These days I anticipate the new issue of Domino magazine way more than the new Vogue. That said, the last few issues have been kind of hard to tell apart. I love environmentally friendly furniture too but how many times do I need to see "recycled" pieces of furniture priced in the thousands of dollars? I was surprised and pleased when the new (August) issue arrived in my mailbox this afternoon because 1) the issue is partially devoted to decorating on a realistic budget and 2) there was an honest to God woman of color on the cover! Upon closer inspection I realized that it was none other than Mara Brock Akil, the producer of two shows I really enjoy, the dearly departed Girlfriends and The Game. As you probably know Mara and Shonda Rhimes are the only Black women producing multiple shows for the networks. While I never really got Grey's (I just can't stand the main character,) I was surprised by how much I am loving The Game, even though I hate football. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Akil will get to try her hand at producing a drama soon. In the meantime, here are the photos of her home and gorgeous family. There definitely some design inspiration there:
I also got my Entertainment Weekly (July 18th issue) and if you're interested there is a brief commentary titled: "It's Time to Put Black Actresses in Hollywood Blockbusters" by Maureaux Watson. I couldn't agree more. I think it's very strange that Will Smith is the biggest movie star in the world yet studios are hesitant to cast a black woman as his love interest in all those blockbuster movies.
ETA: The trailer for "Medicine for Melancholy" -- a film I would definitely leave my house to see. Plus Kavbojka Klub's take on it & Invisible Woman's review of the film.
13 comments:
They ALWAYS put black actresses in Hollywood blockbusters with Will Smith but they never get to do anything but cry or die. Hollywood blockbusters SUCK, we need to get back to making our own films and finding ways to support independent black cinema. One of my favorite films was Hav Plenty but that was a long time ago and I haven't seen hide nor hare of Christopher Scott Cherot since then. I should write a commentary to that magazine called "Yay for Will Smith, but....."
I guess I'm thinking about his most recent movie and Hitch. I have "I Am Legend" but I haven't watched it yet so I don't know who his love interest is in that movie.
Thandie Newton in Pursuit of Happyness (a movie I hated) doesn't count since there was no love to be had there...
The point the article was making was that it's impossible for black actresses to get attention in H'wood and they are always passed over for high profile roles.
Hav Plenty seems like a million years ago doesn't it? Sigh. There were so many beautiful and talented women in that movie.
Well Eva Mendes might not be EXACTLY black but I am gathering her under the big black umbrella (ella ella ella) because I am SURE she is afro-latino and because I kinda just love her, so she wins.
For all that is good and holy do NOT watch I Am Legend.
Also "love interest" is that the best we can hope for?
Did you ever here about THIS film?
http://www.slamxhype.com/2008/05/18/medicine-for-melancholy
I am going post about it on Kavbojka Klub, it's not getting enough attention.
@Also "love interest" is that the best we can hope for?
In Hollywood? I think the answer is yes.
I really can't remember the last time I was impressed with a film. Since the boy was born, I never get to the movies and I can't be convinced that I'm missing anything. It's pathetic.
I haven't heard about the film you linked to but I'll check it out now, can't wait to read your post :)
I love Domino too--thanks for that great info on that and EW.
Btw, I liked I Am Legend...a lot. I also did a review on my blog for "Medicine For Melancholy--hope you get to heck it out. :-)
@invisible woman
Thanks for posting. I thought of you immediately when I saw the article. I'm not sure if it is one the EW website but I'd be happy to scan it for you if you'd like.
Medicine for Melancholy played at the San Francisco International Film Festival; I went to a 3:30 p.m. Wednesday screening and it was sold out. It was a lovely and interesting film, but didn't get distribution as far as I could tell and I came away thinking, wow, what if BET or TVOne (is that still in existence?) bought and screened and supported films like this? There is so much black artistic talent that ends up taking a day job because their work isn't supported. This film's director (and some of the performers) was working at the Banana Republic store here when he made the film; I think he may still be. So happy to see you mention it here.
And thanks, Invisible Woman, for your review!
I don't understand the hesitation on the part of BET and TVOne to start catering to their non-hip hop video obsessed audience. If they tried it and it failed miserably, that would be one thing but they don't even try. There are all these articles about the lack of quality programming on regular network TV and no one ever hears a peep from BET.
I love Domino too. I am just addicted to your blog. You and it are fab and fierce. Sorry to bwe cliche ;D
@naturally sophia - Thanks!
I read that entertainment weekly article as well.
The fact is hollywood is all about money... they know that if they cast a black woman alongside a blackbuster its going to be characterized as a "black film" and they wont get a wide audience.
The same reason that Tyler Perry is now using white actors in the family that preys because he wants to cross over and not be looked at as a filmmaker that only does "black films." Just as Spike Lee did.
We have to face the fact that wide audiences dont want to hear our story... and until the mindsets of America changes to want to see us in roles that dont make us look like the most ignorant people alive on the big screen... the filmmakers will always only follow the money. Its just sad that the African American actresses are the ones that are going to have to suffer because of that.
But all of this is nothing new... it was the same way in the Dorothy Dandridge days. It was just justified because of segregation but best believe when it comes to blockbusters, the industry is still very much so segregated.
brigitte, i've scoured the internet and i could only find scans of the mara brock akil/domino mag article here.
i tried enlarging the scans but i still couldn't read them. the article contains information about salim akil's art. an email address and/or contact info. would you kindly forward this info to me? i'd be really grateful.
materialgirl@ballerstatus.net
@ethyl-no9
I recently purged my magazine collection so I'm not sure if I still have this issue unfortunately.
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