Screening “Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles” at the Historic Bell Baptist Church is an educational story for younger generations, as well as a contemporary one about the success of a 1987 Hahnville High graduate.
“Kunta Kinteh is a great piece,” said Elvin Ross, a Hahnville native, who directed and composed the music for the documentary.
Currently a resident of Los Angeles, Ross is owner and executive producer of e.ross Studios. The documentary is his first production involving both directing and composing.
Ross met with Kinteh’s family in Africa, who recounted Kunta’s abduction into slavery that became author Alex Haley’s famed book, “Roots” and a television series. The Kinteh family still lives in the village where Kunta was born in The Gambia, West Africa, which is explained in the movie that features actor Ben Vereen, who played the character Chicken George in the original Roots television series.
Ross’ film aired locally March 28 at the church, located at 300 Hackberry St. in Luling.
“It’s paying homage to the Kinteh family and allowing them to tell their story candidly,” Ross said. “It’s an educational piece, that not only the Kinteh family has embraced, but also the Alex Haley family.”
Ross said he was compelled to tell the story to serve as a bridge – from Roots to Kinteh Island to younger generations.
“We’re very proud of it and hope everyone really enjoys it and spreads the word,” he said. “It’s a heritage piece and I’m especially glad to show it in my hometown.”
Ross expressed gratitude to church Pastor Rodney Johnson for guiding him as a young musician that ultimately put him on the path to becoming a professional musician and composer.
“We’ve remained friends over the years,” he said. “I am grateful for him helping steering me on this path.”
Ross’ interest was always music.
[pullquote]“It’s paying homage to the Kinteh family and allowing them to tell their story candidly.”– Elvin Ross[/pullquote]He spent a lot of time performing with the HHS band, as well as numerous churches including Bethlehem and True Vine Baptist churches, as well as Philadelphia Baptist Church where he spent considerable time with his mother. He learned piano from her, as well as got needed inspiration to take his gift to the next level.
“She is very instrumental in me becoming a musician,” he said.
When Ross struck out on his own, he met Tyler Perry, an actor, playwright, filmmaker and comedian, who asked him to become the music composer on his productions. He wrote music for “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” and “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” as well as many television shows and plays.
Ross has been the weekly composer for the TBS/Tyler Perry Studios television sitcoms “House of Payne,” “Meet the Browns” and “For Better Or Worse.” In 2008 and 2009, ASCAP honored him with the ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for the music from “House of Payne.” ASCAP presented the prestigious award to him again in 2010 and 2011 for the music from “Meet The Browns,” and he recently received the same acclaim for Perry’s ”For Better Or Worse.”
He has been the composer for Perry’s “The Haves and The Have Nots,” “Love Thy Neighbor” and “If Loving You Is Wrong.”
Ross will also help develop a music division with the Areu Brothers Studios in Atlanta. He’ll help develop a recording label and help it become the first major production facility for film and TV, as well as partner with universities to bring in and nurture aspiring entertainers.
“It’s huge,” Ross said.
For his mother, Frozine Francis, also of Hahnville, the realization of her son’s dream is “a wonderful thing.”
When her then ninth-grade son told her he was going to make movies, Francis admitted to wondering about that goal a bit.
But, these days, she’s just glowing about Ross, as well as his many achievements in living his dream. She was instrumental in the documentary being screened at the Historic Bell Baptist Church.
“I am so proud to have him as my son,” Francis said. “I would like to encourage parents to don’t ever doubt your children. Push them in that direction.”
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