DOCSLIB.ORG

Nate Parker Has Our Undivided Attention

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nate Parker Has Our Undivided Attention SCENE : ENTERTAINMENT A MAN FOR THE TIMES CONSCIOUS, TALENTED, HUMBLE AND, YES, SO FINE—NATE PARKER HAS OUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION is on-screen presence is many levels to Kaz’s experience that I as electric as his personal thought were beneficial.” profile is low-key. It seems Parker is proud of the film, of his Hhe designed it that way. In fact, Nate work. That’s evident. But along with Parker’s Twitter bio states, “Activist. promoting the movie, he carries a Filmmaker. We are the leaders we’ve heavy burden: “I want to change the been waiting for.... Let’s get to work.” ideology behind what people think Clearly, he has a larger plan. they know about Black men. As an On November 14, Parker takes the actor, I feel it’s my job to stand in that lead in Beyond the Lights, a gap between what has been per- story of hard-fought-for petuated that’s not positive or love set against the odds accurate, and o!er a dose and the blinding spot- of what is really real.” light of stardom. He During the aftermath plays Kaz, a politi- of Michael Brown’s cally driven cop who killing this past sum- crosses paths with Noni, Parker mer, Parker traveled a talented but troubled and Gugu to Ferguson, Missouri, Mbatha-Raw pop star on a meteoric to o!er his support. “It’s rise (portrayed seamlessly about being e!ective in by Gugu Mbatha-Raw). “I wanted to the community. I’d rather be give life to this character because he on the ground, trying to find represents all the things I would like to solutions, than be on a red see in my nephew,” says the 35-year- carpet any day. I want to do old married father of five, including for my people through my his four daughters and a nephew, work. I never want my art to CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: MAARTEN DE BOER/GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY now 17, whom he took in four years supersede my activism.” ago and later adopted. “There are so —Regina R. Robertson LLC. PRODUCTIONS, BLACKBIRD TENNER/2013 SUZANNE SUBJECT; OF BEHIND !"#O$% &'" ()*'&S Director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s new film pulls back the curtain on fame ESSENCE: What inspired the film? everybody, which was pretty soul- Gina Prince-Bythewood: Before Alicia crushing, but I used that as fuel to Keys and I worked together on The continue fighting past the noes. I knew Secret Life of Bees, I saw her in con- I only needed one yes. est known for creating Black cert. When she sang “Diary,” this film love stories in vivid color (think started playing in my head. That was ESSENCE: What do you want movie- Disappearing Acts and Love the first spark. goers to walk away with? B& Basketball), writer and director Gina G.P.: It was important to me to have Prince-Bythewood returns to the big ESSENCE: That was many years ago, two Black leads, but I want the audi- screen with Beyond the Lights. She but you stuck with it. ence to lose themselves in this story proves she’s still a force behind the lens. G.P.: The script was turned down by because love is universal. —R.R.R. TABLET EXTRAS Watch the 66 ESSENCE.COM NOVEMBER 2014 trailer for Beyond the Lights..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Black Women, Natural Hair, and New Media (Re)Negotiations of Beauty
    “IT’S THE FEELINGS I WEAR”: BLACK WOMEN, NATURAL HAIR, AND NEW MEDIA (RE)NEGOTIATIONS OF BEAUTY By Kristin Denise Rowe A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of African American and African Studies—Doctor of Philosophy 2019 ABSTRACT “IT’S THE FEELINGS I WEAR”: BLACK WOMEN, NATURAL HAIR, AND NEW MEDIA (RE)NEGOTIATIONS OF BEAUTY By Kristin Denise Rowe At the intersection of social media, a trend in organic products, and an interest in do-it-yourself culture, the late 2000s opened a space for many Black American women to stop chemically straightening their hair via “relaxers” and begin to wear their hair natural—resulting in an Internet-based cultural phenomenon known as the “natural hair movement.” Within this context, conversations around beauty standards, hair politics, and Black women’s embodiment have flourished within the public sphere, largely through YouTube, social media, and websites. My project maps these conversations, by exploring contemporary expressions of Black women’s natural hair within cultural production. Using textual and content analysis, I investigate various sites of inquiry: natural hair product advertisements and internet representations, as well as the ways hair texture is evoked in recent song lyrics, filmic scenes, and non- fiction prose by Black women. Each of these “hair moments” offers a complex articulation of the ways Black women experience, share, and negotiate the socio-historically fraught terrain that is racialized body politics
    [Show full text]
  • Ready to Go in Harm's
    MUSIC: Choosing a song of this MLB summer like no other Page 32 Fast starts will be key MOVIES: ‘Palm Springs’ to awards in a timely time loop Page 20 short season BOOKS: Jim Carrey novel Back page predictably absurd Page 34 stripes.com Volume 79, No. 60 ©SS 2020 FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 $1.00 VIRUS OUTBREAK Layoffs remain at elevated level as states rethink reopening plans BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Associated Press WASHINGTON — More than 1.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a historically high pace that shows that many employers are still laying people off in the face of a resurgent coronavirus. The persistently elevated level of layoffs are occurring as a spike in virus cases has forced six states to reverse their move to reopen businesses. Those six — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan and Texas — make up one-third of the U.S. economy. Fifteen other states have suspended their re-open- ings. Collectively, the pullback has stalled a tentative recovery in the job market and is likely trig- gering additional layoffs. On Wednesday, the United States reported just short of the Ready to go record 60,000 cases set a day earlier. In the U.S., the number of confirmed cases has passed 3 million — meaning nearly one in every 100 people has been con- firmed as infected — and the death toll in the pandemic is more than 132,000. In addition, Dr. Anthony Fauci, in harm’s way the nation’s top infectious-dis- ease official, is advising that some states seriously consider “shutting down” again if they Long-derided littoral combat ships flex their muscles in Pacific are facing major resurgences of the virus, The Washington Post BY SETH ROBSON coast guard and paramilitary vessels.
    [Show full text]
  • Nate Parker Is Not a Victim: “The Birth of a Nation” filmmaker Need
    Nate Parker is not a victim: “The Birth of a Nation” filmmaker need... https://www.salon.com/2016/10/03/nate-parker-is-not-a-victim-the-... Nate Parker (Credit: Getty/Robyn Beck) Nate Parker is not a victim: “The Birth of a Nation” filmmaker needs to stop talking about his innocence His “vindication” is beside the point. The problem is rape culture, and Parker’s past is part of his lm’s message D. WATKINS 10.03.2016 • 7:00 PM m not sure who Nate Parker has as friends or public relations handlers these I' days, but they should seriously tell him to STFU. Yesterday Parker, the 36-year-old star, writer and director of the break-out Sundance hit Nate Parker is not a victim: “The Birth of a Nation” filmmaker need... https://www.salon.com/2016/10/03/nate-parker-is-not-a-victim-the-... "The Birth of a Nation" sat down for a lengthy "60 Minutes" interview with Anderson Cooper. When asked about the rape and sexual assault charges brought against him during his days as a wrestling star at Penn State, of which he was acquitted in trial, Parker stated: I’ll say this, you know, I do think it’s tragic, so much of what’s happened. And the fact that the family’s had to endure with respect to this woman not being here. But I do — I also think that — you know, and I don’t want to harp on this and I don’t want to be disrespectful of them at all.
    [Show full text]
  • SPIKE LEE Presentation
    A SPIKE LEE presentation A film by NATE PARKER a TARAK BEN AMMAR / MARK BURG Production Releasing on VOD January 15th Publicity Contact: MPRM Communications [email protected] LOGLINE: After witnessing his son murdered by a white police officer who goes uncharged, Marine veteran Lincoln ‘Linc’ Jefferson takes justice into his own hands in a series of events he hopes will finally lead to justice for his son. SETUP: Lincoln Jefferson is a Marine veteran who has served two combat tours in Iraq. Now stateside, he works as a custodian in a prestigious California high school- a job he secured only to ensure enrollment in the school to his 14-year old son KJ, following his divorce. One night, Lincoln and his son are stopped by police and an altercation leads to the fatal shooting of Lincoln’s unarmed son. Lincoln, hopeful the system will provide a trial, is dismayed to learn the officer responsible for pulling the trigger will go uncharged and will return to active duty without an indictment. Disillusioned by the fact he was denied a fair trial for the death of his only son, Lincoln desperately takes the matter into his own hands in a series of events he hopes will finally lead to justice for his son. SYNOPSIS: AMERICAN SKIN weaves a layered story in the tradition of Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men and Dog Day Afternoon, that follows a Black Iraqi War Vet, who after being denied of a fair trial following the shooting death of his teenage son (his only child) by a white police officer, desperately seeks justice and accountability for his son’s death.
    [Show full text]
  • Sundance Institute Selects Eight Firsttime Filmmakers for Directors
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: May 5, 2016 Chalena Cadenas 310.360.1981 [email protected] Sundance Institute Selects Eight First­Time Filmmakers for Directors Lab, May 30­June 23 Filmmakers Head to Mountains of Utah for Month of Hands­On Project Development; ​ Advisors, Actors and Crew Include Robert Redford, Catherine Hardwicke, Kasi Lemmons, Ira Sachs Frances Bodomo | Annie Silverstein | César Cervantes | Kibwe Tavares | Eva Vives | Sandhya Suri | Pippa Bianco | Boots Riley Los Angeles, CA — Sundance Institute has selected eight first­time filmmakers for its signature Directors ​ Lab, which helped launch the careers of award­winning filmmakers Cary Fukunaga, Dee Rees, Marielle Heller, Benh Zeitlin and Quentin Tarantino. Taking place May 30­June 23 in the mountains of Sundance Resort in Utah, the annual Lab supports the next wave of independent filmmakers exploring new ideas and shaping the future of storytelling. At the Directors Lab, under the leadership of Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Founding Director Michelle Satter, Labs Director Ilyse McKimmie and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the Fellows will work with an accomplished group of creative advisors, professional actors and production crews to shoot and edit key scenes from their screenplays. Through this concentrated, hands­on process, the Fellows workshop and make key discoveries about their scripts, collaborate with actors and find a visual storytelling language for their films. Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, said, “Our Directors ​ ​ Lab and other programs play a critical role in discovering diverse artists and launching their careers, and this year's filmmakers are our most diverse group ever in terms of their backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
    [Show full text]
  • AUDREY's SOCIETY WHIRL BEACON, July 7 - 13, 2016 Newyorkbeacon.Net by Audrey J
    15 AUDREY'S SOCIETY WHIRL BEACON, July 7 - 13, 2016 newyorkbeacon.net By Audrey J. Bernard, Society Editor American Black Film Festival celebrates 20th year anniversary By Audrey J. Bernard from their script. Professional Miki Howard Story, directed by Society Editor actors in front of a live audience Christine Swanson and starring at TV One’s “Celebrity Scene Teyonah Parris. Throughout he American Black Film Stealers” performed each script the day there were scheduled Festival (ABFF) is the during the festival. speakers, including Malik Yoba nation’s largest gathering VH1 partnered with the and Lamman Rucker. Tof Black film and television en- ABFF for the first annual Un- Sponsors for the 2016 Amer- thusiasts. Commemorating its scripted Workshop, where they ican Black Film Festival are 20th anniversary in June 2016, selected and hosted five individ- HBO® (Founding and Present- ABFF returned to South Beach uals with interesting show con- ing Sponsor), Greater Miami for fun in the sun in Miami cepts. Programming executives Convention & Visitors Bureau Beach, Florida from June 15- spent two days working with (Host and Presenting Sponsor), 19, and festivalgoers celebrated them to discuss the business of TV One, Cadillac and McDon- non-stop for five days with an show creation and provide tips ald’s (Presenting Sponsors); enhanced program that includ- to further develop their projects. BET, Comcast NBCUniver- ed entertainment, expanded Hosted by actor and comedi- sal, Hennessy and Prudential networking opportunities and a an Chris Spencer,
    [Show full text]
  • The Secret Life of Bees Production Notes
    FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES PRESENTS An OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT / DONNERS’ COMPANY Production A GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD Film QUEEN LATIFAH DAKOTA FANNING JENNIFER HUDSON ALICIA KEYS SOPHIE OKONEDO NATE PARKER TRISTAN WILDS HILARIE BURTON and PAUL BETTANY WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN AND DIRECTED BY....................................................GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD BASED UPON THE NOVEL BY........................SUE MONK KIDD PRODUCED BY ..................................................LAUREN SHULER DONNER ..............................................................................JAMES LASSITER ..............................................................................WILL SMITH ..............................................................................JOE PICHIRALLO EXECUTIVE PRODUCER..................................JADA PINKETT SMITH DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY......................ROGIER STOFFERS, N.S.C. PRODUCTION DESIGNER................................WARREN ALAN YOUNG EDITED BY .........................................................TERILYN A. SHROPSHIRE, A.C.E. COSTUME DESIGNER ......................................SANDRA HERNANDEZ MUSIC BY...........................................................MARK ISHAM CASTING BY ......................................................AISHA COLEY ..............................................................................LISA MAE, CRAIG & ..............................................................................MARK FINCANNON, CSA CO-PRODUCERS................................................ED
    [Show full text]
  • Nate Parker and ​The ​ ​Birth of a Nation ​ Team Announce New
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: August 11, 2016 Spencer Alcorn 310.360.1981 [email protected] Nate Parker and The Birth of a Nation Team Announce ​ ​ ​ ​ New Fellowship for Young Filmmakers at Sundance Institute Benefit Parker Unveils Grant in Vanguard Award Acceptance Speech Event Precedes Sundance NEXT FEST at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown LA Click HERE for Photos (Credit: Ryan Kobane/Sundance Institute) ​ ​ ​ ​ Click HERE for Video ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional Photos at Wireimage.com Los Angeles, CA — Nate Parker and the cast, Producers, and Executive Producers of The Birth of a Nation are ​ ​ ​ investing in the next generation of diverse independent creativity with the Sundance Institute | The Birth of a ​ ​ ​ ​ Nation Fellowship for 18­to­24­year­old filmmakers participating in the Institute’s Ignite program. Parker shared ​ ​ details at Sundance Institute’s NIGHT BEFORE NEXT benefit at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles this evening, where he also received the Institute’s annual Vanguard Award presented to him by actor and Sundance alum Michael B. Jordan. Parker’s The Birth of a Nation was supported by the Institute’s renowned Feature Film ​ ​ (page 2 below) 2 Program for three years before its premiere, and won both the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 ​ ​ Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Institute | The Birth of a Nation Fellowship will support a filmmaker of color each year for the next five ​ ​ ​ ​ years in the Sundance Ignite program, which was established in 2015 to provide year­round mentorship and industry experiences for talented young artists. The program aims to increase access to authentic, independent storytelling, developing a new audience base and providing a pipeline of support for emerging artists.
    [Show full text]
  • Word of Honor
    Spring 2010 The Official Newsletter of Hampton University Volume 16 Issue 2 Word of Honor Honors College Great Debate By Lyndsey Brightful On April 2, 2010, Erin Lawler, was a very re­ Shavia Westmoreland, Willie warding experi­ Wilson and Lyndsey Brightful ence. During the traveled to New Haven, Con­ stay, the stu­ necticut to participate in the dents enjoyed Second Annual Great Debate at the Yale cam­ Yale University. pus, meeting Hampton University de­ Nate Parker, and bated Columbia University on socializing with two issues, the first resolve was other students the U.S. government should from Yale Uni­ place a cap of 36% on interest versity, Colum­ From left to right: Willie Wilson, Shavia Westmoreland, charged by Payday Lenders and bia University, Erin Lawler, Lyndsey Brightful other financial institutions and and Howard the second resolve was the U.S. University. “The hospitality opportunity to compete and those Government should create jobs of the Yale students and the who traveled with the team for to enhance the economy. Connecticut NAACP was their overwhelming support. The four Honors Col­ amazing,” says Lyndsey. The lege debaters all agreed that it team thanks Dr. Davy for the W.E.B. Du Bois Conference Mr. and Ms. Honors College By Brittany Adams Requirements The Honors College Student Association The 2010 W.E.B. Du Bois Conference opened Manual, under Article IV Section 3, states “Mr. and up with over 200 people in attendance. The theme for Ms. Honors College shall be selected each year in a this year’s event was " American Legacy: Building a manner proposed by the Board and approved by the Bridge to Success." Once the students arrived we had body.” them construct a bridge for an ice breaker and a con­ test.
    [Show full text]
  • When You Think of the World's Most Notorious Outwardly Gay Comedian
    JASON STUART Website http://www.jasonstuart.com IMDB http://www.imdb.me/jasonstuart When you think one of the most prolific character actors, who’s also an outrageous openly gay stand-up comedian, one name comes to mind…. Jason Stuart. Stuart has been making people laugh out loud with "Gay Don Rickles" performances all over the country since coming out in 1993. He has accomplished what few other gay comics have ever achieved: brutal honesty with humor in a world that’s not always kind. Not only is Stuart an all-out crowd pleaser, but he transcends the boundaries of race, gender and sexual orientation with his edgy comedic style. Stuart’s material about his experiences as a single Jewish gay man living in Hollywood is original, cutting edge and just plain funny! Although his semi-celebrity came via stand-up, Stuart is also well-known for his work as an actor playing gay & straight roles on over forty popular television shows. Stuart has wowed audiences on the TV screen with guest roles in hits such shows as Swedish Dicks, Love, Gone, Sleepy Hollow, Real Rob, Entourage, The Closer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, House, Everybody Hates Chris, George Lopez, Will & Grace and Charmed, to name a few. He is best known playing “Dr. Thomas”, the gay family therapist on My Wife and Kids. As an actor his first love, He has a major role in of the most talked about films as plantation owner “Joseph Randall” in The Birth Of A Nation by filmmaker Nate Parker (Beyond The Lights) who is also starring in the film as “Nat Turner”.
    [Show full text]
  • Gina Prince-Bythewood Selected Woman of the Year
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2015 Contact: Lorenza Munoz, 213-458-6279 Email: [email protected] Contact: Christina Villacorte, 213-447-1277 Email: [email protected] Gina Prince-Bythewood Selected Woman of the Year Film director and producer Gina Prince-Bythewood received the Woman of the Year Award for her work as an artist, mentor and role model in a ceremony at the Los Angeles Music Center Monday. Prince-Bythewood, selected by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for the honor, grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA where she studied at the film school and also ran competitive track. At UCLA, she received the Gene Reynolds Scholarship for Directing and the Ray Stark Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduates. Her first film, Love & Basketball, now on 15 years, is a date night favorite that has been lauded for its honesty about love and relationships. Her other films include The Secret Life of Bees, Disappearing Acts and most recently, Beyond the Lights. The Women of the Year luncheon, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women, honors the work of women throughout Los Angeles County in a variety of professions. This year’s honorees also included Jessica Midkiff, a survivor of child sex trafficking who is now working at the Probation Department as a mentor and counselor to young victims. At the ceremony, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas applauded Prince-Bythewood’s career and her unwavering spirit to make films that are diverse and feature prominent female roles. “Her films show the goodness in people, the complexity of humanity and the ability to overcome,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.
    [Show full text]
  • 87Th Oscars Nominations Announced
    MEDIA CONTACT Natalie Kojen [email protected] Gail Silverman [email protected] January 15, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 87TH OSCARS® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED LOS ANGELES, CA — Directors Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams, actor Chris Pine and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced the nominations for the 87th Academy Awards® today (January 15). For the first time, nominees in all 24 categories were announced live. Cuarón and Abrams announced the nominees in 11 categories at 5:30 a.m. PT, followed by Pine and Boone Isaacs for the remaining 13 categories at 5:38 a.m. PT, at the live news conference attended by more than 400 international media representatives. For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com. Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees. Official screenings of all motion pictures with one or more nominations will begin for members on Saturday, January 24, at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Screenings also will be held at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood and in London, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area. Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all categories. To access the complete nominations press kit, visit www.oscars.org/press/press-kits.
    [Show full text]