Black in Period Films

John Legend is on a roll! After executive producing the successful series Underground and executive producing the promising film Southside With You Legend is adding another period project to his executive producing resume. Joining him in the development of the project is the stunning Tika Sumpter (Sparkle, Bessie, and Southside With You). The project will be set in early 20th century Greenwood, Tulsa infamously known as Black Wall Street. During the 20th century this neighborhood was the site of a thriving Black community; one of the most successful of it's time. That is of course until the 1921 Tulsa race riot when the community was destroyed by angry Whites. The series will most likely build up to the 1921 riot.  I'm very excited about the series because it is set in a time period not often done in Black period films, the 20th century costumes will look amazing, and seeing wealthy Black Americans in a period film/series will be a nice change of pace. The estimated premier...

    The trailer for the Hidden Figures film. Hidden Figures is about NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) as they work together to help launch astronaut John Glenn into outer space.  I love this trailer. I can't find anything that I would consider a flaw. It gave me everything that I want out of a period film. Beautiful and accurate costumes, great acting, and romance. We all know Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer will be wonderful. However, it was interesting to see Janelle Monae in an acting role and I believe she will be amazing. I'll be watching this film in theaters come January 2017. What do you think about the trailer? 

NOTE: This is a speculative post I don't have any Insider information everything I say below is based on my personal opinions and hopes for the film. Now that Zendaya is officially credited on the The Greatest Showman on Earth (2017) IMDB I’ll write about what her role could possibly entail. In my opinion the possibilities are thrilling because of the time period this film will be set in. The film is described as a Biodrama Musical about the story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Because P.T. Barnum lived from 1810 to 1891 the film will be a period drama. This will be Zendaya’s first role in a period costume drama. Sources say Zendaya will be playing opposite Zac Efron as his girlfriend. Besides the time period we also have to consider how Zendaya's race will play into the film. There are three options. The film could not mention her race at all, they could make her ...

There has been talk about a film in the makings called The Greatest Showman on Earth. It focuses on the life of P.T. Barnum. My interest in this film was first peaked when I heard about the possible casting of Zendaya as Zac Efron’s girlfriend within the film. I began doing research on P.T. Barnum and was pulled into his interesting life and circus attractions. Once I began reading up on his circus attractions I began to think about the possibilities for this film to include diverse talent. One of the features of a great circus is diversity after all.  Barum did not have a life or circus that only included White Americans so the last thing this film should do is portray it as such. Here are just a few of the attractions from his museum and circus that included people of color throughout the 1800’s:   William Henry Johnson  aka Zip the Pinhead (1842-1926)                               ...

Here is the trailer for the much awaited LOVING film (there is a lot of Oscar talk circling the film). I was already looking forward to it but I must say the look of the film made me even more excited!  From her small bits in the trailer this Irish and Ethiopian woman delivered a heck of a Virginia accent. Some might disagree with me but I'm pleasantly surprised. Let's see how it pans out in the film. The film will be in theaters November 4! What do you think about the trailer? Is it exciting or underwhelming?

This is the first gif that I have made myself and I am so excited about the possibilities.  I gif'd this image because it encapsulates the beautiful costumes and romantic air that are a staple in many period films. To have these qualities applied to a black character is such a rare occurrence. How many chances do we get to see Black women in beautiful period correct bonnets with parasols in the cinematic landscape? Not often. But that's a post for another time.

I recently re-watched the Color Purple and I appreciate it much more as an adult than I did as a teen. Even as a teen I knew the movie was a beautiful piece of art. But now as an adult with much more life under my belt I can understand and articulate why the film is so beautiful to me.  Upon my re-watch I noticed a major theme that I had not before. The theme of hope is present throughout the entire film. No matter what Celie is going through the surroundings are still bright. Besides complementing the beautiful brown skin of the cast the coloring also serves as a sign of hope. The message is simple yet uplifting. In this world we experience pain, suffering, and lose but we must not give up on ourselves or others.  At the end of the film I realized that everything Celie lost she gained back by the end of the film. She lost her children but gained them both back. She lost her sister for a while but in time she gained her beloved companion back. Finally she lost her...