Showing posts with label Netflix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Netflix. Show all posts

Sunday, October 09, 2022

IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? documentary coming to Netflix

From celebrated writer and film historian Elvis Mitchell, IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? is both a documentary and deeply personal essay. The film examines the craft and power of cinema from a perspective often overlooked: the African American contribution to films released from the landmark era of the 70s. It is a deep dive into the impact that point of view had on movies, as well as popular culture, and serves as a love letter to film, posing questions that have never been asked, let alone answered. Crucial artistic voices, including director Charles Burnett, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne, Zendaya and others, offer their distinctive prism on the creators and films that dazzled and inspired. The film provides insight into the history of Black representation going back to the earliest days of cinema, and the cultural impact of witnessing unapologetic Blackness. Produced by Steven Soderbergh, David Fincher, Angus Wall and Ciara Lacy, IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? marks Mitchell’s directorial debut.

IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? will be released on Netflix November 11, 2022.

WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Barack Obama nominated for first Emmy Award

Former president Barack Obama is now an Emmy nominee.

Obama was nominated for outstanding narrator for the Netflix documentary series "Our Great National Parks." Each episode tells the story of a national park through the lives of its wildest residents while exploring our relationship with the wilderness.

This is the first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Obama, though the "Yes We Can" music video released as a promotional tool for the Obama campaign in 2008 was honored with the first-ever Daytime Emmy Award for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment. Obama was also featured in the documentary David Attenborough Meets President Obama, which was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy in 2016, but was not for Obama personally. The former president has won a Grammy with a win in 2008 in the Spoken Word Album category as the narrator of The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. He was recently nominated again for a Grammy in the same category for A Promised Land.

Others nominated in the category are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War), David Attenborough (The Mating Game), W. Kamau Bell (We Need to Talk About Cosby) and Lupita Nyong’o (Serengeti II).

Monday, December 27, 2021

True Story #1 streaming series on the Nielsen Top 10 Chart

Netflix’s True Story landed atop Nielsen’s latest U.S. ranking of streaming original series.

The limited series starring Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes amassed 943 million minutes viewed across its seven episodes, which for the week of Nov. 22 was good for No. 1.

Nielsen notes that the audience for True Story was predominantly African American, with 53 percent of its viewership from Black households.

TRUE STORY SYNOPSIS:

In True Story, Kevin plays Philadelphia-based actor and comedian, The Kid, a successful stand-up comic who goes on tour but takes a stop in his hometown, meeting up with his older brother Carlton (Wesley Snipes).

The pair go on a heavy night out but it ends in disaster when they wake up with a woman in their room who overdoses. The brothers then decide what to do, and The Kid is forced to decide how far he'll go to protect what he has.

Here’s Nielsen’s Top 10 SVOD Programs chart for the frame:

1. Red Notice (Netflix), 1 episode, 954 million minutes viewed

2. True Story (Netflix), 7 episodes, 943M

3. Hawkeye (Disney+), 2 episodes, 853M

4. CoComelon (Netflix), 15 episodes, 797M

5. NCIS (Netflix), 353 episodes, 666M

6. Wheel of Time (Amazon), 4 episodes, 663M

7. Bruised (Netflix), 1 episode, 654M

8. Cowboy Bebop/2021 (Netflix), 10 episodes, 629M

9. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Disney+), 1 episode, 613M

10. Jungle Cruise (Disney+), 1 episode, 611M

Monday, October 04, 2021

Netflix Establishes $5.4 Million Chadwick A. Boseman Scholarship at Howard University

Howard University and Netflix today have announced a $5.4 million endowed scholarship to honor alumnus Chadwick A. Boseman, the esteemed actor, director, writer and producer. The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide incoming students in the College of Fine Arts with a four-year scholarship to cover the full cost of University tuition. 

“It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continue to inspire,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University. “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”

The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship was established with the support of Boseman’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, and sponsorship from Netflix, the inaugural donor. The first four scholarships will be awarded to one recipient in each class, beginning this Fall 2021, and will continue to be distributed to an incoming freshman each year on an annual basis. The scholarship will focus on students who exemplify exceptional skills in the arts, reminiscent of Boseman, and who demonstrate financial need.

“Many exemplary artists are not afforded the opportunity to pursue higher learning. We hope to support as many students as possible by removing the financial barrier to education. This endowment represents Chad’s devotion to the craft, his compassion for others and his desire to support future storytellers,” said Ledward-Boseman. “My deepest thanks to Ted Sarandos, Scott Stuber and our family at Netflix for their generous investment into the education of all present and future Boseman Scholars, and to President Wayne Frederick, Dean Phylicia Rashad and Mr. David Bennett for their partnership and continued commitment to Chad’s legacy at Howard. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and amazed at the love and dedication shown by so many continuing to honor my husband’s work. I know he’d be proud.”

“It is with enormous pride that we announce our endowment of the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship. While he was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired. He always spoke of his time at Howard and the positive way it shaped his life and career. Now, we will have the opportunity to give many future superheroes a chance to experience the same” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer. “We are grateful to Simone and Chadwick’s whole family and our partners at Howard University for making this possible.”

In continuing the actor’s legacy, preference for the scholarship will be given to students in the dramatic arts who exemplify Boseman’s values. Students who receive the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will have demonstrated: 

  • A drive for excellence. Students who are continuously working toward improvement and putting in time above and beyond the basic requirements. This includes engagement in academic departments, campus or community organizations. 
  • Leadership. Students who have the personal fortitude to do what is right, even when this means they are in the minority. They exhibit honesty and are trustworthy, caring and ethical. They keep their word and honor their commitments, while accepting consequences and admitting their mistakes.  
  • Respect. Students who treat others fairly. They listen to and accept input from others. They maintain self-control and exhibit consideration for the things and people that they encounter.  
  • Empathy. Students who show kindness and understanding toward all those they encounter and actively listen in an effort to understand the unique experiences of others. They advocate for their community by identifying needs and working to meet them.  
  • Passion. Students who show an ardent desire to absorb all aspects of the art of storytelling. They understand the deeply rooted, critical importance of storytellers as cultural historians and aspire to inform, uplift and strengthen their community through their work. 

The inaugural class of awardees are as follows: Sarah Long, a freshman in musical theatre; Shawn Smith, a sophomore studying acting; Janee’ Ferguson, a junior in theatre arts administration; and senior Deirdre Dunkin who studies dance.

For more information about the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship, contact finearts@howard.edu.  

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Documentary Feature “Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali” Coming To Netflix

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali is the definitive documentary about legendary icons Malcom X and Muhammad Ali featuring never before seen archival footage. The documentary feature is inspired by the book “Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X” written by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith. The film will debut on Netflix on September 9.

Synopsis: Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali tells the extraordinary story behind the friendship of two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century: Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Few people understand the bond these men shared. The charismatic and outspoken Olympic champion who charmed the nation, and the excon-turned intellectual revolutionary who railed against the evils of white oppression by speaking truth to power. The message they carry, still as potent and relevant today as ever before. Their bond was undoubtedly deep, their friendship real and their legacies inextricably bound.

The documentary is ditby Marcus A. Clarke (Unsolved Mysteries, Rapture).

Clarke says that, “Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali are two of the most iconic and revered African Americans of the twentieth century, and yet the depths of their friendship and the influence they had on each other is largely unknown. Blood Brothers provides a deeper understanding into what made these two men tick, the intense role faith played in their bond and ultimately how their budding friendship came to an abrupt end.”

Producers are Kenya Barris for Khalabo Ink Society; Jason Perez.

The executive producers are Erynn Sampson for Khalabo Ink Society; Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn for Lightbox; and Simon George.

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Netflix investing $100 million in Black banks and financial institutions

Netflix is going to allocate two percent of our cash holdings - initially up to $100 million - into financial institutions and organizations that directly support Black communities in the U.S.

Netflix believes bringing more capital to these communities can make a meaningful difference for the people and businesses in them, helping more families buy their first home or save for college, and more small businesses get started or grow. According to the FDIC, banks that are Black-owned or led represent a mere one percent of America’s commercial banking assets. This is one factor contributing to 19 percent of Black families having either negative wealth or no assets at all - more than double the rate of White households - according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. Black banks have been fighting to better their communities for decades but they’re disadvantaged by their lack of access to capital. The major banks, where big multinational companies including ours keep most of their money, are also focusing more on improving equity, but not at the grassroots level these Black-led institutions can and do. The company wants to redirect some of its cash specifically toward these communities, and hope to inspire other large companies to do the same with their cash deposits.

As the first step in this $100 million commitment, the company will be holding $35 million of our cash in two vehicles:

$25 million will be moved to a newly established fund called the Black Economic Development Initiative. It will be managed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a non-profit with a track record of developing underinvested communities. They will invest the funds into Black financial institutions serving low and moderate-income communities and Black community development corporations in the U.S. $10 million will go to Hope Credit Union in the form of a Transformational Deposit to fuel economic opportunity in underserved communities across the Deep South. Bill Bynum, CEO of HOPE, has spent the last three decades advancing economic mobility in distressed communities.

This capital will fuel social mobility and opportunity in the low- and moderate-income communities these groups serve. The plan is to redirect even more cash to Black-led and focused institutions as the company grows, and to hope other companies will do the same. For example, if every company in the S&P 500 allocated a modest amount of their cash holdings into efforts like the Black Economic Development Initiative, each one percent of their cash would represent $20-$30 billion of new capital. And that would help build stronger communities, offering more Black families pathways to prosperity and a more equitable future.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Michelle Obama 'Becoming' documentary coming to Netflix on May 6, 2020

Becoming is an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama during a moment of profound change, not only for her personally but for the country she and her husband served over eight impactful years in the White House. The film offers a rare and up-close look at her life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.

“Those months I spent traveling — meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe — drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with,” Obama wrote on Instagram. “I treasure the memories and that sense of connection now more than ever, as we struggle together to weather this pandemic, as we care for our loved ones, tend to our communities, and try to keep up with work and school while coping with huge amounts of loss, confusion, and uncertainty.”

The film is directed by Nadia Hallgren, and is the third joint project between Netflix and Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas’ production company.

Becoming begins streaming on Netflix on May 6.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Former Prosecutor Sues Ava Duvernay Over We They See Us Portrayal

Linda Fairstein, the former prosecutor who led the case against the five men wrongfully convicted in the Central Park jogger case, has now filed a lawsuit against Netflix over her portrayal in the 2019 limited series “When They See Us.”

In the suit, which also names series creator Ava DuVernay and writer-producer Attica Locke, Fairstein accuses the show of wrongfully portraying her as “a racist, unethical villain who is determined to jail innocent children of color at any cost.”

Fairstein’s lawyer Andrew Miltenberg elaborated in a statement, adding that the limited series “falsely portrays Ms. Fairstein as in charge of the investigation and prosecution of the case against The Five, including the development of the prosecution’s theory of the case. In truth, and as detailed in the lawsuit, Ms. Fairstein was responsible for neither aspect of the case.”

“Ms. Fairstein’s reputation and career – in the law and in literature – have been irreparably damaged by the Defendants’ actions. We believe strongly in the merits of this litigation and intend to pursue the case vigorously,” Miltenberg said.

In their own statement, Netflix slammed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and “without merit.” The streamer pledged to stand by DuVernay and Locke in defending the series.

[SOURCE: THE WRAP]

Monday, January 13, 2020

When They See Us wins Critics Choice Award for best limited series

Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us won the Best Limited Series category at the 25th annual Critics Choice Awards.

Jharrel Jerome also won a Critics Choice award for his tropy case for his turn as Korey Wise but DuVernay’s speech in which she thanked the association for ‘Finally letting us take the stage’ was one of the nights highlights. Check it out below:

Friday, January 10, 2020

Madam C.J. Walker mini-series coming in March 2020

Netflix's Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker will officially stream on March 20.

The four-part mini-series will star Octavia Spencer as Walker, and the cast includes actors like Tiffany Haddish and Blair Underwood.

The new limited series is inspired by the book On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, written by Walker's great-great-granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles. It's set to chronicle her iconic rise to fame and fortune, telling the story of how her revolutionary products and brand changed the Black haircare industry as we know it.

Monday, September 16, 2019

‘When They See Us’ wins Creative Arts Emmy Award

Ava DuVernay’s Netflix miniseries ‘When They See Us’ took home the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Movie/Limited Casting.

Casting directors Aisha Coley and Ashley Ingram dedicated the award to the Central Park Five who allowed their stories to be told on the show, and to director Ava DuVernay.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES FIRST ORIGINAL AFRICAN ANIMATED SERIES MAMA K'S TEAM 4


Johannesburg, ZA and Hollywood, Calif. - April 16 2019 - Netflix, the world's leading internet entertainment service, today announced its first original African animated series, Mama K’s Team 4, produced by Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios and leading London-based kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE.

Mama K’s Team 4 tells the story of four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka, Zambia who are recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world. The series joins Netflix’s growing slate of original animated programming designed for kids and families everywhere, brought to 190 countries by artists from around the world.

Mama K’s Team 4 is created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, who was one of eight winners in the Triggerfish Story Lab initiative in 2015, a pan-african talent search.

Designed by Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope, it draws visual inspiration from retro-’90s R&B and hip hop girl groups.

To join the creative team on the series, Netflix is collaborating with Triggerfish Animation studio and CAKE to launch a continent-wide search for local female writing talent.

Malenga grew up watching cartoons on TV and found herself asking why no heroes looked like her and why they didn’t live in a world that felt like her own. “In creating a superhero show set in Lusaka, I hope to introduce the world to four strong African girls who save the day in their own fun and crazy way. Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero,” commented Malenga.

"In addition to giving African writers a global platform on which to be heard, we are excited to present this powerful and entertaining new animated series that brings Malenga's incredible and unique vision to life on Netflix," said Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix. "Mama K's Team 4 has the potential to give a whole new generation of African children the opportunity to see themselves on-screen in the powerful, aspirational characters they look up to.”

“After animating four multi-award-winning BBC Christmas specials set in England, including the Oscar-nominated Revolting Rhymes, Triggerfish is delighted to bring an African capital city to life on Netflix,” added Vanessa Ann Sinden, Triggerfish’s development producer. “Female writers from Africa who have had their work produced for either TV, film or theatre can find out more about the Writers Lab and how to apply from the careers page of our website, http://careers.triggerfish.com/.”

CEO & Creative Director at CAKE, Tom van Waveren concluded, “We are delighted to be partnering with Triggerfish and Netflix on Mama K’s Team 4, a uniquely empowering, but most of all fun project, which brings a fresh perspective to a classic cartoon genre."

Announcement Assets
Malenga Mulendema’s headshot can be accessed here. (Please do not post link, download only)



Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Ava DuVernay making Prince documentary for Netflix

Ava DuVernay the director of both 13th and Selma is now making a documentary about music legend Prince for Netflix.

“Prince was a genius and a joy and a jolt to the senses,” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker told Deadline tonight of the Purple Rain star who died in April 2016. “He was like no other,” DuVernay added of the Oscar winner and eight-time Grammy recipient. “He shattered every preconceived notion, smashed every boundary, shared everything in his heart through his music. The only way I know how to make this film is with love. And with great care. I’m honored to do so and grateful for the opportunity entrusted to me by the estate.”

As part of the development of the film, the estate has granted the ARRAY founder full access to the vast trove of archives recordings and, perhaps most immediately important to Prince’s global fanbase, the unreleased material by the prolific musician. The early stages of the project already have seen DuVernay, editor Spencer Averick and other members of her core production team visit Prince’s Paisley Park home and studios repeatedly during the past several months.

[SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Netflix Cancels ‘Luke Cage’

Netflix has canceled “Luke Cage.”

News of the cancellation comes four months after the superhero action drama from Marvel Television debuted its second season on the streaming service — and just days after Netflix pulled the plug on another Marvel show, “Iron Fist.”

“Unfortunately, ‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ will not return for a third season. Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlem’s Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series,” Netflix and Marvel Television said in a joint statement.

A source tells Variety that talks for a third season had taken place, but that Netflix ultimately decided that one would not be feasible.

[SOURCE: VARIETY]

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Octavia Spencer & Lebron James bringing ‘Madam C.J. Walker’ series to Netflix

Octavia Spencer’s next project is a literal rags-to-riches story. The Oscar winner will executive produce and star in “Madam C.J. Walker,” a limited series on Netflix that tells the true story of the woman who went from washing clothes to becoming one of the very few African-American female millionaires of the early 20th century. LeBron James will also serve as one of the executive producers.

Ms. Walker decided to enter the hair-care industry at a time when few products were geared toward black women. Around 1906 she started her own business and soon created lines of hair straighteners, hair-growth elixirs, shampoos and pomades. As she earned riches and respect in the business world — extremely rare achievements for a black woman at the time — she gave back thousands to the N.A.A.C.P., the Tuskegee Institute, churches and Y.M.C.A.s; she also delivered lectures and helped organize protests against inequality and violence toward African-Americans.

The Netflix series is based on a 2001 biography of Ms. Walker by A’Lelia Bundles, her great-great granddaughter.

The project is being spearheaded by Ms. Spencer, who won an Oscar for her role in “The Help” and has since starred in “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.” “Since making ‘Hidden Figures,’ I don’t have a problem saying to a room of male executives: ‘I need a female writer or a female director,’ or ‘I need a black voice or a Latin voice,’” she said in a Times interview in 2016.

The news was announced at a Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. Kasi Lemmons (“Talk to Me”) will direct the first episode, and LeBron James will serve as one of the executive producers. The eight-episode series does not yet have a release date.

[SOURCE: NYTIMES]

Monday, May 07, 2018

Check out the Luke Cage Season 2 Trailer

Luke Cage is back.

After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can’t save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Bushmaster who has powers similar to his, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain.

The 13-episode second season of Luke Cage hits Netflix on June 22nd.








CHECK OUT THE SEASON TWO TRAILER




Thursday, January 26, 2017

Ava DuVernay's documentary "13th" nominated for an Academy Award

Lost in the hoopla around La La Land's 14 Academy Award nominations and that a record number 6 African American actors received nominations is the news that Director Ava Duvernay's documentary 13th received a nomination in the "Best Documentary" category.

13th, directed by Ava Duvernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.

Ava Duvernay released the following statement on the film's nomination:

My thanks to the Academy for amplifying the injustices of mass criminalization and mass incarceration that we chronicle in '13th.' Now more than ever, it is important to educate ourselves, explore our shared history and elevate our awareness about matters of human dignity.

It’s an honor be included in a category with such fine documentarians and to be nominated in a year that truly embraces and celebrates inclusion within our creative community.

13th was directed by Ava DuVernay and produced by DuVernay, Spencer Averick, Howard Barish.

The searing look at mass incarceration in the United States is now airing on Netflix.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Trailer for Marvel's "Luke Cage" Netflix series

Check out this new trailer for Marvel's Luke Cage series which features an African American superhero. Michael Colter stars as Luke Cage and the series will air on Netflix starting September 30,2016.

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SYNOPSIS: After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive who attempts to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But soon he is pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Luke Cage teaser trailer.

Check out this teaser trailer for the upcoming Netflix/Marvel series, Luke cage. The series stars Mike Colter as the titular character and is set to premier on September 30, 2016.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Mike Colter Cast as Luke Cage

[SOURCE] Mike Colter has been cast in the role of Luke Cage on the upcoming Netflix series “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones.”

“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” said “Jessica Jones” Executive Producer and Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”

“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage brought, and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” said Jeph Loeb, executive producer and Marvel’s head of television. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,’ and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”

Colter, who currently stars on “Halo: Nightfall,” has also appeared on “The Good Wife” and “American Horror Story: Coven.” “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones” is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix.