Beverly Hills, CA — "Close Up in Black: African-American Film Posters" a unique and extensive collection of film posters from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will go on display at the California African American Museum in August.

Through the visually engaging posters from the Edward Mapp Collection in the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library, "Close Up in Black" chronicles the journey of American actors, directors, writers, designers, camera crews, technicians and graphic artists who fell in love with a medium and brought their talents to its service. Because many of these artists lived during and through times of social, political and cultural segregation, "Close Up in Black" illuminates the journey of a nation as well as an art form. The posters in the exhibition, originally designed for promotion and publicity, showcase the opulent energy and glamour of the movies, even as they reveal our cultural history.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Academy will screen two musicals, "Hallelujah" and "Carmen Jones" each an example of the ways African Americans were portrayed in studio films of their respective eras.

"Hallelujah" (1929) tells the melodramatic tale of a Southern field hand's struggle to become a virtuous preacher. Directed and produced by King Vidor, "Hallelujah" will be presented in a new sepia-toned print, made to replicate the film's original release print

"Carmen Jones" (1954) stars Dorothy Dandridge in her landmark Oscar-nominated performance. The cast also includes Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey and Roy Glenn.

"Close Up in Black" will continue at the California African-American Museum through October.

If You Go
What: "Close Up in Black: African-American Film Posters"
Where: 600 State Drive in Exposition Park.
When: Aug. 7 - Oct. 11.
Admission and Parking: Free, parking $6
Call: 213-744-7432
Website: www.caam.ca.gov.

"Hallelujah" and "Carmen Jones": 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. Cost: $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. For more information call 310-247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.