Composer

ABEL KORZENIOWSKI

Songwriter

DERNST “D’MILE” EMILE II

MODERATED BY JON BURLINGAME (Variety)

Friday, November 11, 7:00PM PT

Please be mindful of the SCL’s Code of Conduct.

Till tells the heartbreaking true story of the historic lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till — for whistling at a white woman in Money, Mississippi in 1955 — through the eyes of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley. This is what makes the film so compelling, it’s told from the perspective and experience of a Black woman and is co-written and directed by a Black woman.

Mamie Till-Mobley is a widowed single mother who is the head of her household, and the only Black woman working for the Air Force in Chicago. Till-Mobley becomes a revolutionary by insisting that the world witness the horror of her brutally maimed son’s body in an open casket viewing as an act of defiance against oppression and hate. “I wanted the world to see what they did to my boy,” she said at the time. Till-Mobley also gave the exclusive rights to Jet Magazine to publish the images of her son’s maimed body which caused the lynching to gain worldwide noteriety. A mother’s audacity became a lightning rod in the Civil Rights Movement and propelled her to reluctantly become an outspoken activist for the NAACP advocating for social justice and education. PG-13 | 130mins

Abel Korzeniowski’s work in film music places him in a small group of composers who seem destined to define the future of the art form. It is his passionate, evocative, and truly original music grounded in modern European style, that fixes a singular impression on the listener. Korzeniowski’s scores have received tremendous critical enthusiasm and numerous awards, most notably two Golden Globe nominations, and three World Soundtrack Awards. His lush, stirring, highly original music for Tom Ford’s A Single Man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, was greeted with immediate acclaim. The score caught the attention of Madonna, who invited him to create music for her feature film W.E.. Stylish and bittersweet, W.E.’s score brilliantly reflects the glamorous romance between Wallis Simpson and The Duke of Windsor. One reviewer called it “chocolate for the ears.” “Evgeni’s Waltz”, a piano piece from W.E., became the basis of a new version of Madonna’s hit “Like a Virgin”, performed during her 2012 MDNA world tour. For Patricia Kaas, Mr. Korzeniowski has reimagined the songs of Edith Piaf, arranging and producing the record album Kaas Chante Piaf, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Piaf’s death.

In addition to his other film work, Mr. Korzeniowski has created musical identities for some of the world’s most prestigious brands, including BMW-i Electric Vehicles and Tiffany & Co. Born in Krakow, Poland, Korzeniowski studied classical composition under Krzysztof Penderecki. In 2006, he moved to Los Angeles, where he currently resides.

Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II is a talented, multi-instrumentalist known for producing and songwriting. His classical training (his father is a musician and music teacher) allows him to look at song structure, harmony, and musical arrangements when playing or creating music. D’Mile’s musical influences are wide-ranging and touch almost every genre of music, including Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, and Wes Montgomery. However, D’Mile’s greatest influence is his father, Dernst Emile, an accomplished jazz musician in his own right.

D’Mile’s first placement was a collaboration with Grammy Award Winning Songwriters/Artists Full Force for Rihanna’s debut album Music of the Sun. He soon followed with placements on Janet Jackson’s album, Discipline (“Feedback” and “Luv”), Justin Bieber’s debut album My World (“Favorite Girl”), and Mary J. Blige’s album, The Breakthrough. D’Mile then worked with Grammy Award-winning and nominated artists, such as Diddy, Usher, Alicia Keys, Brandy, Celine Dion, Joe, Nico & Vinz, Jennifer Lopez, Tony Braxton, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, T.I., Rick Ross, and Ty Dolla $ign, to name a few.

2022 proved to be a massive year for D’Mile. He had a huge night at the 2022 Grammy Awards, becoming the first Producer to win Song of the Year two years in a row (Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” and H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” in 2021.) He also won Record of the Year and Best R&B Song for “Leave the Door Open” and was also recognized for his contributions to Lucky Daye’s Grammy-winning album A Seat at the Table (Best Progressive Album) and H.E.R.’s Grammy-winning song “Fight For You” (Best Traditional R&B Performance) which won him an Academy Award at the 2021 Oscars. Towards the tail end of 2022 D’Mile partnered with Jazmine Sullivan on the motivational song “Stand Up” for the critically acclaimed Original Motion Picture Till.

*** SCREENING + Q&A INFORMATION ***

Check-in begins 6:30PM.

If you RSVP but are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation by 10:00AM Friday, November 11.

Free for current SCL members (click here to check your membership status) plus two guests who will stay for both the screening and Q&A. Please remember to RSVP for two (2) if you plan on bringing a guest.

In the event of a waitlist, please remember to sign up twice (2) if you plan on bringing a guest.

Guests of SCL members may NOT attend without the member invitee, or if the member RSVPs, but cannot attend and cancels.

Please allow extra time for traffic and check-in.

This invitation is non-transferable.

Per California state health guidelines, masks are recommended to be worn indoors at all times.

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