I can’t say enough about Blackbird. I saw the premiere of the movie Sunday night at the Pan African Film Festival with the cast and crew thanks to Bulleit Bourban for the invite. Blackbird is the “Bulleit Frontier Film” it pushes the boundaries of film and where actors can go to tell a story that needs to be told. This movie definitely pushes the envelope and makes you think about the world today.
Isaiah Washington produced the movie that stars Oscar winner Mo’Nique and the amazingly talented new comer Julian Walker.
Blackbird marks the return of Mo’Nique to the big screen and let me tell you she does not disappoint. Isaiah, Mo’Nique and the cast bring drama and laughter to this buzz worthy film.
Blackbird, is directed by Patrick-Ian Polk. The film is based on the 1986 novel by Larry Duplechan. The coming-of-age film centers around a Mississippi choir boy (Julian Walker) who is coming to terms with his sexuality.
“Blackbird” Feature Film Trailer from KB on Vimeo.
The film talks about sexuality but also child abduction, abortion, teen pregnancy, religion, and parental relationships. Most of us can understand one of those things.
We all had struggles as a teen with our parents, school, friends and life in general. If you’re gay, straight, purple, orange you can feel the power of this movie and what it can do.
Julian Walker who plays the lead spoke last night in a very moving speech and said this was truly his story in many ways. He grew up like his character. Now, he can stand proud. His father and brother were in the audience last night. The audience cried with him and he spoke about this film and what it meant for him. I think it will mean a lot to so many people out there.
Mo’Nique and her husband were executive producers on the project. She said she signed on for the project because Patrick-Ian Polk was fearless. She thought working with Lee Daniels would be the only time she could play with someone like that till she met Patrick.
She went on to say that this film will save a lot of lives. They didn’t sign up to do that but Julian’s work will do that playing this character and being a gay black man himself.
These young people in this movie will be the next generation of Hollywood. In the next 5 years of so you will see them all over the screen. I hope they continue to push the envelope in America’s and the world’s way of thinking.
The next step for Isaiah is to get the film distributed. If you want to see the movie in your community hashtag #Iamblackbird and tweet to Isaiah Washington.
For more on the movie go to https://www.facebook.com/BLKBirdTheFilm/.
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