Black in Period Films

Focus Features has released the poster and trailer for the upcoming Harriet Tubman biopic, titled Harriet. Tony award winning actress Cynthia Erivo leads the film as Harriet Tubman. The legendary Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou) is the director. Alongside Erivo, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Zackary Momoh, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Deborah Ayorinde round out the cast. Check out the thrilling trailer below!!

More of the cast for the upcoming Focus Feature Harriet Tubman biopic has been announced. Actress Deborah Ayorinde Actor Clarke Peters (Underground) Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway (Stompin at the Savoy, The Temptations, What's Love Got to Do with It) Actor Henry Hunter Hall IMdB has him credited as a character named, Walter.  Zackary Momoh (A United Kingdom) The Harriet cast is shaping up nicely. I am excited about the possibilities.  What do you think about the cast update?

Like many films of its kind Stompin' at the Savoy begins with actual vintage images of Black people from the portrayed time period. I think this is done for two reasons. 1. It helps transition the viewers into the story and time period. 2. It is a device that is used to remind the audience that Black Americans were actually present during that era. Regardless of the reason I like the effect it gives during the viewing experience. The reason why this device works is because the entire film works towards fully immersing the viewers into the period of spirit of the era. I really enjoyed the first half of the film. It was very enjoyable to see beautiful Black women of various shades decked out in period correct 1930's attire. You could put screenshots along side actual photos from the period and not know which one is real and which one is from the film. What do you think? The fun music and dancing at the Savoy (the famous Harlem nightclub) pulled me right ...