Great topic with lots of potential. Unfortunately this documentary falls short in several areas. The production values (esp. cinematography/lighting and sound) are low quality. The interviewees were not well researched, or screened. We would all like to do a documentary starring our friends and family, but sometimes we need to be more subjective about who we put in front of the camera. Talking heads is NEVER fun, nor interesting, to watch. Where are the pictures, location shots, etc? The narrator/interviewer was a very poor choice. He’s not a good “voice” for the subject. Documentaries often take years to make, when done properly, because they require RESEARCH, and funding, and they require gathering visual documentation that would make the film more interesting and compelling. I can tell that this was a fly-by film-- made with an earnest desire to answer a question, but produced without the energy, resources, and dedication needed to create a worthwhile film.

Go back to the drawing board. Find actual film professionals (cinematographers, production sound guys, an editor, a producer or two, a director, etc.), get a better narrator (or scrap the idea of having a narrator altogether), write a treatment, get some funding, do loads of research, find better subjects to interview, and focus your thesis. Take this video from a home movie, to a festival quality, ground breaking film. Right now, though, a documentary poorly directed, produced, written and narrated by black men discussing ‘vanishing black males’ is much too ironic. I’d love to see this revisited in a few years.

Great topic with lots of potential. Unfortunately this documentary falls short in several areas. The production values (esp. cinematography/lighting and sound) are low quality. The interviewees were not well researched, or screened. We would all like to do a documentary starring our friends and family, but sometimes we need to be more subjective about who we put in front of the camera. Talking heads is NEVER fun, nor interesting, to watch. Where are the pictures, location shots, etc? The narrator/interviewer was a very poor choice. He’s not a good “voice” for the subject. Documentaries often take years to make, when done properly, because they require RESEARCH, and funding, and they require gathering visual documentation that would make the film more interesting and compelling. I can tell that this was a fly-by film-- made with an earnest desire to answer a question, but produced without the energy, resources, and dedication needed to create a worthwhile film.

Go back to the drawing board. Find actual film professionals (cinematographers, production sound guys, an editor, a producer or two, a director, etc.), get a better narrator (or scrap the idea of having a narrator altogether), write a treatment, get some funding, do loads of research, find better subjects to interview, and focus your thesis. Take this video from a home movie, to a festival quality, ground breaking film. Right now, though, a documentary poorly directed, produced, written and narrated by black men discussing ‘vanishing black males’ is much too ironic. I’d love to see this revisited in a few years.

Peace be with you!
I am so grateful for the making of this film.  I’m twenty-four years old and I know that my place on earth is to do something ... something good, and something for someone else.  This film touched me deeply and I not only feel more self worth than I’ve ever felt, but I have a sense of duty to my self, my people, and to my God.  Thank you for inspiring me.  May God bless you and may others be very blessed and fortunate to see this film.

Hello,
I am Hisani DuBose the writer/producer of the Vanishing Black Male. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has commented on our documentary. We shot this with no money, only a belief that these questions needed to be asked. We are presently raising money to shoot an urban superhero drama. Our superhero rescues abused children. If you would like to be on our email list drop a line to:sevgenprod@aol.com.
You are all wonderful!
Thanks again

Has it occurred to anyone that a probably ninety percent of black males are homosexual and cannot reproduce with another man. If black men straighten up and face the reality that homosexuality and gay sex is accumulating AIDS and that they are dying from it, wiping out the race with their own immoral acts.  I believe homosexuality is the number one reason.  Second I believe is gangbanging and senseless killing, instead of forming an organization that makes money in a legal way and invest in property and education and family and community and help each other instead of trying to punk each other out.  I pray everyday for all of our people.  Homosexuality is an evil spirit and I believe that continuing to pray and by them asking GOD for forgiveness and to guide them in the right direction things will begin to change. I pray for my own issues too and I pray to GOD for insight and that I can live his way and do his will.  I believe that a lot of people need to hear this as a message from GOD sent through someone that loves our race and I have to speak the truth about the burden that’s in my heart. This is not meant as an attack on anyone but to help shed some light on the reality of what’s going on in our race and what most seem to be avoiding. Thank you

Great story.  Excellent resource of people.

Fantastic documentary. It should be required viewing for every high school and college student, as well as by every incarcerated male, especially African-Americans. Dr. William H. Cosby Jr. (aka Bill Cosby) has written an excellent book aptly called “Come on People,” which covers many of these same topics. I hope this young filmmaker has not received the same undue criticism from the Black community for speaking out about the crises we are facing and what we need to do to turn things around. I hope everyone who watches this is motivated to become positive activists for their communities.

I appreciate this documentary but sadly we’ve carried this message for over 40 years. Perhaps you will have more success than we of the 60’s & 70’s era.
My lifetime is coming to an end and folks haven’t gotten this message yet…

Well done documentary, you really should get this out to as many people as possible. Especialy in these economic times. I will be telling all my friends and family about this documentary. This needs to be better marketed so that it can be massed marketed. You should send this documentary to the Oprah Winfrey show. This story needs to be TOLD and LISTEN to by the African American communities as well as the rest of the world. This needs to be shown in every school in the U.S., so that our young men know that HOPE still exist.

Thank you for inspiring me to get involved with my community.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Thank You.  I will tell everyone I know to check this out.  The information is both mind blowing and powerful.  My children will see this movie too.

Oscar winner documentary in my book.  This should be viewed by every black man,woman,and child in America.
The word EXTINCT in the Webster’s Dictionary is; no longer existing; extingushed.  Exist is; To have actual being of reality; to LIVE.  Extingushed is; To put an end to; to put out; to make EXTINCT.  Our thoughts determiner our destiny.  our destiny determines our legacy...(remember) you are today wher your thoughts have broughts you. You will be tomorrow wher your thoughts take you.  I say this to say what have we done TODAY to help our young black stay in existing?  If you think education is expensive the cost of ignorance?  Education is only expensive if you don’t use it.

This documentary was undoubtably the most informative, well thought out interview that I’ve seen in a while.  What a remarkable young man to do this.  It was great, and thank you for doing it!

Everyone who has a son should watch this. Perhaps it would help people work harder to make sure young Black males have a chance in life!

This is a great documentary. Its not against black men like I thought it would be. Its more interesting than the one on CNN.
Kudos!