BUT DON’T BELIEVE THEM

A documentary about Black Lives Matter

This 23-minute docu-concert is an artist’s statement from Mark G. Meadows; a black bicultural jazz musician speaking about the Black Lives Matter movement. The film shares Mark’s journey as he communicates through interviews and musical performances his effort to awaken people to the need for equality for black people living in America.

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ABOUT MARK G. MEADOWS:

Jazz pianist/vocalist, actor, music director, composer/arranger, and educator—Mark G. Meadows was awarded Best Jazz Artist of 2020 by Wammies of DC. He was also named Composer of the Year in 2017 and Artist of the Year in 2015 by the Washington City Paper. Mark’s album “To the People” (2016) was awarded Album of the Year by Capitol Bop in Washington, D.C. His release, Be the Change (2019), embodies the change he wishes to see in the world. Pulling from multiple genres, Mark continues to use his artistry to bring forth a positive message of love, joy, and hope to his audiences.

ABOUT MICHAEL IVAN SCHWARTZ:

Producer, director, photographer, podcaster, and owner of Loud Communications based in Baltimore, Maryland—Michael Ivan's music video, Fantasy, was selected for the 2021 London Music Video Festival. In addition to winning Telly and Aurora awards for his non-profit documentary film work, Michael Ivan directed the full length documentary Complicit (2014), awarded 1st prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

“I attended the program But Don’t Believe Them featuring and hosted by Mark G Meadows and Michael Ivan Schwartz with a great deal of “screen fatigue” going into it. My fatigue quickly gave way to interest, emotion, empathy and renewed purpose. But Don’t Believe Them is among the most inspiring and authentic experiences I have had, certainly, during the pandemic but, I would also add, ever. The down to earth eloquence, music and visuals combine to create a work of powerful truth that, because of its honesty and clarity of purpose, was able to touch me in the deepest, truest parts of my being. I urgently recommend this program to anyone interested in making the world a better place for all and to those of us who are interested in being agents for change through personal growth and action.”

– NJ Snider

Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer

American University • Katzen Center for the Arts