Sophie Okonedo to star in ‘The Secret Life of Bees’

Written by Laura Adibe | June 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Based on the 2002 best selling novel by author Sue Monk Kidd, the cast includes Sophie Okonedo, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Nate Parker and Tristan Wilds. The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball, Disappearing Acts). » Read more…

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Idris Elba and Thandie Newton in RocknRolla

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Idris Elba and Thandie Newton will be in the new movie about a Russian mobster who orchestrates a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London’s criminal underworld. A dangerous crime lord, a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and a band of petty thieves are among those who work really hard to double-cross one another.

The movies features a star studded cast including Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris (yes, Ludacris!), and Jamie Campbell Bower give their all to the movie. Thandie is the sexy accountant (in case you weren’t sure). Overall it will be interesting to see what the viewers think of the movie–A Guy Ritchie production in the vein of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels“. The movie is slated to premiere sometime in September or October of 2008. » Read more…

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Benu Mabhena’s Long Road To Stardom

Written by Grace Yama | June 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

She makes her screen debut in the Hollywood action drama Blood Diamond, as Djimon Hounsou’s wife. Living in exile with her father, Benu fled for her life from her native country Zimbabwe and came to the states.

» Read more…

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Sophie Okonedo

Written by Grace Yama | May 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Sophie Okonedo was born in England to a Nigerian father and a Jewish mother. Sophie’s father left the family when she was only 5 years old. Coupled with her multiracial makeup, she endured a rough childhood, therefore as she grew up, she found comfort and solace in art of performing. » Read more…

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Lights, Camera, Action: Liya Kebede

Written by Laura Adibe | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

According to AOL Black Voices, Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede has been tapped to play Somali model Waris Dirie in Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad, a film based on Dirie’s successful autobiography about her experience with female circumcision. Kebede will start filming in Europe in June. » Read more…

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Mirt Sost Shi Amit (aka Harvest: 3000 Years)

Written by Laura Adibe | April 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This powerful film written and directed by veteran filmmaker Haile Gerima (Sankofa, Bush Mama) will screen at the Tribeca Film Festival. » Read more…

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Kassim The Dream

Written by Laura Adibe | April 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Kief Davidson directs the story of Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, a former junior middleweight boxing world champ. Kassim, born in Uganda, had been trained as a child soldier at six years old and forced to commit unspeakable atrocities until he was eighteen. Eventually, Kasim comes to the United States and tries to start a new life for himself, although the memories of his past continue to haunt him. » Read more…

Filed in Cinema » Film » Reviews - Moto

The Narrow Path

Written by Laura Adibe | April 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

What is admirable about Nollywood film is the ability by its filmmakers to put together films on moderate budgets with quick turnarounds. Kelani’s film, done on a moderate budget, pieces together a story with a very important message. The Narrow Path deals with such issues as rape, marriage, and innocence. » Read more…

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Idris Elba talks about his role as a detective in “The Prom”

Written by Laura Adibe | April 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

What attracted you to the film?

IE: It was just that I hadn’t done a thriller like this, and I like to play different parts, and I hadn’t played too many cops, and the script was decent.

From ‘The Reaping’ to ‘28 Weeks Later’, this film falls within the same genre like the others. Do you have a liking to this genre? » Read more…

Filed in Cinema » Film » The Reel Deal

“Steep” - A Film By Adetoro Makinde

Written by Laura Adibe | April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

A simple Saturday sales turns into an examination of character when an everyday experience is colored by a past event. » Read more…

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Filmmaker Spotlight: Ousmane Sembène (January 1, 1923 - June 9, 2007)

Written by Laura Adibe | April 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Born the son of a fisherman, Senegalese film director, writer and producer Ousmane Sembène started off writing novels earlier in his career. His novels dealt with issues of racism and classism. Sembène’s third and most famous novel Les Bouts de Bois de Dieu (God’s Bits of Wood, 1960) is considered by most critics a masterpiece. The novel fictionalizes the real-life story of a railroad strike on the Dakar-Niger line and lasted from 1947 to 1948. » Read more…

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