Countdown at Kusini (Columbia Pictures) (1976)

BLACK SORORITY MEMBERS RESPONSIBLE FOR “COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI’”’ “Countdown at Kusini,’ the topical action drama _ opening iebeicinteeas Wt te Theatre, represents a_ totally new approach to film financing. Its backers are the 85,000 members of Delta Sigma Theta, the largest and most influential black sorority in the world. A Columbia Pictures release, “Countdown at Kusini’’ stars Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Greg Morris in the drama of an attempt to kidnap and eliminate an African revolutionary _ leader. Directed by Davis from a screenplay which he co-authored with John Storm Roberts and AI Freeman, Jr. and based on the original novel ‘Countdown at Kusini,’ by John Storm Roberts, the film was shot in and around Lagos, capital city of Nigeria. The plot parallels recent and continuing events on the African continent. The movie itself is newsworthy as the first American production filmed entirely in Africa by professional black American filmmakers. What prompted an_ organization of 85,000 women to plunge into the unpredictable waters of movie-making? According to Mrs. Lillian P. Benbow, the sorority’s Immediate Past President and the Executive Producer of “Countdown at Kusini,”” the motivation was to combine a fast-paced suspense story with “ideological values for the growing black family audience and white movie-goers as well, who are sated with racism as a production value.” The character of Red Salter, played by Greg Morris, typifies the film’s approach. As a touring Afro-American jazz musician, he is at first far more interested in attractive revolutionary agent Ruby Dee’s charms than _ her politics. But as the moments tick down to the kidnap attempt at Kusini, he is drawn into the struggle of his freedom-fighter friends and risks his life in their behalf. While “Countdown at Kusini”’ is Delta Sigma Theta’s first motion picture project — through its recently-formed subsidiary, DST Telecommunications, Inc. — the organization has a long, successful history in entertainment and the arts. Among its members are such music world luminaries as Lena PUBLICITY Horne, Leontyne Price, Roberta Flack and Leslie Uggams. It was on the “Delta Circuit,” an entertainment link between the sorority’s 234 chapters, that Leontyne Price first gained public acclaim. Lena Horne credited at least 50% of the book sales of her autobiography to the sorority’s enthusiastic support. Other members of Delta Sigma Theta include Congresswomen Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisholm and Edith Green; Sara-Alice Wright, the Executive Director of the YWCA; Patricia Harris, our former Ambassador to Luxem CK-/ bourg, and scores of national and community leaders. Now, in addition to their other activities, they can claim new titles —— as motion picture ‘“‘angels.”’ at the Actor-writer-director Ossie Davis stars as an African revolutionary leader in “Countdown at Kusini,”” opening contemporary action-adventure film, a Columbia Pictures release, co-stars Ruby Dee and Greg Morris. EXPLOITATION INTRODUCTION COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI is a unique motion picture...in more ways than one. Delta Sigma Theta means unparalled promotional support wherever the picture Its romantic and adventurous story is set against the struggle for control of anemergplays. f= ing African state. In the most literal sense, it springs right out of today’s headlines. Among the organization’s 85,000 members — linked to the four-million-strong It is the first motion picture made in Africa by professional black American filmNational Council of Negro Women — are these famous personalities: makers, including gifted actor-director-writer Ossie Davis and stars Ruby Dee and ENTERTAINMENT GOVERNMENT Greg Morris (the personable hero of ‘‘Mission: Impossible’’). Lena Horne Congresswoman Barbara Jordan In a fresh approach to film finance, it was produced by the communications wing of _ Leontyne Price Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm Delta Sigma Theta, the national sorority to which many of the most celebrated women Nancy Wilson Congresswoman Edith Green in education, government, entertainment and the arts belong. Roberta Flack Sara-Alyce Wright (Executive Director of the YWCA) Ossie Davis portrays Ernest Motapo, dedicated leader of a ‘‘ third world” revoluLeslie Uggams Barbara Watson (Former Assistant Secretary of State) Ambassador Patricia Harris (Former American Ambassador to Luxembourg) tionary movement. To Motapo’s followers, including beautiful Ruby Dee, nothing Ruby Dee means more than his survival. To the mercenary army of Colonel Ben Amed (Tom Judith Jamison Aldredge, all that matters is finding Motapo...and eliminating him. THE MEDIA Into this incendiary power game happens Greg Morris as a touring Afro-American Charlayne Hunter (New York Times Correspondent) jazz pianist. He is far more interested in Ruby Dee’s charms than her politics. But in revolution-wracked Africa, it isn’t easy to stay aloof...or even alive. If Motapo is to be removed, the opportunity will come at Kusini, a sleepy way-station on the railroad line. That is where the fate of a new nation will be decided...in a hail of machine gun bullets. If COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI had been produced in traditional fashion, it would Mrs. John Johnson (wife of the publisher of Ebony, Jet and other leading magazines) Add to this impressive list sixteen state legislators, fifteen city councilwomen, the first black woman to head The Girl Scouts of America, plus community leaders in virtually every major city in the United States. COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI is their movie. They are determined to do everything still be a crackling, topical, highly-exploitable thriller. But the deep involvement of DELTA SIGMA THETA IS WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU Start by contacting your nearest Delta Sigma Theta Chapter. Let them know when you will play COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI and how they can contribute to your promotion effort. Since the Deltas are the film’s investors, they should be given “‘first night’’ priorities. For the names of key personnel, and the telephone number and address of the Delta chapter in you community, simply place a call to DST Telecommunications in New York City. The number is: Area code (212) 354-7680 Or if you prefer to write, address your letter to: DST Telecommunications 45 West 45th Street New York, New York Suite 803 Keep in mind that Delta Sigma Theta has 524 chapters in 45 states, affiliated with the National Council of Negro Women and the Pan-Hellenic Council. That means more that eight million women, across the country, with a vested interest in making the movie a hit As community leaders, they are experienced in turning out crowds for worthwhile activities and events. Their involvement in church, school, civic and cultural programs can also play a vital role in filling your theatres. Another fact worth noting. The sorority has established the “Delta Circuit,” which stages concerts, plays, lecture series and similar events. It was on the ‘Delta Circuit” that Leontyne Price first gained public acclaim. The “Delta Circuit” is credited with some 50% of the sales of Lena Horne’s autobiography. The “Delta Circuit’”can prove a powerful nucleus of your COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI campaign. A GALA OPENING NIGHT Launch COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI with a gala opening that echoes the importance and excitement of the “first nights’ which Delta Sigma Theta and Columbia Pictures are staging across the country. Each Delta chapter will have its own ideas about the most effective way to organize a premiere, based on your market, the timing of your engagement and other factors. What matters most is giving the film a prestigious and exciting send-off that creates impact in the community and merits media coverage. The opening may be organized as a benefit for a Delta-sponsored scholarship program or some equally worthy cause. In which case, ticket prices will be scaled upward in the usual way. It may be an “‘invitational,”’ attended by personalities in public life, education and the arts as Delta’s guests. It may be linked to a dinner or reception, or similar function, hosted by the most prominent Delta alumnus in your community. In any case, as the film’s investors, the Deltas should be given ‘“‘first night” priorities. With Delta’s enthusiastic cooperation, it will be important — generating newspaper space and television exposure, to enhance your engagement of COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES As a sorority, Delta Sigma Theta is entrenched in the educational community. Every major black college and university in America (and many other schools, as well) has a Delta chapter. Its members are on the faculties, and are among the most influential alumnae of these schools. Thousands of grade school, junior high school, and high school teachers are ‘‘Deltas.” They share the concern that led Delta Sigma Theta to finance the production — a desire to blend entertainment with a point-of-view. Within the melodramatic framework of COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI is a lowkey insight into the political and social upheaval presently occurring throughout the ‘“third world’ that has become one of the major news stories of our time. They want young moviegoers — in every age group — to share that insight. Provide your regional Delta chapter with feature stories, stills and other publicity material for publication in both undergraduate and alumni newspapers. Give them posters and display elements for school bulletin boards and campus posting. Work with them on special arrangements for college groups, studying political history, social studies and black studies, to attend performances. Other teachers, on the junior high school and high school levels, can be expected to bring their classes to your theatre or to assign COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI as a uniquely entertaining kind of homework. COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI IN THE NEWS Revolutionary leader Ernest Motapo...the newly independent state of Fahari...the mercenary army of Colonel Ben Amed...all are fiction. But they have their counterparts in the news coming out of Africa virtually every day. Fast-breaking events in Ghana, Uganda, Angola, and Nigeria (where the film was shot) parallel the picture’s plot. Blow up the front page of your local newspaper to poster size, enlarging or circling the latest report from the African conflict. Then splash the title and stars of the picture across the page, in heavy red lettering. Patrons will get the connection — and a sense of the film’s topical impact. COUNTDOWN ON RADIO The “countdown” concept also pegs this radio promotion. Starting one week before your opening, send a theatre employee out on the street, dressed in an unusual, off-beat military uniform. (A local costume house can help you select the right regalia.) He is the “Man from Kusini.”’ Arrange with a local radio personality to announce his whereabouts that day. The first five people who recognize him and give the password, “Seven Days to Kusini,” receive a pair of passes to your engagement on the spot. The next day the password becomes, ‘‘Six Days to Kusini.” And so on, right through to your engagement. It’s a simple, effective way to count down the days to your opening — and build the kind of anticipation that brings out audiences. possible to make it a rousing box-office success. COUNTDOWN — WITH MUSIC (is Sees wv Since Greg Morris plays a touring jazz pianist, whose romance with Ruby Dee involves him in an African revolution, music is a key element in COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI. The on-camera fingerwork is Greg’s. But the pulsating off-camera tones, which grace the sound track, were provided by one of the most brilliant Afro-American musicians of our timey..Manu Dibango. His Atlantic recording of “Soul Makossa” was a gold record winner and he enjoys a legion of enthusiasts. Work with the top rock and black stations in your market to get hefty on-air play for Dibango’s music, linking each record with his contribution to COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI. It’s a powerhouse sound — well worth promoting. COUNTDOWN TO YOUR OPENING Other opportunities to use Delta’s deep-rooted relationships will spring from your meeting with local officers of the sorority. Meanwhile, COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI also rates more traditional showmanship. Follow the theme of the title by creating a poster-size, easel-mounted calendar on which you literally “count down” to Kusini. As you flip to a new page — every day for a week — a fresh provocative teaser line appears. Here are seven such teasers drawn directly from the picture’s plot. 1. THE VILLAGE OF LEDDINE HAS BEEN WIPED OUT, EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD SLAUGHTERED BY COLONEL BEN AMED AND HIS MERCENARIES. SEVEN DAYS TO KUSINI. 2. BEN AMED IS STILL IN AFRICA. POSING AS AN INNOCENT BUSINESSMAN. WARN MOTAPO. SIX DAYS TO KUSINI. 3. LEAH HAS BEEN POISONED. HER CONDITION CRITICAL. WHOSE SIDE IS THE AMERICAN MUSICIAN ON? FIVE DAYS TO KUSINI. 4. MOTAPO TRAVELING INCOGNITO. TWO AGENTS IN FAHARI MURDERED LAST NIGHT. FOUR DAYS TO KUSINI. 5. LEAH AND THE AMERICAN AMBUSHED AT THE LAKE. THERE IS A SPY AMONG US. HE MUST DIE. THREE DAYS TO KUSINI. 6. YOLA BACK FROM FRANCE TO PROTECT MOTAPO. NEED MORE GUNS AND AMMUNITION. THE SPY STILL LIVES. TWO DAYS TO KUSINI. 7. ON THE TRAIN WITH MOTAPO. DESTINATION KUSINI. EVERY MAN AND WOMAN HAS BEEN ISSUED A STEN GUN, A RIFLE OR GRENADES. WE WILL BE FREE OR DEAD. THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN. On the day of your opening, flip to the last page — the COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI one-sheet. The more intriguing you make the calendar, the better the promotion. Use stills from the picture’s most vivid scenes, on each page of your ‘‘countdown”’ calendar, to heighten the effect.