One-Night-Only Event Celebrates Restoration by Reelblack Renaissance
WHAT: The American Cinematheque presents the long-awaited Los Angeles premiere of RIVERBEND (1989), screening from a pristine, never-before-projected 35mm print discovered in Amazon MGM’s vaults. Long unavailable except on worn VHS tapes, this bold, action-driven drama about three Black Vietnam soldiers leading a Southern town to rise against a racist sheriff has been virtually unseen for 35 years.
This one-night-only event marks a milestone in the film’s ongoing restoration by Reelblack Renaissance, a Philadelphia-based boutique distributor dedicated to preserving and re-releasing overlooked Black cinema. A full 6K restoration is currently underway, with a theatrical and Blu-ray release planned for early 2026.
WHO:
Scheduled to attend:
· Margaret Avery (Oscar nominee, The Color Purple)
· Julius Tennon (G20, The Woman King)
· Alex Morris (Malcolm in the Middle, Baskets)
· Debbi James, daughter of the late Steve James (Riverbend’s star)
· Sam Firstenberg, director (American Ninja)
· Valerie Vance, co-producer and uncredited co-writer
· Michael J. Dennis, Executive Producer of the restoration and founder of Reelblack Renaissance
· Aaron Kai, poster artist
· Additional cast, crew, and special guests
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
7:30 PM (screening start time)
WHERE:
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90403
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SYNOPSIS: Set in 1966, RIVERBEND follows three Black Vietnam soldiers, led by action legend Steve James (American Ninja), who escape a corrupt court-martial and find refuge in a segregated Georgia town. There, they discover a community living in fear under a brutal sheriff (Tony Frank) and are persuaded by a widowed woman, powerfully portrayed by Oscar nominee Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), to help. The soldiers train the townspeople to rise up and fight back—launching a rebellion that cannot be ignored. ABOUT THE FILM: Conceived by Samuel and Valerie Vance, RIVERBEND was independently financed and shot on location near Dallas, Texas. Directed by action specialist Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo) and starring Steve James and Margaret Avery, the film was distributed on VHS in 1990 but quickly disappeared, overshadowed by Hollywood’s preference for more conventional racial dramas like Mississippi Burning. For decades, it survived only through bootleg tapes and word-of-mouth until its rediscovery by Reelblack founder Michael J. Dennis. With support from MissingMovies.org and co-producer Valerie Vance, the original negatives were recovered, along with a pristine 35mm print never before projected. This Aero Theatre event marks the first time Los Angeles audiences will see RIVERBEND as it was meant to be experienced—on the big screen, in 35mm, with its cast and creators present. WHY IT MATTERS: A lost gem of Black independent cinema, RIVERBEND is more than just an action film—it is a story of resistance, community, and empowerment. Once buried and nearly forgotten, the film now returns to the big screen after 35 years, affirming its place in the canon of American cinema. |