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If there’s one DTV action movie from the 80’s that I wish I held onto, it would without question be director Sam Firstenberg’s action movie with a message titled Riverbend. The film was a surprise gem in a sea of forgettable DTV actioners and with James being able to play the lead after several successful co-starring stints in the American Ninja films and Avenging Force, Riverbend delivered both adrenaline and relevant drama for a complete viewing experience.
It feels my heart with complete joy to tell you that Riverbend is bursting out of the ashes like a fiery Phoenix as the American Cinematheque is finally presenting the highly anticipated and equally long-awaited Los Angeles premiere with a special and iconic screening which was derived from a pristine, never-before-projected 35mm print discovered in Amazon MGM’s vaults. Usually when a movie is lost in time, it stays that way, but old school action fans and even new generation fans will now be able to enjoy a missing piece to 80’s action cinema starring one of its mostly highly underrated talent. Scroll below for all the intel on the L.A. premiere!
Lost Black Cinema Classic RIVERBEND Returns to Los Angeles in Special 35mm Screening at the Aero Theatre
One-Night-Only Event Celebrates Restoration by Reelblack Renaissance!
The American Cinematheque presents the long-awaited Los Angeles premiere of RIVERBEND (1989), screening from a pristine, never-before-projected 35mm print discovered in Amazon MGM’s vaults. Long unavailable except on worn VHS tapes, this bold, action-driven drama about three Black Vietnam soldiers leading a Southern town to rise against a racist sheriff has been virtually unseen for 35 years.
This one-night-only event marks a milestone in the film’s ongoing restoration by Reelblack Renaissance, a Philadelphia-based boutique distributor dedicated to preserving and re-releasing overlooked Black cinema. A full 6K restoration is currently underway, with a theatrical and Blu-ray release planned for early 2026.
Scheduled to attend the once in a lifetime event are Margaret Avery (Oscar nominee, The Color Purple), Julius Tennon (G20, The Woman King), Alex Morris (Malcolm in the Middle, Baskets), Debbi James, daughter of the late Steve James (Riverbend’s star), Sam Firstenberg, director (American Ninja), Valerie Vance, co-producer and uncredited co-writer, Michael J. Dennis who is the Executive Producer of the restoration and founder of Reelblack Renaissance and Aaron Kai who is the poster artist. Additional cast, crew, and special guests will also be announced.
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
7:30 PM (screening start time)
WHERE:
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90403
SYNOPSIS: Set in 1966, RIVERBEND follows three Black Vietnam soldiers, led by action legend Steve James (American Ninja), who escape a corrupt court-martial and find refuge in a segregated Georgia town. There, they discover a community living in fear under a brutal sheriff (Tony Frank) and are persuaded by a widowed woman, powerfully portrayed by Oscar nominee Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), to help. The soldiers train the townspeople to rise up and fight back—launching a rebellion that cannot be ignored.
ABOUT THE FILM: Conceived by Samuel and Valerie Vance, RIVERBEND was independently financed and shot on location near Dallas, Texas. Directed by action specialist Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo)and starring Steve James and Margaret Avery, the film was distributed on VHS in 1990 but quickly disappeared, overshadowed by Hollywood’s preference for more conventional racial dramas like Mississippi Burning. For decades, it survived only through bootleg tapes and word-of-mouth until its rediscovery by Reelblack founder Michael J. Dennis. With support from MissingMovies.org and co-producer Valerie Vance, the original negatives were recovered, along with a pristine 35mm print never before projected. This Aero Theatre event marks the first time Los Angeles audiences will see RIVERBEND as it was meant to be experienced—on the big screen, in 35mm, with its cast and creators present.
WHY IT MATTERS: A lost gem of Black independent cinema, RIVERBEND is more than just an action film—it is a story of resistance, community, and empowerment. Once buried and nearly forgotten, the film now returns to the big screen after 35 years, affirming its place in the canon of American cinema.
I have not seen Riverbend for decades, so I cannot convey how excited I am to finally revisit this film the way it was meant to be seen. I was such a colossal fan of Steve James back in the day and always thought he should have been a bigger star. Unfortunately, he passed away way, way too soon in December 0f 1993 after battling pancreatic cancer.
I remember the film being a much weightier viewing experience for an action film which was a nice surprise and seeing James in full on action star bravado mode was a sight to behold. The movie had a monumental message to tell and the way it infused importance with adrenaline laced entertainment was nothing short of epic. Sam Firstenberg is an icon in action cinema filmmaking, and this film is probably one of his best, if not the best.
Look out for more reports for Riverbend including a Retro Action Review coming soon!
