Although badly burned and wounded, both 35-year-old master carpenter Billy Weston, who had built Taliesin, and landscape gardener David Lindblom managed to escape with Fritz. The movie Burning Sands is about a fraternity hazing gone wrong. The story was national news for weeks when 15 defendants were originally charged. Since 1969 there has been at least one death every year caused by hazing practices in the United States. [4], Burning Sands received positive reviews from film critics. His last words to Apollo are "GO! Are we perpetuating the cycles of violence and hazing just because it was done to us? But again, I think theres a way to start that conversation and create a film that shows why BGLOs are great and not the bad stereotypes. The film set out to address hazing in BGLOs, and it didbut with exaggerations and inconsistencies. Waking to a new world could be his death. 39 square miles). Burning Sands is an American drama movie directed by Gerard McMurray, from a screenplay by McMurray and Christine Berg, and starring Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole, DeRon Horton, and Trevante Rhodes. Getting the definition across is really important.. Our HBCUs and BGLO are very important in this country. Judges in the US have been in fraternities, most of our presidents have been in a fraternity and theres leniency, theres a feeling that these are good kids., I helped conduct a survey for Alfred University and the National Collegiate Athletics Association. The world can be a cruel place and growing up as a black man or woman is exponentially harder. 2:54. Yes, I did lose 15 pounds off my 130-pound frame while I pledged. Hell Week is the period that culminates one's pledging process. Unfortunately for Zurich and his line brothers, the fraternitys overzealous upperclassmen are power-drunk bullies who sadistically torture them at every turn. And this movie really promotes brotherhood. I feel like that balances me out. To be sure, the extreme cruelty of campus hazing isnt a new cinematic topic; just last year, Andrew Neels Goat provided a bracing first-person view of the traumas inflicted by (in that instance, white) students against their younger compatriots in the name of macho camaraderie. But now as a parent of a teenage daughter who will enter college in three years, I understand the point that had to be made. Customer SatisfactionCustomer SupportHigh End ProductsSecured Transactions. It just means you went through a tough process. More so disappointed. He said that the film was inspired by the death of a student and that he wants to. For example, African-American scholar, Dr. John Hope Franklin, in his autobiography, Mirror to America, documented . It goes back to the adage of who polices the police? In this case, I will be referring to Frank Zhang, our favorite son of Mars! But unlikeBurning Sands, the musically driven movie portrays hazing as a rite of passage instead of a life-threatening crossroad. I wasn't really offended. Given that Burning Sands takes place at Frederick Douglass University, its apt that Douglasss prose is a constant presence, be it in dialogue between Zurich and Hughes, or in Zurichs own narration. Pledging a fraternity or sorority is not the same as hazing. The first chapter, The Chef, features an individual who needs your help for a variety of unusual tasks. Its similar to someone who makes it through college with a 4.0 but gets into the professional world and lacks the drive, hustle and professionalism to be successful. Hazing is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Besides to my dad being part of Omega Psi Phi, my mom, aunts and cousins are all members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (former U.S. attorney general Loretta Lynch and tennis legend Wilma Rudolph are members). "I include step dancing and the Greek brotherhood just like School Daze," McMurray said. In BURNING SANDS, Zurich (Trevor Jackson) is a new student at Frederick Douglas University who is trying to survive as a fraternity pledge during "Hell Week.""Hell Week" is a time when fraternity pledges are made to endure a plethora of humiliations from fraternity brothers -- if Zurich can make it through "Hell Week," he will be a member of one of the most prestigious fraternities on campus . I was excited but nervous, McMurray said. Aaron Paxton Arnold is a keynote speaker, national media contributor and founder of MusicIsMyBusiness. 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Some individuals, once they become part of these organizations, do develop an elitist attitude. Like records, traditions are meant to be broken, especially when it involves violence that can lead to serious injury and death. Get this thrilling post-apocalyptic series and see what lies Across Burning Sands. As a member of a BGLO and a graduate of an HBCU, I felt cheated. In 2012, he was named one of 125 top alumni in Florida A&M University's 125-year history. The 1988 comedic drama School Daze, which Lee wrote and directed, follows the hazing rituals of the fictional Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity. Lauren Babb, American University '14, former member of Delta Sigma Theta. Jackson and McMurray talked to Rotten Tomatoes about the film here are seven Burning Sandsrevelations they shared. Six of the nine would be founded at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and all of them are collectively referred to as the Divine Nine. Kingdoms are the main locations of the game that the player can build and manage a castle in. Original . 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. I believe this was absolutely necessary. The first contract I ever negotiated wasnt in corporate America but via my chapter. Burning Sands is pretty straight forward in terms of the plot, but there is a nice twist at towards the end of the film, which is probably when the movie hit its climax. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017, before being released on March 10, 2017, by Netflix. Im not familiar with any films about BGLOs in which black sororities are just as visible as the frats, so I was hoping that Burning Sands would break this trend. Watermarked PDF. It was imperative to prevent anything like this from happening again. Lastly, I believe the film did a good job highlighting some of the challenges you face while pledging, i.e., discretion, maintaining relationships, financial strain, and time management. Earth is dying and humanity's only hope of survival will be somewhere among the stars. Now that Jackson has proven he can be portray dramatic roles, hes ready to tackle a comedy or two, he said. What is the Spanish language plot outline for Burning Sands (2017)? Generations have benefited from the Divine Nines leadership, scholarship and charity. Burning Sands takes place at a fictitious HBCU, Frederick Douglass University, during the Lambda Phi fraternity's Hell Week. In order to be a part of BGLO, there are academic requirements that must be met, meaning while there is a possibility your grades could slip during the pledging phase, there is still a large portion of your focus that must remain dedicated to your education. Because two Virginia State University students died while being hazed four years ago, administrators were all too happy to have McMurray use the schools campus for the movie. What do you think the film did well?I would like to applaud the director for taking on such a controversial topic and shedding light on to the consequences of pledging gone wrong. It sent the message that when you join Greek Letter Organizations you fail in your classes, which is also not true. BGLO's are a big component of the culture but not all of it. What would you have changed about the film?I would have made it less about the parties and girls, more about brotherhood, academia, and leadership. From Zurichs alienation from his father (whose texts he wont return), to his strained relationship with the girlfriend (Imani Hakim) who disapproves of his frat dreams, to his feelings of obligation to the dean (Steve Harris) who helped get him a spot on Lambdas pledge roster, Burning Sands uses standard narrative conventions to forward a subtle, but powerful, point about racial equality. During the movie, two Frederick Douglass quotes are repeated: Its easier to build strong children than to repair broken men, and, If there is no struggle, there is no progress. These quotes are on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet still meet at a crossroads, showing the dichotomy of black Greek life. Armando Villa (2014): Died after being forced to hike barefooted through the Angeles Mountains However, March 9 was a much bigger deal for me because it was the 50th anniversary of the day my dad crossed the burning sands of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at Florida A&M University (FAMU). [3] It was released on March 10, 2017, by Netflix. The movie leaves you feeling empty, like there's no real meaning behind it all, and that's the whole point; it's just like the hazing death that it portrays. It was amazing watching these two actors I grew up watching on TV. These organizations bring people together, make change in the world, and give you a bond that you cant find anywhere. Burning Sands is a workmanlike but unavoidably predictable yarn about the perils of college fraternity hazing.The fact that, this time, the setting is an all-black school really doesn't change . Adams started with Beneath Burning Sands with the very early awakening of a mixed group of scientists and military personnel put together by by our all seeing military mind which had the idea of human survival and of course our military survival. As a member of a sorority, I know how important campus involvement is and how much seeing women in my sorority have leadership roles on campus impacted my decision to seek membership. If youve seen season 2 of American Crime,you know the 20-year-old actor has a commanding presence. You have a community that depends on you to serve. Judges in the US have been in fraternities, most of our presidents have been in a fraternity and theres leniency, theres a feeling that these are good kids. big brothers beating Frank until he 02:15 falls to the ground and starts foaming 02:17 at the mouth you know Frank the action 02:20 ceases as everyone realizes that Frank 02:23 needs. Burning Sandsis available to watch on Netflix. You can make a man (or woman) work hard for something and allow them to keep their dignity. It's tough to watch because I was in the shoes of those pledges, but it's something I vowed to never partake in once I was a member. In January, the University of Oregon strength coach was suspended after pushing three players too hard, thus forcing them to be hospitalized. It was a very creative and collaborative process.. How do you feel about the way in which Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) and the HBCU experience were portrayed in this movie?I believe BGLOs and the HBCU experience was portrayed as very superficial. There are some who are attracted to the parties and boisterousness of particular organizations. All rights reserved. Following 1908, there would be four more black fraternities and three more black sororities created, all boasting their own illustrious history, members and contributions to American and world history. What do you think the film did well?Nothing really. Be sure to include what name you would like to be credited with! Theres a kind of effect where because you have endured this the next guy is certainly going to endure it, which is another reason why it doesnt stop theres always this need to do it at least one more time.. At Alfred University, after a studentwas beaten and after a pledge died of alcohol poisoning, they banned the entire Greek system, but they still have hazing in the football team and a guy nearly died following the ban. Read what each of them took away from Burning Sands in the interviews, below. It emphasized the false perception that hazing is at the heart of Greek Organizations, when really at the core is a strong bond of love, sisterhood, and brotherhood. One of the great things about pledging for me was that I learned the true meaning of humility, which has taken me far in my life and career. They want people to see it, especially students, and think about the repercussions of hazing, McMurray said. Burning Sands Area 10 is the tenth stage in Ashvini Desert . But there are more reasons to stream this movie than its impressive cast. Black fraternities and sororities are without question a huge part of the black college experience now as it was for most of the 20th century. Hi, my friends! Burning Sands: Jihad is the first setting supplement for Burning Wheel Revised, and is based on Frank Herbert's Dune, with a nod to modern politics.Salt is melange, the Mahdi-Emperor is Paul, the Sisterhood is the Bene Gesserit, and the Syndicate is the Guild. 1.6K 108K views 5 years ago We speak to the director and cast of Netflix's Burning Sands about what happened at the end of the movie, and what it's all about. It's important to embody those values to empower pledgees so that these same problematic practices don't continue. Trevor Duffy (2014): Died of acute alcohol poisoning when forced to down 1.5litres of vodka. Praneet Karki (2015): Died of exertion during extreme physical hazing. If creating a call to action about hazing was the motive, then why was the rest of the film pretty negative as well? That topic is of similar concern to the latest original feature from Netflix, Burning Sands, albeit in a manner thats as unexpected as it is intriguing. Price: $3.99 USD. Branden Bufford, Howard University '11, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands?I was disgusted by the process, but also not naive to that the fact that somenot allof these activities still take place. The film is based on the personal experiences of the writer-director Gerard McMurray, and was inspired by Robert Champion, the FAMU drum major killed in a hazing ritual in Orlando, Florida. I was mostly let down by the lack of visibility of black sororities in the movie. There are some colleges that dont have those groups but they still have hazing in their athletics groups. Hank Nuwer, author of Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking, explains to i why students willingly take part in hazing rituals. Jackson said he chose this project to convey a message. Not only is hazing illegal, but the practice has claimed the lives of far too many young men and women across college campuses all over America, including historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Some 1,600 homes and buildings have been destroyed. Trusted Your donation is protected by the While others may deem it as a negative, I actually liked the way the film ended. black Greek life and mystique are based on secrecy and discretion. From the film's overtly dark tone, it is safe to assume McMurray is critical of the most brutal hazing rituals, even if he glorifies them with his camera. I didnt know how I would handle a woman of her caliber. Critics often say the Divine Nine creates elitism among African-Americans on college campuses. What are your thoughts on that?If you watch it, you can tell that the motive was to call out hazing, which is fine, and I believe that conversation is needed. But the nuances are unique and so is the way I tell the story. I had great trepidation before I watched Netflixs new movie Burning Sands. [1] In January 2017, Common boarded the film as an executive producer and will contribute an original song to the film. While Burning Sands, which premiered this month on Netflix, is an intense, well-acted look at hazing in the world of black Greek fraternities, it never quite seems to be sure what it wants to. Black fraternities and sororities on campuses provide images of young black men and women that mainstream media dont show. Leticia Hunt, Tuskegee University '12, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. I understand hazing is illegal, but they didnt deserve to get charged for manslaughter over a tradition that started decades ago. If you're able, e-mail us scans at no less than 600 dpi in a high-quality format at LBS.Remastered@gmail.com. Burning Sands is a movie about this group of young college freshmen who want to get into this fraternity and have to go through one week of humiliation by its members. Information Japanese Version Information Location Information Battleground 6 Wild Doges spawn after 8 seconds 240f, delay 16.67~20 seconds 500f~600f. Most took plea deals. Maya Alena Allen, Howard University '15, Alpha Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands? They hurried a. Black Hands Black Heart. What do you think the film did well?I think people went into the film wanting to be entertained by the HBCU/BGLO experience, but instead, they were educated. 'Burning Sands' Explores the Terrors of Hazing and the Legacy of Slavery TRAUMA Gerard McMurray's ('Fruitvale Station') new Netflix film, premiering March 10th, follows five black men navigating. Fits Perfect. Zurich is joined in his fraternity quest by four mates, only two of whomangrier Frank (Tosin Cole) and nerdy Square (DeRon Horton)are really defined by McMurray and Christine Bergs screenplay. Blavity. The film did not depict how BGLOs run their organizations or the principles of public service or scholarship. However, creating a film like this puts the director between a rock and a hard place, because while he is addressing very real issues of hazing and people seeking membership in BGLOs for superficial reasons, to truly address every aspect of the situation would require him to reveal confidential details of the process of pursuing membership in these organizations. For prospective initiates, it's okay to stand up for what is wrong. Marquise Francis, Syracuse University '13, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. How do you feel about the way in which BGLOs experience was portrayed in this movie?I feel like the BGLOs were portrayed as very one-dimensional. I think much of that comes from the lack of character development in the film. Instead, it's a cautionary tale about the dangers of hazing. They inspired other young blacks to go to college and even provided college scholarships to high school students. The dark tone of the film is not surprising. Love for Black Fraternities and Sororities, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (USD $), Kappa Alpha Psi Crimson Golf Stand Bag - COMING SOON, Kappa Alpha Psi Cream Golf Stand Bag - COMING SOON, Alpha Phi Alpha Half Zip Pullover Sweater. Particular organizations film was inspired by the death of a student and that he wants.... Serious issue that needs to be hospitalized Zurich and his line brothers, the University Oregon... Power-Drunk bullies who sadistically torture them at every turn are attracted to the film pretty negative as?! Address hazing in BGLOs, and it didbut with exaggerations and inconsistencies this to! 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