06/01/2026
This FRIDAY JUNE 5 6:30 pm
FREE Film Screening- THE GOLDEN GHOSTS
Its all happening in the BIGFOOT STUDIO/ THEATER right across from the Klamath-Siskiyou Art Center.
It's a great opportunity to get out and learn a bit of the fantastic history of Black Gold Miners in Siskiyou County, searching for freedom and gold.
Hope you can make it out.
The Golden Ghosts (2024)
Directed by Mark Oliver
“Before the myth was born, the history was buried.”
In 1852, the mountains of Northern California were a chaotic frontier of hope and peril. While history books often paint the Gold Rush in a single color, The Golden Ghosts brings to light the thousands of African Americans who journeyed west—not just in search of gold, but in a search for freedom.
Following the journey of two prospectors, Tall (Victor Martin) and Money (Fred Magee), the film is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and magical realism. As they navigate a landscape where California’s “free state” status is a fragile promise and bounty hunters lurk in the shadows, they must rely on their wits and their bond to survive.
Shot in the rugged terrain of Siskiyou County, Mark Oliver’s latest work is more than a movie—it is a cinematic recovery project. It gives a voice to the "ghosts" of the North State, transforming old census rolls and abandoned diggings into a vivid, soulful narrative of resilience and the pursuit of a new life.
Unlike a typical Hollywood Western, The Golden Ghosts is a deeply researched, visually striking "art film" that uncovers the forgotten history of African Americans during the California Gold Rush of 1852.
Also starring from Redding, John Welsh, Ethan Howe, Daniel Hardy, Myriam Kalmogo, Abu Salahaddin, Louis Gustafson, Hopiche Gustafson…..
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Founded by Mark Oliver, Victor Martin, Eddie McAllister, and Abu Salahaddin, the project was born from a mission to reclaim the history of African Americans in the Northstate Gold Rush. Over the last seven years, The Golden Ghosts have successfully dismantled local myths through immersive plays in schools, state parks, and museums, including a premier exhibit at Turtle Bay.
“We’ve reached a point where the history of the Gold Rush is no longer seen through a single lens,” says the collective. “By including the realities of Native American, Chinese, and Mexican pioneers, we’ve created a richer, truer story of our home.”
The project reaches the new year on a wave of global momentum following the massive success of their recent narrative film. The production—featuring a powerhouse cast of local talent from Siskiyou and Redding—has garnered prestigious international honors:
New York City: The Black Lives Matter Award
Berlin, Germany: Best Film
Los Angeles: Best Feature
Recent Honors: Best Soundtrack and Best Supporting Actor (Bobby Milhouse).
Of course, we are sharing some home Grilled Lamb or Pork with Tzatziki sauce, Greek Bread and fresh Veggies, along with fun drinks and popcorn.
We hope you can all join us for a delicious, fascinating, and thought-provoking night!
