I don't know how the film is going to be, but these posters are HOT! If you don't know what movie I'm talking about, it's the Tyler Perry-produced adaptation of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by the incomparable Ntozake Shange.
I've been deep in Ntozake-land this weekend, transcribing an interview I did with her a few weeks back and writing an article about her that will appear in an upcoming issue of Heart & Soul magazine. Her life story is nothing but amazing. And her creativity is a marvel.
I'm not the biggest fan of Tyler Perry's Madea plays or movies, but I definitely respect his path and drive. And I did like the first Why Did I Get Married. I'll probably get around to seeing the second one. Where do you stand on Tyler Perry's offerings?
And I'm reading Ntozake's new book, Some Sing, Some Cry, that she wrote with her sister, Ifa Bayeza. If you want to get lost in a lush post-Emancipation, multi-generational read, this is the book for you. It's so moving and has so much depth that I can't endure too much, too often. Reading more than 20 pages at one time for me is like eating too much chocolate cake. It's so rich, it's sinful. Plus I want it to last a long time. I'm always like that with books that have characters I know I'm going to adore, or who will live with me for years - so long that sometimes I think they're real people with whom I've had encounters.
Well actually, it's either read a book like that over months or devour it in nearly one sitting, like I did with Sapphire's Push. I started reading Push on the train to work one day back in the 90s. Got to work, closed my office door, and kept reading. By lunchtime, I knew I was being held hostage by Push when I hadn't even turned on my computer. I gave up for the day, made some excuse, and was back on the train with my book. I finished it that night, brought it to work the nest day to share with my co-worker, who proceeded to do the exact same thing - ignore work to read it immediately.
I love books that can snatch you from you life. I haven't seen Precious, the film adaptation of Push. But the trailer made me tear up and I'm sure I'll get around to it when I'm brave enough. This week I've been hearing lots about the star of the film's Elle cover. What do you think?
Back to For Colored Girls...
I find myself wanting to do something with these posters. I'm not a teen, so I wouldn't plaster them on my wall. But I may add them to the piles of images that I want to scrap book. I used to do a lot of journaling and my journals were peppered with stimulating images. I won't even go into how much my life misses journaling. It certainly does help a person work some things out. I guess I still do journal - on this blog. But it's really not the same. I need that private release. After years of typing and as I let the Internet seep into a larger place in my life, two things - I really hate writing with my hand (oh the shame!) and I love the instant gratification of the Web (even more shame).
And I LOVE Anika Noni Rose. She's been fabulous in everything I've seen her in, from the Jill Scott vehicle, HBO's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" to Dreamgirls and The Princess and the Frog - a favorite of my 4 year old.
Glad to hear the For Colored Girls is heading back to Broadway, starring India.Arie and being produced by Whoopi Goldberg. It's been nearly been nearly 35 years since it debuted and received a Tony Award nomination. Gotta make a trip to the big city to check it out.
I have to give a shout out to The Smithian, who turned me on to Kiss My Black Ads, and the blog's original post about the For Colored Girls posters. If you don't follow the Smithian, you're really missing out.
Couldn't leave you without an image of the woman that started it all. This is us this summer at the National Book Club Conference (thanks Curtis Bunn, Terri Williams and Angela Reid). Ain't Ntozake fab? You should have seen her full back tattoo of orchids and lilies - a gift she said she gave herself for her 50th birthday! She's bad, in the truest sense of the word. A creative visionary.
Haven't read For Colored Girls? It's never too late. Now, off to a Sunday walk and more writing - the kind that pays bills. Hope you're enjoyceinglife, because I certainly am.
Oh, these movie posters are divine!! Definitely collectibles- the kind of visual images that would wind up in my fashion scrapbooks which I have been assembling since the early 90s. I am not the biggest fan of Tyler Perry's stuff as far as content. However, I am glad he is around, if for no other reason to help convince other power brokers in Tinsel Town we want more diverse and complex stories involving people of color that have nothing to do with drug dealers and things exploding- surely this is a possibility right?
ReplyDeleteOkay Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite posts.
I absolutely love these posters. You've made me want to go see the movie. My favorite? Whoopi's - YES !!! And it looks like Tyler has a powerhouse cast. I also adore Anika Noni Rose's work. I interviewed her for The Crisis last year and she is a truly amazing woman - talented, humble, sincere. Just a Joy! Like you, I will head to New York to check out the Broadway revival of Colored Girls.
this is an awesome post, Joyce! and thx for the shout-out!
ReplyDeleteYou know what, JD? YOU BETTA WRITE IT! I'm about to spend a ridiculous amount of time clicking through to all of your links and going to Amazon to buy the book(s) and then coming back here to stare at the images of these BEAUTIFUL posters again.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I was skerd when I heard that TP was doing For Colored Girls... I mean, his movies are okay in a "I love junk food and can't help but to eat it" kinda way, but TP and For Colored Girls? Come on, son. But the women in the movie ARE experts a their craft, for sure, and the material speaks for itself. I'm actually getting kind of excited about seeing the movie now (though I'll buy my ticket with my guard raised)...
And about that Elle cover. Oh. My. How is it, exactly, that a staff of people who usually do a bang-up job making women look absolutely stunning on their covers could go SO WRONG with this one? I mean, that wig? That dress? The close-up? What special brand of crack was the fashion, beauty, and photography team smoking when they did that to that girl? I've seen pictures of Gabby GIVING IT, okay? I get that she's black and the opposite of stick/rail model thin. But really, people? REALLY? That's the best you could do? SMH.
JD: I hope you do more posts like this (and I'm LOVING the redesign!). I love your writing and especially your beautiful mind. Keep it coming!
LOVE.THIS! Joyce I am looking forward to seeing how for colored girls will be portray on film. I really hope it does not disappoint. Reading the choreopoem and watching it live has left an impact on my life like many women. But from the looks of these posters (and the trailer)..so far so good. You can almost feel the characters in each picture. Now, you also got me ready to read Shanges book! Gurl.
ReplyDeleteIdara, I totally agree that there are so many stories about the experiences of people of African descent that don't get the opportunity for a big budget film treatment. I'm encouraged.
ReplyDeleteLottie, Traveling for culture is one of my favorite past times that I've been missing since mommyhood. With Whoopi and Phylicia Rashad behind the FCG Broadway revival, it's just gotta be good.
Danyel, thanks for the love
Denene, you know I love your enthusiasm. Tyler Perry's FCG has me guard-dropping and ticket buying, too - I'd hate to have to give him the side eye, so he better come correct. Looks like he's on the right path - and hopefully his films will continue in this direction. And honestly I feel Gabby is being used and she's probably using them. Besides that horrible raccoon sitting on her head and the unflattering angle they cropped her, I just am not convinced about her talent yet - when so many black actresses have worked hard on their craft for so long with little to no recognition. At this stage there's not much difference between squishing her on the cover and splattering some other fly by night person on the cover. Hopefully she'll live up to her hype by developing some serious acting chops...
Fab Do Gooder, What is so interesting is that the posters and the trailer are having such an impact. So many who were so concerned about Tyler Perry's cinematic vision of Ntozake's amazing choreopoem (including me) are getting excited about the film release - even if they're hesitant. I can't wait to see it.
Thanks for the review, very professional and very interesting. I saw the movie yesterday and despite the complicated plot, I really connected with the movie. Film is highly recommended!
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