Actor and director Mario Van Peebles will be in downtown Mobile next month for the Gulf Coast premiere of his film Armed, with proceeds from the screening supporting the restoration of one of Alabama’s most historically significant Black congregations.
The premiere is set for Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Mobile. Van Peebles will attend as guest of honor and take questions from the audience following the screening. Broussard’s Piano Gallery is hosting the event.
A Black History Month Benefit
Organizers are staging the premiere as a Black History Month celebration, with proceeds directed to the restoration work and outreach ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. The church, on Donald Street in the Toulminville community, was established in 1854 and is described as the oldest Black Episcopal congregation in Alabama.
About the Film
Armed stars William Fichtner, Ryan Guzman, Columbus Short and Jemma Dallender alongside Van Peebles, who also directs. The story follows Chief, played by Van Peebles, a former U.S. Marshal contending with personal setbacks and a health crisis that he comes to believe may point toward a larger conspiracy.
Familiar Ground for the Director
Van Peebles has worked in Mobile before. He directed USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, which was filmed in the city and starred Nicolas Cage. His television credits include the remake of the miniseries Roots, featuring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode, along with episodes of Empire, The Last Ship, Sons of Anarchy, Lost, Damages and Boss.
General admission tickets are $15 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18, at the Saenger box office.
Three Nights of Events
The Saenger premiere caps a three-night run of events built around Van Peebles’ visit. The weekend opens Thursday, January 31, with a black-tie gathering at Heron Lakes Country Club. On Friday night, a musical evening at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd will debut a new high-end digital pipe organ the congregation acquired from Broussard Music in Mobile. The weekend also serves as the kickoff for the church’s rebranding and rebuilding effort, which organizers hope will make the historic congregation a focal point for arts and music in the community.