King Richard and the slap

You don't have to know much about tennis to realize that Venus and Serena Williams were famous, not only for their athletic ability, but also their personality.  Of course another sports film might not be what you are hunting for.  There is more to this movie as recognized by the Academy.

One noticed that there were few blacks in the tennis world and that might seem noteworthy.  How did they overcome what must have been racial barriers?  How did two sisters from a middle class background both become so dominant?  Part of the answer is in the title--"King Richard."   We are all products of our parents and for most of us that works out not too bad.  Venus and Serena had a father (assisted by their mother) who had a plan for them, he claims before birth.  He chose tennis as he felt blacks winning in that sport would be attention getting.  But more than that he wanted them to be well rounded with a strong education.

Previously unknown to most fans, he had three other daughters and they were valued as well.  They traveled together and at one point he insisted a contract had to be for the whole family.

He and his wife identified the two of their daughters as having enough talent.  They used community facilities to build up their tennis skills, but were constantly angling to get professional coaching.  They had few resources, but were persistent.  Finally using videos and mostly a charming aggressive approaches he broke through and was able to strongly impress a coach who would teach one of them for free.  Later on Richard was able to get an even better coach and the younger daughter squeezed into training.

While all this is going on Richard was determined that all his children would get a balanced education, insisting on top marks.  As the older daughter Venus was winning matches he became concerned she was bragging (boosted by his other daughters).  He showed them all a video of "Cinderella" and asked them what they got out of it.  What he was looking for was that Cinderella was humble and that is what he expected of his daughters.

While the coaches were pushing what they saw as extraordinary talent, Richard was constantly trying to push different techniques.  Later he seemed vindicated by a repetitive suggestion, but for the most part he seemed like an interfering parent.  It became very annoying when he went against some experienced advice about the career path of Venus.  He insisted that the whole family be included to a training camp in Florida from their California home, then he said his daughter would not participate in any junior tournaments.  The coaches had touted the path of Jennifer Campriatti who had won numerous tournaments, but as we soon learned developed bad habits involving drugs.  His daughters all got high marks in school and Venus was able to speak four languages. 

The movie heads for the anticipated climax, after all,we know where the two women end up, but the writer and director have something else in mind.  It does not end with a victory, but does end in joy.  During the end credits we can read about their amazing accomplishments that seem like mere footnotes.

There are a few sidebars about the racial situation with a tv news clip of the Rodney King beating and once in awhile Richard expresses sarcastic biting remarks against racist assumptions going further on one occasion.

There was more than an interesting story and a well known actor to make this a satisfying view. 

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin.

Aunjanue Ellis played the mother and as such also got a Oscar nomination.  Received a B.A. in African-American studies from Brown University.  Some of her films include "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" (2009), "The Help" (2011), "The Book of Negroes" (2015), "If Beale Street Could Talk" (2018) and  "Desginated Survivor" (2018-2019).  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/09/the-book-of-negroes.html

Tony Goldwyn played the first coach.  He is the son of Sam Goldwyn Jr and has himself been an actor, director and producer.  Films he has appeared in include:"Ghost" (1990), "The Pelican Brief" (1993), "Truman" (1995), "Scandal" 2012-2018) where he played the president for seven seasons.  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/12/truman-vs-today.html

Jon Bernthal played the second coach.  Born in Washington DC, son of a lawyer he studied acting in Moscow, Russia where he also played professional baseball.  Back in America he has been in such films as "The Ghost Writer" (2010), "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013), "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" (2015) "Sicario" (2015), "The Accountant" (2016), "Wind River" (2017), "Baby Driver" (2017), "Widows" (2018),  "The Walking Dead" (2010-2018), "Ford v Ferrari" (2019) and "The Unforgivable" (2021).

Saniyya Sidney was chosen to play Venus Williams.  Before that she had appeared in "Hidden Figures" (2016), and "Fences" (2016).

Demi Singleton was picked to play Serena.  She had appeared in one film and more recently a series, "Godfather of Harlem."

Will Smith of course was the star.  He had plenty of smart quips you might associate with him in other roles.  At points you might not have liked him as he was an overbearing parent who occasionally lost his temper.  He started his career as a rapper on "The Fresh Prince of Belair" and went on to do such films as "I, Robot" (2004), "Hitch" (2005), "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006) and ""Concussion" (2018).  He also produced a number of films including  "The Pursuit of Happyness"  and "The Karate Kid (2010) with his son Jaden.   He along with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith produced the film.

You probably know lots about two of the executive producers, Venus and Serena Williams.  They helped make sure the story was factual.

Will may well be best remembered for slapping the face of Chris Rock on international tv at this years' Oscar Awards.  While this was shaping, I was semi dozed in bed and was startled and then confused with this action.  Revisiting I learned the host Chris Rock had been spouting out a series of "comic" insults to the audience and hit on one towards Will's wife that at first Will laughed at, but after glancing at his wife, saw she was not amused.  He was in the front row and easily got on stage and not only hit Chris, but swore which was picked up on many videos.  

Many have expressed their opinions.  Many of us thought he was protecting his wife.  Kareem Abdul Jabbar wrote that he felt Will lived up to an unfortunate stereotype, an angry black man.  The Academy decided he would be banned from any awards for 10 years.  Everyone wishes Chris Rock would have chosen a different joke.

An Oscar carries an amount of profit for a film financier.  Many film makers will be reluctant to invest in Will Smith because they will be missing that extra inducement.  On the other hand ten years is a long time and Will has proved to be a versatile money maker so when the right circumstances occur he may well find himself the solution to some one's problem.  A few years back there was great consternation that no blacks were nominated for an acting award. 

I like him as an actor and appreciate he is talented as a producer.  But he will always be associated with the slap.  The movie stands on its own and is one my favorites so far this year.

The Book of Negroes

When The Book of Negroes won Canada Reads I was able to buy a copy.  I read it as an entertaining story, but confess much of it was not properly understood.  I was conscious of story that stretched from African kidnappings to American slavery to the War of Independence to Nova Scotia settlement and over to Sierra Leone with some legislative impact in England.

I had met Lawrence Hill at a Human Library event held at the Hamilton Public Library.  He caught me with one of my prejudices; a black subgroup.  He did discuss this mini series which was in progress at the time, but we mostly talked of his personal history and marketing strategies which in part involved book clubs.  He felt a two hour movie would not convey enough.  The mini series was a first as none of his earlier books had generated film interest.  The mini-series seemed the most practical way to convey a complicated book.

Special features of the DVD proved to be a treasure chest.  A female actress commented how she was impressed that the author could get inside a female mind.  Lawrence Hill had written a few books previously mostly told from a male perspective.  He explained that he had been surrounded by strong women and he enjoyed listening to them and felt a woman's perspective would be a better way to tell the story.

Visiting his parents Lawrence picked up a book "The Black Loyalists" that had been written by a family friend.   The Book of Negroes was an actual document organized by the British Admiralty to record negroes eligible to move to Nova Scotia.  Lawrence felt Canadians although aware of slavery in the United States were unaware that it also existed in Canada.  The first slaves go back to 1628 in French Canada and did include indigenous people.  Lawrence's father, Daniel Hill, a black man had married a white woman and consequently moved to Canada.  Eventually he became the first director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. 

Part of the movie was shot in Cape Town, South Africa just after Mandela had died.  Giulio Biccari, born in Johannesburg was responsible for the cinematography.  His films include  "Forgiveness" (2004),  "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (2009) and "Black Butterflies" (2011)" and "The Heineken Kidnapping" (2011).    More on the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency which was set in Botswana:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/01/the-minor-adjustment-beauty-salon.html

Many authors find it difficult to deal with criticism and the changes to their original idea.  Lawrence recognized the story had to be cut down and he had been used to criticism from his journalism career  where it was common for editors to twist his written words.  Putting his novel into a mini series meant that the message would reach more people.  The word "negro" is an awkward one that Lawrence does not use much himself, but he wanted it included in the primary title.  A secondary title "Someone Knows my Name" was used in several English speaking countries, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.  It came from something said by one of the slaves who was pleased that someone called him by his proper name.

George Washington was a slave owner and felt strongly that blacks were American property.  Guy Carleton used Book of Negroes to justify what the taking meant.  This scene was cut from the novel, but written in the series script by Lawrence.

Lawrence had written a number of fiction and non fiction books, grabbing national attention by winning the Canada Reads contest with "The Book of Negroes."  After meeting Lawrence I read his memoir, "Black Berry, Sweet Juice" which told of how he felt growing up as a racially mixed child, his education at Laval University in Quebec City and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.  Had done volunteer work in French speaking Africa and done journalism in Toronto and Winnipeg.  A new work of fiction, "The Illegal" combined his interest in running and involvement with diabetes and a concern for migrants.  He became the first author to win a second Canada Reads contest.   Read more about "Black Berry, Sweet Juice'  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/black-berry-sweet-juice.html

Clement Virgo was the director, co-writer and producer and thus worked very closely with Lawrence.  Born in Jamaica and educated in Toronto, Clement had a long history with films as a writer, director and producer.  Reflecting a personal interest one of his award winning films was "Poor Man's Game" (2007).  He directed two episodes of "The Wire" (2002). 

Aunjanue Ellis was chosen to play the lead, Aminata Diallo  who played virtually in every scene.  Some of her films included  "Men of Honor" (2000 with Cuba Gooding Jr.) "The Help" (2011) and "Designated Survivor" (6 episodes 2018-19).

Lyriq Bent played Chekura Tiano, the lover of Aminata.  They had met while he was assisting slavers marching some captured to a port.  Meeting at several intervals personifying how slave owners kept lovers separate from one another.  Born in Jamaica and educated in Toronto he achieved much of his success on American tv. series.

Ben Chaplin plays Captain John Clarkson, the English naval leader who befriends Aminata and helps her out at several points in the series.  The British born actor made an American breakthrough with "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" (1996).  Another of his films was "London Boulevard" (2010).

Allan Hawco plays Soloman Lindo, a Jewish businessman who plays a critical role in Aminata's (and other family members) movements.  Born and raised in Newfoundland is most famous for "Republic of Doyle" as the lead actor, writer and producer and is set in St. John's where he lives.

Louis Gossett Jr. played Daddy Moses a religious and community leader. for two episodes  He was the first African American to win a Oscar for best supporting actor with "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982).  He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for an appearance in "Roots" (1977).  Played Anwar Sadat in tv mini-series, "Sadat" (1983,   Remember him in one episode with "The Good Fight" (2017).

Cuba Gooding Jr. played a close friend to Aminata in two episodes  He also won an Oscar for best supporting actor with "Jerry McGuire" (1996) as an obnoxious football player.  Another notable movie he appeared in was "Selma" (2013).  First drew attention as a break dancer.  

The book and the series are well worth your time.  Books generally give a fuller picture of what the author is trying to convey.  There must have been some interesting negotiations to set up a mini series.  The notion of a two hour film must have been rejected fairly early, but a mini series is a big step.  The advantage of the series is that it is a type of summary of the book and also has the benefit of further thought and collaborative thinking.  Assembling a cast and crew and organizing locations, costumes is a mammoth undertaking.  The message comes through.

Titles that have been bolded are ones that I have seen or read.