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Cynthia Erivo

Harriet: Prophet Motif

January 20, 2020 by Darrel Manson 1 Comment

“God showed me the way.”

Harriet Tubman was given a boost into the national consciousness when she was chosen to be put onto the $20 bill (a plan that has been put on hold by the Trump Administration). But being on money is not all we need to know about her. Kasi Lemmon’s biopic Harriet give us a chance to discover the inspirational story of a slave who not only fought for her own freedom, but risked her life to bring many others to freedom. But more than the struggle for freedom, Harriet portrays Tubman as a religious figure—a prophet that heard God’s voice and did God’s work.

Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

The film opens with a Sunday service on the Brodess farm in Maryland. The assembled slaves sing a spiritual, “Keep Your Hand on the Plow” (which in later days morphed into “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize”). Reverend Green (Vondie Curtis-Hall) exhorts the assembled slaves to obey their masters as Paul says in Colossians. All this as the master and his family look on approvingly.

Then John Tubman, a freeman, asks to talk to Mr. Brodess about freedom for his wife Minty (Cynthia Erivo), having talked to a lawyer about Brodess’s grandfather’s will that said they should be free. Tubman is banished from the farm. Minty determines to find her freedom and leaves. Her father (also a freeman) tells her to go to Rev. Green’s church. She is reluctant given his sermons, but discover that he can tell her where to go. She begins a harrowing journey with slave catchers in pursuit. When cornered on a bridge, she jumps, saying she will be free or die.

Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

The journey continues, with some help along the way, until she reaches Philadelphia, a journey of 100 miles alone. She goes to the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, where she meets William Still (Leslie Odem Jr.), who takes down her story and asks if she’d like to choose a new name for living free. She takes her mother’s and husband’s name, becoming Harriet Tubman.

After a year of living free, she wants to go back and get her husband. She is dissuaded, but will not give up on her plan. She has been coached in living as a freewoman by Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monáe) so she can pass as free while traveling in the South. She knows that if she is caught she will be beaten and returned to slavery. But she is determined. When she discovers her husband has moved on with his life, she finds that her family wants to go with her. She determines that God has led her here to free them. This was the first of many trips to free seventy people over a number of years.

Leslie Odom Jr. stars as William Still in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

The film is designed to be something of an action movie, with chases, and dangers in each escape. But just as it is a story of a journey to freedom, it is also has a deep spiritual journey as well.

Ever since she received a head injury as a child, Minty/Harriet has had spells where she doesn’t quite lose consciousness, but she sees images of things that will take place. During her escape and her heroic journeys back to the south, these visions serve to lead her to safety. She understands these to be messages from God. When she first arrives in Philadelphia, she tells her story to Still. Harriet says “The hole in my head just made God’s voice more clear.” Still writes in his book “Possible brain damage.” Such visions are not unlike the reports of biblical prophets. Such skepticism as Still exhibited is not unlike the way we treat those who make such claims today.

Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman and Vondie Curtis-Hall as Reverend Green in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

The film is filled with religion, starting with that opening Sunday sermon. Harriet is a woman of great faith and trust in God. She believes that God has chosen her to bring people to freedom. As she makes more and more trips, she receives a nickname on wanted posters: Moses. The whites have no idea who Moses is—or even which sex—but they want Moses stopped. Meanwhile Harriet calls out to slaves in the field by singing “Go Down Moses” for them to come to her. Like the biblical Moses, Harriet sees herself as God’s messenger of freedom to an enslaved people. I’m sure that many will see this as a story of a hero, which it is, but it is really a story of God’s hero, bringing freedom to God’s children in a difficult time.

Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

Throughout her journeys to free more people, Harriet constantly trusts in God and the messages God sends her. She attributes her great success (eventually leading seventy people to freedom) to God’s leading. In her later life she became an important figure in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

I also want to mention, as a final note, the song “Stand Up” that plays over the end credits. Stick around and let that song inhabit you. It was written by Joshuah Campbell and the film’s star Cynthia Erivo. Erivo also sings the song. It is a wonderful blend of gospel and other music that evokes the spirit of Harriet Tubman and her mission of freedom.

Harriet is available now on Digital. Out on January 28, the Harriet Blu-ray combo pack includes special features “Her Story” and “Becoming Harriet” as well as commentary from Kasi Lemmons.

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: Cynthia Erivo, Harriet Tubman, Janelle Monáe, Joshuah Campbell, Kasi Lemmons, Leslie Odom Jr., prophet, slavery, Underground Railroad, Vondie Curtis-Hall

Harriet: Leader to Freedom

November 1, 2019 by Julie Levac Leave a Comment

Harriet Tubman was an incredible woman and remains an important part of our history. Born Araminta “Minty” Ross, and later changing her name to Harriet Tubman (inspired by her mother and husband), she would ultimately be nicknamed “Moses”, a leader to freedom. A conductor of the Underground Railroad, she not only escaped slavery herself, but is responsible for freeing approximately 70 other people. She was a vital player in the fight to abolish slavery in the American Civil War, acting as a cook, nurse, spy, and was the first woman ever to lead an armed assault. With that said, I was shocked to learn that Harriet (directed by Kasi Lemmons) is the first feature film made about this exceptional woman.

Harriet was able to tackle the enormous task of retelling a crucial story in history so successfully that I believe this film could (and should) be shown in classrooms around the world. This film is simultaneously real and emotional yet has an incredible hopefulness to it. I can still see Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) holding her hands up to frame the rising sun as she steps across the border to freedom for the first time. She wove her desperation into determination, proclaiming “Imma be free or die”, and did everything in her power to succeed.

Cynthia Erivo effortlessly embodies Harriet Tubman in such a special way. If her performance wasn’t telling enough, she brings her gorgeous voice to the role, highlighting various songs from that time period, which often acted as secret messages to other slaves. Just try not to have chills during the trailer of this film as “Farewell Oh Farewell” plays.

Painted across stunning landscapes, Harriet reproduces impressive costumes of that time period, and takes advantage of light and dark to convey emotion.

The only slight misstep was the story line surrounding Harriet’s visions from God. Harriet was known to be very religious, claiming to have had vision from God, and crediting Him for guiding her through her successful escape and subsequent missions. Although this was imperative to the story, I felt that, closer to the end of the film, they started feeling more like psychic premonitions rather than the voice of God. (Even so, this didn’t detract from the overall quality of the film.)

As a human being, I can barely find the words to express my gratitude to Harriet Tubman for her valiancy and single-handedly shifting the trajectory of history. As a woman, how do I convey my sheer inspiration? How do I convey my thanks for her role in my right to vote? Harriet Tubman was a down right warrior and I don’t want to begin to think where we would be without her.

“I made it this far on my own so don’t you tell me what I can’t do.”

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Premieres, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Araminta Ross, Civil War, Cynthia Erivo, Harriet, Harriet Tubman, Janelle Monáe, Kasi Lemmons, Leslie Odom Jr., Minty, slavery, Underground Railroad

TIFF’19: Harriet

September 18, 2019 by Julie Levac 1 Comment

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Harriet Tubman was an incredible woman and remains an important part of our history. Born Araminta “Minty” Ross, and later changing her name to Harriet Tubman (inspired by her mother and husband), she would ultimately be nicknamed “Moses”, a leader to freedom. A conductor of the Underground Railroad, she not only escaped slavery herself, but is responsible for freeing approximately 70 other people. She was a vital player in the fight to abolish slavery in the American Civil War, acting as a cook, nurse, spy, and was the first woman ever to lead an armed assault. With that said, I was shocked to learn that Harriet (directed by Kasi Lemmons) is the first feature film made about this exceptional woman.

Harriet was able to tackle the enormous task of retelling a crucial story in history so successfully that I believe this film could (and should) be shown in classrooms around the world. This film is simultaneously real and emotional yet has an incredible hopefulness to it. I can still see Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) holding her hands up to frame the rising sun as she steps across the border to freedom for the first time. She wove her desperation into determination, proclaiming “Imma be free or die”, and did everything in her power to succeed.

Being such a momentous figure in our history, Harriet will be well worth your time.  It will be released in Canada and the USA on November 1, 2019.

Filed Under: Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Araminta Ross, Civil War, Cynthia Erivo, Harriet, Harriet Tubman, Kasi Lemmons, Minty, Moses, slavery, Underground Railroad

Widows: When Lionesses Roar

November 16, 2018 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

What happens when those that are left behind are forced to clean up the mess of those that have left us?

Directed by Steve McQueen, Widows tells the story of a police shootout that leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows — Veronica (Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) — have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses’ criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, Veronica joins forces with the other three women to pull off a heist that her husband was planning.

Though Oscar-winner McQueen is best known for slower paced dramatic fare such as 12 Years A Slave or Shame, he brings a surprising depth to a film which could otherwise dwell in the sub-basement of pulp action films. Co-writing the script with acclaimed author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), McQueen’s thriller proves to be both gripping and engaging from the outset. Though on paper some may liken the film to this year’s ‘other female heist film’, Ocean’s 8, thankfully the comparisons end there. Widows is a smart, energetic thriller that makes use of an extremely talented cast led with ferocity by Oscar-winner, Viola Davis.

A tight, well-written thrill ride, what is most interesting about a film such as Widows is where it falls in the cultural spectrum. As female-led films have finally begun to be recognized for their success, there seems to have been a theme building momentum where women are encouraged to ‘find their voice’. Recent films such as A Star is Born, The Hate U Give to, yes, Ocean’s 8 have all provided opportunity for women to offer their stories in a male-driven culture. However, if these films serve as cries from the desert, Widows roars like a proud lioness. There is a beautiful but wild energy permeating Widows that reveals the strength, courage and power that women can wield when caught in a world dominated by male-oppression. When we first meet our leads, their identities are tied closely to the men that they love (especially Veronica). However, when threatened by mob boss Jamal Manning to recover the money that their husbands stole from him, they are forced to learn who they are apart from their spouses.

As a result, there is a complexity to these women as they both grieve the loss of their loved ones yet also begin to step out into the light and discover who they are.

From Davis to Debicki (in what may be her breakout role), each female character finds different ways to stand-up against the emotional and physical barriers that have been placed on them by men misusing their power and authority. (With this in mind, it’s no accident that Davis’ Veronica growls that ‘no one thinks [they] have the balls to pull this off.’) Although they find themselves trapped in a ‘man’s game’, these widows prove that their identity and inner strength aren’t decided by a man’s world.

Armed with a whip-smart script and excellent cast, Widows is a film that will surprise you with its depth and emotional punch. Though more popcorn flick than Oscar-fare, the film shows the power of discovering who you are when you’re forced to start over.

Widows is in theatres now.

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: #Metoo, Colin Farrell, Cynthia Erivo, Elizabeth Debicki, feminism, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Duvall, Steve McQueen, thriller, Viola Davis, Widows

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