rhythmandnews
  • Home
  • Rhythm And News Blog
  • Radio Shows

early look at martin luther king 'selma' movie

11/13/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
A scene from 'Selma' with David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King (centre)
Next year will see the 50th anniversary of the famous 1965 Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marches intended to spotlight and in turn destroy the racial discrimination experienced by black people at the voting booths in the American south. The Jim Crow-ism of the era, though now starting to crack, was still prevalent and the civil rights leaders were determined to get a Voting Rights Act approved by the US government. Its most prominent speaker, who helped bring their struggle to the world, Dr Martin Luther King led the historic marches and now a film on the subject has now been made. Directed by Ava DuVernay and featuring a star-studded cast, 'Selma' looks to be a rousing and emotionally charged affair. DuVernay has revealed she wanted to use the movie as a chance for the audience to get a glimpse of King as a real man, and not just an iconic figure, telling an audience at a recent urban film festival, "What we are attempting to do is present Dr. King as a man. Not a statute, not a speech, not a picture, but as a brother who had a wife, who had a complicated relationship with her and the people around him. Who was sometimes great and sometimes not so great."

The cast includes Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., hip hop artist Common and British actress Carmen Ejogo who plays Coretta Scott King. That British flavour continues with Tom Wilkinson playing President Lydon B. Johnson, Tim Roth playing the racist Governor of Alabama, George Wallace, who deeply opposed and fought against the marchers, and perhaps most surprising of all, though it shouldn't be, the very talented David Oyelowo (who recently had a pivotal role in 'The Butler) as Dr. Martin Luther King. In fact he had been cast as King when the film was originally going to be made by Lee Daniels in 2007. From the trailer the actor is almost unrecognizable. He achieved his desired look by gaining weight and shaving back his hairline, saying "At one point I looked in the mirror and I couldn't see myself......Dr. King was staring back at me." Adding "It's very costly emotionally, physically, spiritually. You cannot go into an endeavour like this without going there. King felt a lot of guilt about the people who were cut down because of the movement and the cost on his children, his wife. So you have to go there, and I can proudly say I went there."
Picture
'Selma' teaser poster
'Selma' will be released on Christmas Day in selected American cities and across the U.S. in early January. Already there is some heat and speculation on Oyelowo's performance in terms of nominations during the upcoming awards season. If this were to happen there would be many people from all quarters who would welcome this, especially as the number of likely minority contenders seems to be seriously lacking this year, as opposed to last year's healthy batch. 


So here is a first-look at 'Selma'.
2 Comments
Cheri
11/13/2014 04:22:40 am

This really looks like a very powerful film, just the short excerpt brought tears to my eyes. I look forward to seeing it when it comes to London. Thanks for the advance information.

Reply
HR Shomo link
11/14/2014 11:49:25 am

Thanks for the heads up, Brother. Always on the cutting edge!
Stay strong & big up the family. Peace.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    EON IRVING

     DJ, Remixer, Producer, Writer
    Involved in the music business since the very late 70's Beginning work at Island Records. DJing since the early 80's both in London and abroad, including the US and Europe. Along the way performing at many high profile events for such luminaries as Prince, Public Enemy and Lennox Lewis.
    Aside from radio and club djing, remixing and production work in the recording studio has meant working with the likes of Loose Ends, Junior Giscombe, David Morales, Gwen Guthrie, Sly & Robbie, Maxie Priest and Madonna.
    An intense lifelong love of cinema has blossomed itself in several ways including presenting to the UK public for the very first time such films as 'Boyz In The Hood', 'House Party' and 'A Rage In Harlem'.
    My passion for music, cinema and all other interests manifests itself through my writing. I am also a Contributing Editor for the music and entertainment website magazine, DeeperThe Beats  www.deeperthebeats.com



    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Film
    Literature
    Music
    Theatre
    Trailer
    Tv
    Welcome

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.