Categories: Entertainment, News, Schenectady County

SCHENECTADY — Save Our Streets will roll out the red carpet for the premiere of the film “Black Panther” on Feb. 16.

The event will take place at Bow Tie Cinemas on State Street with a 220-seat theater being rented out for the event, according to Save our Streets co-founder William Rivas. He said people even plan on arriving in limos before strolling on the red carpet on their way into the theater.

Rivas said they created the event not only to bring the community together, but to show children in the black community there is a superhero out there that looks just like them. The title character is played by Chadwick Boseman.

“It brings a good perspective for the youth and empowers them to see someone like them achieve some of the things [the Black Panther] achieves,” Rivas said.

Rivas, who calls himself a DC comics “geek”, emphasized the fact this is the first film where the lead role is played by a black superhero. The movie also has a black director and a predominantly black cast.

Being a comic book fan, Rivas said he heard about the film featuring the Marvel Comics superhero a while ago and has been anticipating its release.

“It’s been great to wait for [the movie] and see it’s here,” Rivas said.

People must purchase tickets in order to see the film, but Rivas has also requested that people purchase tickets and donate them to kids who otherwise would not be able to afford to see the movie.

Rivas said approximately 100 seats have been donated.

There will also be a community discussion about the movie hosted at the Hearst Education Center at Proctors on Feb. 17.

On the event’s Facebook page, it says kids who bring their report card to the movie will get in free. Rivas said he was asked if he would turn away kids who have a bad report card, but he said just the opposite would happen. With various community leaders who are planning on attending the movie, there’s a good chance the movie premiere could be a positive experience for those students.

“It’s better to let the young man in because the people that can help him are in that room,” Rivas said.

This event coincides with a similar event happening on Feb. 16 at the Regal Cinemas at Colonie Center hosted by community activists in Albany.

Laquisha Rucker, one of the event’s organizers, said their event is already sold out. She said the movie and event is a “representation of black excellence.” She also said many of her friends and family who do outreach in the Albany community can relate to the characters in the movie.

“We are all trying to be our own superheros,” Rucker said.

The event at Bow Tie Cinema is not sold out yet, Rivas said. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by contacting Rivas on Facebook. Money is due by Feb. 1, according to the event’s Facebook page.

Rivas said they are also still looking for donations.

“The more donations that come in, the more we can spend on the people,” Rivas said.