The story revolves around a teenage romance between students, which their respective parents dismiss as a crush. Then, in a twist of events, the girl achieves her dream of becoming a doctor. The boy was a loser. They meet again after many years. The boy turned his failure into success without knowing that the same girl helped him succeed in his career.
The gentle, emotional nuances of Evan’s coming-of-age story would have been so beneficial to have incorporated into the life of a POC character. Showing a Black, Asian or Latino young man that is afforded the space to be vulnerable, flawed and sensitive while driving a compelling and widely-loved narrative would have been a game changer.
The history of Hollywood is as ugly as it is beautiful. Most notably absent from Hollywood history are Black-produced films. “They’ve Gotta Have Us” explores the rise of Black cinema.
The human experience is described through the eyes of a marginalized outsider, neither judgmental nor invested, just an observant donkey.
'Midnight at the Paradise' premieres tomorrow at Toronto's Paradise Theatre! I had the pleasure to sit down with Vanessa Matsui to discuss the making of this film.
Jordan Peele’s film is an intelligent and unflinching piece of work, firmly focused on the African American experience.
