10 Black Women Media and Film Makers Who Inspire Us

by: April D. Byrd

Congratulations to Ava Duvernay on becoming the first Black woman director to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director in the motion picture category. Her nomination and those of other black media and film makers may be over due, but it's still inspiring. Film makers and other creative women in media like Ava give me hope. Media is a powerful tool. I'm hopeful and inspired by Ava and other creatives because their success, along with their drive affirm that our voices can and will be heard, but also honored.

Ava's work is praise worthy along with other talented black voices shaping media and film. For media creators young and old, it's good to see people who follow their passion and gain reputable success. There are a number of Black women media pioneers who are rising to the occasion and serving as inspiration, hopefully for more creatives to come. Here are a few play makers who are changing the game and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Can you think of any other Black women in media and film who are changing the game? Tyra Banks, Queen Latifah, Karen Civil? You? Let us know your thoughts and picks in the comments section below. You can follow this conversation and the latest updates on Trey Anthony's Facebook fan page.




- April D. Byrd is a Writer, and the creator of  breathoflifedaily.com

Quvenzhané Wallis Slays Hard Knock Life Performance On Dancing With The Stars

by: April D. Byrd

This performance of Hard-Knock life by Quvenzhané Wallis and company was fierce. If you didn't catch it on the show Dancing With The Stars here's the replay, or even if you did it's worth watching again...or several times. The awesome young star who we first came to love in Beasts Of The Southern Wild is back at it again.

Quvenzhané  is starring in the remake of the film "Annie" which is opening in theaters on December 19th.  I'm looking  forward to seeing her performance in the film even more now. Go girl!!

Watch Below:




Are we agreed this was the cutest thing ever?! and how much are we loving that the host was pronouncing her name right! Leave your thoughts/comments below, and Join in on the conversation on Trey Anthony's Facebook Fanpage.



-- April D. Byrd is the Creator and Editor-In-Chief of breathoflifedaily.com

Infographic Highlights Racial Success and Inequality in Hollywood

by April D. Byrd

source

African-Americans have 1,038 Billion dollars worth of buying power 12 Years A Slave pulled the same ROI as The Hunger Games with a significantly smaller budget, and Black Film Festivals are on the rise, so what's going on? Will we keep up the good trend? A new Info-graphic created by the New York Film Academy has nearly everything we could ever love to know about the progress and status of black people in the film industry.

The graphic includes a timeline of success and innovation in black film, as well as many ways African-Americans lag behind in media. Last year was really good for Black Hollywood, but are our stories being handled correctly? Producer Will Packer had some "Powerful" advice regarding that front as listed in the graphic:

"It's imperative that the next generation of young black film makers realize that their power is in their unique perspectives, unique skill sets, and unique stories. Standing out is a good thing in Hollywood."

That is highly agreed, director Malcolm D. Lee also advised quite simply to "Just keep making quality movies." How far have we come and How far do we intend to go? The info-graphic definitely stands as a good compass and resource. Check it out for yourself (below):

Click to See Full Graphic

                                                           Click to See Full Graphic

How are you feeling about the state of Black Film and entertainment? Do you think  Black Hollywood needs to up the ante? More Genres? More diversity? or are we feeling fine with where it's at? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and follow the convo on Trey Anthony's Facebook Fanpage. Let's Hear it!

New "Annie" Film Produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith (Video)

by: April D. Byrd

The trailer for The highly anticipated remake of "Annie" finally hit the internet. The remake of the classic 1982  film stars Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz. The film will also feature modern remakes of the signature songs "Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow".

The story line features Jamie Foxx as Billionaire Benjamin Stacks, and Quvenzhané Wallis who captured our hearts in "Beasts Of The Southern Wild" in the title role of Annie. As the story goes Stacks, a politician initially uses Annie as a prop to advance his political career, but has a change of heart when the bond between him and Annie (Wallis) grows stronger.

No word on whether Jay-Z's infamous 1998 Hard Knock Life sample made the cut in the new film, but he does serve as a producer along with Will Smith. "Annie" starts playing in theaters on Christmas Day. Until then check out the first official trailer: (Below). 

What are your thoughts on the remake? Do you think the Oscar Winner, and the Oscar Nominee will do it justice? Leave a Comment and join in on the discussion on Trey Anthony's Fan Page.

Watch This! A Story of Sisterhood: "The Door" By Ava DuVernay & Mui Mui, Starring Gabby Union, Goapele & Alfre Woodard

 
Last night I watched "The Door", a short film collaboration between filmmaker Ava DuVernay and fashion brand Miu Miu as part of the brand's "Women's Tales" series. And, I was completely blown away by the film's stunning visuals and the simplicity of the story telling. The silent film infuses everything - music, bold colours and beautiful fashion - to tell a story of sisterhood, love, the people in our lives who lift us up when we refuse to pick ourselves up after loss and our journeys back to becoming whole again.

"The Door" showcases the kinds of essential friendships that every womyn needs in her circle: the older sister figure who is there to listen and give you advice, the fun sister-friend who is guaranteed to make you laugh and take you out of your comfort zone, the close friend who when shows up you know everything will be all right and then finally the mother figure who is wise enough to advise you that things will get better. Whether you see these characteristics in different friends or perhaps in one girlfriend, it makes you really think about who you would lean on in your hardest of times.

Here's a description of the film:

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness.

“In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”

Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

I can go on about what a beautiful portrayal of friendship, black womyn and self-discovery this but watch it for yourselves here:

Meet me in the comment section and tell me what you think of this film!

The Conflict With 'Django Unchained": Slavery as a Comedy?

By now, I'm sure you have heard all the press and talk surrounding Quentin Tarantino's latest film Django Unchained. The film, in typical Tarantino fashion is quite unconventional in that it tells the story of a slave-turned-bounty hunter who sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. 

There have been plenty of rave reviews so far including one from Oprah who called the film, “laugh out loud funny” and “cathartic”. Are we talking about the same movie? Folks, clearly this is not your typical Roots or Alex Haley's Queen film that shows the same image of slaves that we've seen for many years.

The reviews pouring in so far and pre-screenings have had quite a few people up in arms about the lightness in which the film is portrayed. Spike Lee spoke out this past weekend, stating that he refuses to see it. He later posted to his Twitter account that, "American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It Was A Holocaust. My Ancestors Are Slaves. Stolen From Africa. I Will Honor Them."

To find humour in a subject that runs so deep that we still see the effects of it to this day, does not sit well with a lot of people. One of the darkest moments in history is now a story that is projected onscreen for all people of all races to see and to potentially find humour in?

It is a difficult issue to draw the line on because as a comedian I understand the importance of humour. Especially with serious topics, comedy often serves as the medicine in a candy as it creates the ability to get a message across and reach people in a way that resonates with them. Humour often creates openness and dialogue. But, can you sugar coat a film about slavery?

We haven't seen a story told about slavery in a very long time as it is a topic that has increasingly become one that is swept under the rug for people to deny its current day impact. Perhaps, this film can serve as an entertaining way to appeal to the masses and re-start the conversation on our history.

I'm still deciding on if I will go and check it out. Will you be hitting up the theatres this week to see Django Unchained? Who saw it yesterday? Let me know your thoughts and reviews!