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]

Pharrell Williams sends Donald Trump a cease and desist letter after Trump uses his song 'Happy'

Pharrell Williams sent President Donald Trump a cease and desist letter against using the song “Happy” after the song was played at a rally in Indiana on Saturday, the same day Robert Bowers allegedly killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Trump is accused of violating federal law (copyright and trademark infringement) for using the song without Williams’s permission.

“On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist,’ you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana,” read the letter. “There was nothing ‘Happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose.”

The White House and a Trump attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

[SOURCE: LAW&CRIME]

Michelle Obama And Live Nation Announce Community Ticket Giveaways For Upcoming Book Tour

Michelle Obama and Live Nation have announced a selection of the local and community organizations who will receive free admission to the former First Lady’s highly anticipated upcoming book tour, Becoming: An Intimate Conversation With Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama’s tour kicks off on November 13th in Chicago.

As previously announced, 10 percent of ticket inventory in each market was set aside for various local organizations including, but not limited to, local charities, schools, and community groups in each city the tour visits.

It is important to Mrs. Obama that her BECOMING tour events are accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why — in partnership with Live Nation — Mrs. Obama is giving away thousands of complimentary tickets to people around the country, particularly to young people growing up in communities like she did.

When asked about why these community tickets are so important to Mrs. Obama, she said

“It was important to me that all sorts of people could come to the tour events, not just those with means or who happened to be by a computer when the tickets went on sale. That’s why we are giving away thousands of tickets to people around the country, particularly to young people striving to be their best. I want them to see themselves in my story—to see the value in the fullness of their lives and to imagine who they might become in the years ahead.”

Several national and local organizations were selected to participate including the Mercy Education Project in Detroit who’s mission is to provide educational opportunities, life skills development and cultural enrichment for women and girls who have limited access to resources to enable them to improve the quality of their lives.

[SOURCE: michronicleonline]

Barack Obama Statement On The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Former United States President Barack Obama released the following statement via Twitter on the tragic and senseless shootings at The Tree Of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

We grieve for the Americans murdered in Pittsburgh. All of us have to fight the rise of anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric against those who look, love, or pray differently. And we have to stop making it so easy for those who want to harm the innocent to get their hands on a gun.

Cory Booker statement on Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

US Senator Cory Booker released the following statement via Twitter on the tragic and senseless shootings at The Tree Of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

My heart is broken over the horrific anti-Semitic acts in Pittsburgh and for all affected by the evil shooting at The Tree Of Life Synagogue.

We must counter this hate with love and love's public face which is justice - tireless work for justice and peace.