By Ama Brown, Special to the AFRO The cast of “The Lion in Winter” held their opening night on Oct. 20. The intriguing story of the succession of kings will show at Everyman Theatre from Oct. 18 to Nov. 13. The play is focused on King Henry, who is coming into the ‘winter season’ of […]
Category: TV and Film
Posted inArts & Culture
Limited showings of ‘Till’ film draw positive attention and death threats ahead of national release
By AFRO Staff Director Chinomye Chukwu recently released a film focused on the life of Emmett Louis Till, the 14-year-old boy who, in death, became a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in 1955. The film was released in select theaters on Oct. 14 after a showing at the 2022 New York Film Festival […]
Posted inTV and Film
Top 10 must-see Black documentaries
By The Houston Defender, Word in Black The AFRO’s October Special Edition is all about the roots of our culture, our family lineage and the return to old ways and traditions. Below you will find a list of documentaries, based on the roots of African-American culture, compiled by our Word in Black partner, The Houston […]
Posted inTV and Film
New documentary by Henry Louis Gates Jr. debuts ahead of ninth season of ‘Finding Your Roots’
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Report for America Corps Member, tmcqueen@afro.com The multi-talented Henry Louis Gates Jr. continues to put forth notable work for the Black community. The popular documentary series “Finding Your Roots,” hosted by Gates, will kick off its ninth season in January 2023. Ahead of the new season, a new documentary, […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
#NNPA BLACKPRESS IN MEMORIAM: ‘American Idol’ runner-up killed in car crash at 23
By Malik Brown | RollingOut.com Singer Willie Spence, who finished in second place on Season 19 of American Idol in 2021, died in a car crash in Tennessee on Oct. 11. He was 23-years-old. A family member said that Spence had a flat tire but allegedly got it fixed as he was coming home to Atlanta from Tennessee. Willie […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Documentaries on three powerful Black women reveal new facts
Courageous ancestors: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Thea Bowman honored with new films By Ralph E. Moore Jr., Special to the AFRO As more true history is being uncovered these days, we can happily enjoy three recently created documentaries about three powerful women who made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many. Harriet […]
Posted inTV and Film
Apple TV+ to release ‘Emancipation’ with Will Smith, months after actor’s physical assault of fellow comedian
By Jake Coyle, The Associated Press After holding it in limbo following Will Smith’s assault of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards in March, Apple will release the actor’s next big project, “Emancipation,” this December. In the fallout of Smith’s smack of the comedian, the fate of “Emancipation” — a $120 million runaway slave thriller […]
Posted inBaltimore News
‘Our Town’ opens at Center Stage in Baltimore
By Beverly Richards, Special to the AFRO Located in the heartbeat of Baltimore, play lovers united to see Stevie Walker-Webb’s contemporary take on the American classic, “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder. The play focuses on community and how we live this life connected, “two-by-two.” That sense of community hits you immediately when you enter Center […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Till Debuts at 2022 New York Film Festival
by Dwight Brown, NNPA News Wire Film Critic “Hardly a moment goes by when I don’t think about Emmett and the lessons a son can teach a mother.” Quoted from Mamie Till-Mobley. Emmett Till, a black teen, was murdered by racists in Money, Mississippi on April 28th in 1955. Writer/director Chinonye Chukwu (Clemency) and cowriters […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Emory University offers 1st ever course on Tyler Perry
By AFRO Staff Madea is going to school this fall. Emory University’s Oxford College, based in Georgia, is currently offering a course based on Tyler Perry’s body of work, including his most-known character, “Madea,” and his impact on the entertainment industry. It is the first college course of its kind in the country, according to […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rihanna to headline 2023 Super Bowl halftime show
By Jake Coyle, The Associated Press Rihanna will take center stage at February’s Super Bowl halftime show. The singer, who declined to perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, will headline the 2023 Super Bowl, the NFL announced Sunday along with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Apple Music. Rihanna […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Maryland Public Television honors life and legacy of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass with separate films
By Grace Kpetemey, Special to the AFRO and Alexis Taylor, AFRO News Editor The courage, strength and legacy of abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass will be on full display this month. Two separate PBS documentaries, co-produced by Maryland Public Television and Firelight Films, will premier in the beginning of October. In January of this […]