Riverbend (1989) – 6K Restoration Philadelphia Premiere

Reelblack presents the Philadelphia premiere of the brand-new 6K restoration of Riverbend (1989) on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM at PFS East.

Directed by Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja 1 & 2) and starring Steve James (I’m Gonna Git You Sucka) and Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), Riverbend is a long-lost independent Black action film centered on three Black Vietnam soldiers who arrive in a small Southern town and organize the local community to confront systemic injustice. Suppressed after its original release, the film has circulated in obscurity for more than 35 years.

This screening marks the return of Reelblack Presents, the influential Philadelphia screening series, and the launch of Reelblack Renaissance, a new boutique Blu-ray label dedicated to restoring lost classics of Black independent cinema. The restoration was created from a 6K scan of the original 35mm elements and marks the first time the film has been available in any format in over three decades.

Director Sam Firstenberg, along with cast members Julius Tennon, Alex Morris, and Vanessa Tate, will appear for a post-film Q&A moderated by The Micheaux Mission.

🎟️ Tickets: https://filmadelphia.org/movies/riverbend