Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama wowed audiences on the opening night of the Martha’s Vineyard Black Film Festival to celebrate their documentary. downward.
The couple attended the event on Friday to promote the film, which was picked up by Higher Ground Productions after its premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and will be released on Netflix later this year. Director Margaret Brown’s film, which comes from Participant Media, focuses on the residents of Africatown, a small community in Alabama that shares a shared history as descendants of Clotilda, the last slave ship known to smuggle captives from Africa to United States. The ship was a century-old open secret that has been confirmed by marine archaeologists in recent years.
after introduction downward Executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the Obamas took the stage at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts. Michelle told the film’s crowd, “He spoke to us right away, so we wanted to make sure we were here to show our support to everyone involved.”
He explained that the film is a reminder of the importance of sharing personal information and community history with younger generations. “Rha downward It reminds us to tell our stories to our younger selves,” Michelle said. “We have to be them. We cannot continue the tradition of silencing our pain. Because what this film shows is that our stories are the power that makes us see.”
Barak also took the podium to thank Netflix, the project team and festival founders Floyd and Stephanie Rance. The Promised land The author emphasized “the importance of stories and who is telling the stories and which stories are valid and which stories are discarded. One of the strengths of this festival and the work that Rances has done is telling stories that are often lost over time. Because we believe that everyone’s stories matter. “
in your review downward, the hollywood reporter Critic Lovia Giarquier hailed it as a “deadly Impressionist document”.
The Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival runs August 5-13.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.
