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Janelle Mon?e

Films in Full Colour #4 – MOONLIGHT

June 28, 2020 by Steve Norton

We, at ScreenFish, believe that we are all created in God?s image and want to show our support where we can to those in the Black Community who continue to battle against systemic racism. While our team strives for diversity, we can always do better ourselves in giving voice to those who need the chance to speak out and be heard.?

In our new series, ?Films in Full Colour?, we will be examining films that explore issues specifically within the black community. For each episode, my co-host will be Jordan Thoms, pastor of Warden Underground Church in Toronto and our hope is that, through the lens of film, we might be able to shine light on the issues faced every day by African Americans. This week, Jordan and I welcome back Erico Kabongo to talk about male role models, confidence in our identity and sexual stereotyping in the black community in Barry Jenkins? Moonlight.

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue the conversation at home? ?Click the link below to download ?Fishing for More? ? some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

Films in Full Colour #4: MoonlightDownload

June 28, 2020 by Steve Norton Filed Under: Featured, Film, Podcast Tagged With: Barry Jenkins, Black Lives Matter, Janelle Mon?e, LGBTQ, Mahershala Ali, Moonlight, Naomie Harris

Harriet: Prophet Motif

January 20, 2020 by Darrel Manson

?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 Mon?e) 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.

January 20, 2020 by Darrel Manson Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: Cynthia Erivo, Harriet Tubman, Janelle Mon?e, Joshuah Campbell, Kasi Lemmons, Leslie Odom Jr., prophet, slavery, Underground Railroad, Vondie Curtis-Hall

Harriet: Leader to Freedom

November 1, 2019 by Julie Levac

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.”

November 1, 2019 by Julie Levac Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Premieres, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Araminta Ross, Civil War, Cynthia Erivo, Harriet, Harriet Tubman, Janelle Mon?e, Kasi Lemmons, Leslie Odom Jr., Minty, slavery, Underground Railroad

GIVEAWAY (Canada Only): UGLYDOLLS Sneak Preview!

April 24, 2019 by Steve Norton

Have some fun with your family this weekend!

The free-spirited UglyDolls confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most.

When: Saturday, April 27th
Where: Toronto ? Cineplex Yonge-Dundas ? 10:00 am

Montreal ? Cineplex Forum ? 10:00 am

Vancouver ? Cineplex International Village ? 10:30 am

Winners will receive a Family Pack of 4 tickets to the preview screening of Ugly Dolls in their city

To enter, simply write your city in the comment section and like or share our post on Facebook! For a bonus entry, like or share the post on Twitter and Instagram.

All entries must be completed by 11:59am on Friday, April 26th, 2019.

A special thanks to VVS Films for their support.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzbxSpBOJ6Eh

Social: @vvs_films, #UglyDolls

April 24, 2019 by Steve Norton Filed Under: Film, Giveaways Tagged With: animated, Blake Shelton, Janelle Mon?e, Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Pitbull, Ugly Dolls

Moonlight: Best Picture Winner – Who Is You?

February 28, 2017 by Darrel Manson

?At some point you need to decide for yourself who you gonna be. Can?t let nobody make that decision.?

?Who is you??

Moonlight

Identity is a central focus of Moonlight, a story that follows an African American character (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Travonta Rhodes) through three stages in his life. Known variously as Little, Chiron, and Black (those names serve as the chapter titles of the three stages of his life) this character is struggling to know who he is and what his place is in the world. As a child Chiron (his real name) is being raised by a drug addicted mother (Naomie Harris) in a tough housing project in Miami. He?s tentative and uneasy with the other children whotorment and bully him. He is befriended by Juan (Mahershala Ali), a black Cuban American, and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Mon?e), who become surrogate parents, especially Teresa.

Moonlight

As an adolescent, he?s struggling to understand his sexuality. He is still being bullied, but now because it is assumed he is gay. An old childhood friend, Kevin (also played by a variety of actors through the story), connects with him while all others shun him. Yet a betrayal leads Chiron into a very new phase of his life.

As an adult Chiron seems to have found his place in the world, but it is not the life we may have hoped for him. When he gets a call from someone in his past, he decides to go see where that may lead. Perhaps there is more to who Chiron has become than his outward life would imply.

In each stage, Chiron struggles to know who he is as opposed to who everyone else thinks he is. While this is touted as a study of the African American coming of age experience, it is far more universal than that description would suggest. At each stage in his life there are forces at work on him?some positive, others destructive, still others that have potential to be either. There are people he loves along the way, but those people are often the ones who disappoint him the most. He has to choose the roads he will travel?and the person he will be.

While we might look at Chiron?s life and see the various influences that pushed him, we know that in the end it is Chiron who is ultimately responsible for who he is and who he is yet to become. His struggle for identity is not settled at the end of the film. There may well be more to come than he has allowed himself to imagine.

Photos courtesy of A24

The Best Picture and Original Screenplay winning film comes with the audio commentary by director Barry Jenkins, a take on the making of the film, a focus on music, and the on-set filming in Miami.?

February 28, 2017 by Darrel Manson Filed Under: DVD, Film, Oscar Spotlight, Reviews Tagged With: Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Barry Jenkins, coming-of-age, drug abuse, drug selling, Janelle Mon?e, LGBT, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Trevonta Rhodes

3.13 Finding Ourselves in the MOONLIGHT

February 25, 2017 by Steve Norton

https://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/3.13-Moonlight.mp3

This week, Steve welcomes back Audra Grey-Choy and Shelley McVea to wrestle with issues of identity, sexuality and cultural definitions of masculinity in Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT!

Want to continue to conversation at home? ?Click the link below to download ?Fishing for More? ? some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3.13 Moonlight

A very special thanks to Audra (Adonai Creative Arts) and Shelley for coming back on the show!

February 25, 2017 by Steve Norton Filed Under: Film, Oscar Spotlight, Podcast Tagged With: Academy Awards, Barry Jenkins, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Janelle Mon?e, Jimmy Kimmel, La La Land, Mahershala Ali, Moonlight, Naomie Harris, Oscars, OscarsSoWhite

3.11 Discovering the HIDDEN FIGURES

February 12, 2017 by Steve Norton

https://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2.11-Hidden-Figures.mp3

This week on the show, Chris Utley joins Steve to talk diversity in the Oscars and their response to last years #OscarsSoWhite controversy! ?Plus, they also look at the Oscar-nominated film, HIDDEN FIGURES and the cultural impact of breaking barriers of ?race and gender!

Want to continue to conversation at home? ?Click the link below to download ?Fishing for More? ? some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3.11 Hidden Figures

Thanks to Chris Utley for being on the show this week!

February 12, 2017 by Steve Norton Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Academy Awards, America, Best Picture, Donald Trump, Grammys, Hidden Figures, Janelle Mon?e, Octavia Spencer, Oscars, OscarsSoWhite, Pharrel, Taraji P Henson, Trump, women, women's rights

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