Hiiii splashy readers!!! Rock out with me for a moment sing the below lyrics in your best Rihanna voice. Ready, set, GO!
Turn up the lights in here baby
Extra bright, I want y’all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need, want you to see everything, want you to see all of the lights
Now that we are officially on the same get hype page let me tell you about my VIP red carpet Beyond the lights movie premiere experience this past Thursday November 13th. I love to dress up for any occasion even of it is for the rain and I am wearing a track suit and some throwback kicks that would make your head turn. However, this event honored the community so a dress, sparkly dressy blazer, matching tights and heels were involved. Just because I like to coordinate – I just chuckled to myself as I heard John Witherspoon voice saying that haha; now you are too I bet 🙂
The COMMUNITY RED CARPET PREMIERE® was a joint initiative of the Urbanworld Film Festival and Our Family Dinner that focused on creating an opening weekend red carpet premiere experience for the ones who truly make films successful – the true VIP’s, our community. The AMC Loews Kips Bay held the special community red carpet premiere of Beyond the Lights and the night was full of surprises.
As the attendees dressed to impress; upon entry they were greeted and escorted to the red carpet as a press pit of photographers and bloggers awaited to interview and take their pictures. As if the private reception with hors-d’oeuvres, an advance movie viewing one day before the nationwide release and movie swag weren’t enough. (inserts drum roll here please) A warm welcome and introduction before the movie followed by the opportunity for a Q and A session moderated by Morgan Kelly Radford after the film with… (is the suspense building up yet?) the writer and director of Love and Basketball and Beyond the lights, Gina Prince-Bythewood.
A keynote VIP special guest was rap recording artist Jaquáe showed his support for Beyond the Lights. He has had a succesful run of hits his latest hit
Thats Harr
it has taken over radio waves and stages everywhere. Wishing him much success as he continues to grind.
As the film began starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Noni and Nate Parker as Kaz I realized that so many issues were addressed. I appreciated the evolution of Noni’s character and watching it unfold. Gina Prince-Bythewood pushed the envelope and fought for this film to be seen with two leading African-American characters the road was rough as she explained in her Q and A session. The issue of self love, image reassurance, life and standing your ground while raising your voice were the tools that tied in a powerful message.
There was a scene in the movie where Noni refused to look at herself in the mirror because she was not comfortable with her image, she went along with what was created for her. Although, it afforded her the luxurious things in life she wasn’t happy because she was a pawn in the music industry. All of the allcolades didn’t mean anything she was even thrown off by a fan shouting “I love you.” She later mentioned that no one saw her but Kaz did and his presence was beneficial to her growth.
Kaz later condemned Noni for her lifestyle but he also received a glimpse of it as he was transitioning into the public light. It was interesting to see how the two switched lifestyles and how they helped each other evolve in love, personal attributes and achievements as they pushed one another.
I also noticed that in both Love and Basketball and Beyond the Lights, Gina Prince-Bythewood kitchen scenes always gives the mother a reassurance of power. We as people see sacrifice and life in a different light than what people show or allow you to know. Everything might be smiles on the outside but a battle behind closed doors. Finding your voice is a regard in this film as well as knowing yourself.
I laughed, frowned, smiled, and gasped watching this film during the visual and blatant issues of sexual objectivity, courtship and standing up for yourself were presented. These are just a few pointers within the movie I don’t want to give it all away. Go support an incredible love story filled with bravery, passion and self discovery. The film soundtrack is phenomenal as well check it out as Gugu Mbatha-Raw shows off another one of her talents.
Thanks for reading. Until next time.
Chanel Speedy®️ 