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Posts published in “Movies”

Academy Award Winners Regina King and John Ridley Re-Team to Make Shirley Chisholm Biopic

The universe’s desire to honor Shirley Chisholm continues! Yesterday, Good Black News posted a Black History Month tribute to Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to U.S. Congress and a one-time candidate for U.S. President.

Today, Variety.com reported Regina King will produce and star in a new biographical feature on Chisholm, to be written and directed by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, All is By My Side):

“Regina’s passion for bringing a complete and very human portrait of Shirley to life has been evident since literally the day we first met,” Ridley said. “I’m very thankful to both Regina and Reina trusting me to partner in telling the story of this truly remarkable individual.”

The film is being produced based on the life story rights through an exclusive agreement with the Chisholm Estate.

Ridley and King previously worked together on the ABC anthology series American Crime, for which King garnered two Emmys as Best Supporing Actress in a Limited Series.

Film Adaptation of Nella Larsen’s Harlem Renaissance Novel “Passing” to be Acquired by Netflix for $16 Million

Almost one hundred years after its heyday, the Harlem Renaissance is all the rage once again.

Streaming giant Netflix is currently in talks to acquire Passing, the film adaptation of Nella Larsen‘s 1929 novel that examines the relationship of two biracial women in the 1920s where one chooses to hide her Black ancestry and “pass” for white.

Directed and adapted by Rebecca Hall and produced by Significant Productions partners Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi along with Hall and Margot Hand, the movie stars Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga in the lead roles.

Passing premiered last Saturday as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition lineup for Sundance’s virtual 2021 film festival.

Read more: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-passing-acquisition-deal-rebecca-hall-tessa-thompson-ruth-negga-1234899976/

MUSIC MONDAY: “In The Heat of the Night” – A Celebration of Black Film Music (LISTEN)

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Hello, again! Here’s a collection of Black composers of film music. There are a few iconic songs from films included here, but the playlist is mainly devoted to scores.

As usual, this is a varied group of artists. They come from Jazz (Herbie Hancock and Duke Ellington), popular music (James Brown, RZA and Pharrell Williams), Rock (Barry Adamson), and of course, Classical ( Michael Abels and Kathryn Bostic).

[spotifyplaybutton play=”spotify:playlist:3AZVx1ZXDEAHsdu5QJo95p”/]

This collection spans decades of work from the 1930s to very recent releases. Hope you enjoy the wide-ranging collection of film music.

“See” ya next week. And was want is always my wont, please stay safe sane, and kind And VOTE!

Marlon West (photo courtesy Marlon West)

Halle Berry Sells Her Directoral Debut “Bruised” to Netflix for $20 Million

(Photo from “Bruised” via TIFF)

According to Variety.com, Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry landed a $20 million distribution deal from Netflix for her directorial debut of “Bruised.” 

Berry’s “Bruised,” still in the process of completion, is screening on Saturday at the Toronto Film Festival (virtually, of course). Berry also stars in the dramatic feature about “a washed-up MMA fighter struggling for redemption as both an athlete and a mother.”

The film was written by Michelle Rosenfarb. Producers on the project include Basil Iwanyk, Brad Feinstein, Guymon Casady, Erica Lee, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, Linda Gottlieb and Gillian Hormel.

As of yet there is no set release date for when the movie will appear on the streaming service.

In Tribute to Chadwick Boseman, ’42’ to be Re-Released in Theaters

According to Variety.com, AMC Theatres will pay tribute to beloved actor and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died last week of colon cancer at 43, by screening 42, Boseman’s leading man debut as Major League Baseball barrier breaker and icon Jackie Robinson. (To read GBN’s review of 42, click here.)

Warner Bros. and Legendary, the studios behind the 2013 film, have teamed up with the theater chain to make “42” viewable in more than 300 locations. That’s nearly every AMC venue that’s open as coronavirus closures start to lift. Tickets for 42 will only be $5 and will go on sale by the end of Tuesday.

National Museum of African American History and Culture to Honor March on Washington 37th Anniversary Via Free Online Films & IG Posts

On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 people gathered on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to March for Jobs and Freedom.

This month, more than 50 years later, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will commemorate the March on Washington with a digital resource webpage exploring the historical significance of the march with collection objects, stories, videos and content related to the historic march.

This page will include voices of union leader and activist A. Phillip Randolph, Rep. John Lewis, and many unsung activists and a performance by singer Marian Anderson. The resource webpage is available at nmaahc.si.edu/marchonwashington.

To mark the anniversary day (Aug. 28), the museum will also make available the film commissioned for its grand opening by Ava Duvernay, August 28: A Day in the Life of a People. The film will be available to view on the museum’s homepage and YouTube channel starting at 10:00 a.m. for 24 hours.

“Candyman” Director Nia DaCosta to Helm “Captain Marvel” Sequel, 1st Black Woman to Direct a Marvel Universe Film

Nia DaCosta, director of the upcoming MGM/Universal Candyman remake, will helm the sequel to Captain Marvel, becoming the first black woman to direct a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 2019’s Captain Marvel was the first Marvel movie to feature a solo female lead. The sequel will again follow Brie Larson‘s adventures as Carol Danvers, fighter pilot turned superhero, this time written by WandaVision scribe Megan McDonnell.

The Captain Marvel sequel would also mark the fourth time a female director has steered an MCU film — and the third time they’ve done it solo. The first solo female director Marvel announced was Black Widow‘s Cate Shortland in July 2018, while the first Captain Marvel film was led by the directing duo of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

Captain Marvel 2 is currently scheduled for release on July 8, 2022.

MUSIC MONDAY: “Black, Brown & Beige” – Celebrating Black Classical Composers, Musicians and Performers (LISTEN)

[Photo collage L to R, top then bottom: Florence Beatrice-Price, Julius Eastman, Scott Joplin, William Grant Still, Stewart Goodyear]

In a world that hasn’t always welcomed them with open arms, many of these performers, instrumentalists, and conductors shattered racial barriers on the concert stage and created landmark moments in classical music.

While you are likely familiar with the symphonic work of Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin, and William Grant Still, you probably don’t know Florence Beatrice-Price, Julius Eastman, and Stewart Goodyear.

[spotifyplaybutton play=”spotify:playlist:1L3w1UOScrjUCA57vydkcV”/]

From the highly sophisticated instrumental musical forms, like the concerto, symphony and sonata, to spirituals, to the avant-garde, Black composers have made an impact on Classical music. Many of these artists languished in obscurity in life, and have been all but forgotten.

While other Black women and men are creating significant works of music right now. Here are some of the most influential Black voices in classical music history from the 18th century to today.

Enjoy. And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Marlon West (photo courtesy Marlon West)

Michael B. Jordan and Racial Justice Organization Color of Change Partner to #ChangeHollywood

Actor and Producer Michael B. Jordan (“Just Mercy,” “Raising Dion,” “Black Panther”) has teamed up with racial justice organization Color of Change to launch the #ChangeHollywood initiative, with the goal of transforming the entertainment industry’s inequitable power infrastructure.

Through #ChangeHollywood, Jordan and COC plan to offer recommendations as well as forthcoming resources to companies within the industry (e.g.  directories, consulting, task forces, templates) that support actionable follow-through.

The ultimate goal of #ChangeHollywood is to put forth concrete, measurable solutions for Hollywood to affirm, defend and invest in Black lives. Some key aspects include producing authentic Black stories, investing in Black talent and Black communities.

RELATED: Michael B. Jordan Teams With Warner Bros. to Launch Diversity and Inclusion Policy for All Future WarnerMedia Productions

“This roadmap is just the beginning of the journey to racial justice. We are all accomplices in the fight to transform Hollywood, and we invite content creators and industry leaders to join us in working together to #ChangeHollywood,” Jordan said. “We look forward to including a variety of voices in doing what we do best: telling authentic stories, bringing people together, partnering with influential artists, and changing the rules of the game.”

“The legacy of racism in Hollywood is long and unforgivable: excluding Black talent, silencing Black voices, derailing Black careers, and using the economic power of the industry to prop up police who target and enact violence on Black communities,” Rashad Robinson, president of Color Of Change, said in a statement.

“We know from our advocacy that the industry won’t change on its own, so we’re building off our current work to hold Hollywood accountable to offer these resources and a roadmap toward enacting racial justice. From the writers’ rooms to the streets, we are energized and ready to help Hollywood follow through on their statements that Black lives matter.”

Gina Prince-Bythewood to Direct and Viola Davis to Star and Produce “The Woman King” at TriStar Pictures

According to Variety.com, Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Old Guard,” “Beyond The Lights,” “Love & Basketball”) is set to direct “The Woman King,” starring Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis at TriStar Pictures.

The movie is being produced by Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions, Cathy Schulman’s Welle Entertainment, and Maria Bello of Jack Blue Productions.

To quote from Variety.com:

The film is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The story follows Nanisca (Davis), general of the all-female military unit, and her daughter Nawi, who together fought the French and neighboring tribes who violated their honor, enslaved their people and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for.

“We at JuVee are beyond excited to introduce this incredible story of the Women Warriors of The Dahomey Ahosi tribe to the world. It’s time that they truly occupy their place in history and in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s hands, it will be a gamechanger. This project could not be a more perfect example of our legacy,” said Davis and Tennon.

Read more: https://variety.com/2020/film/news/the-old-guard-gina-prince-bythewood-viola-davis-woman-king-1234706452/

[Photo credits: Gina Prince-Bythewood via commons.wikipedia.org; Viola Davis by Dario Calmese]