Ava DuVernay has admitted on Twitter that a disturbing trend has arisen, where she has “been congratulated by non-black folks in Hollywood 11 different times” about directing ‘Harriet’ and ‘Queen & Slim.” The filmmaker added, “When I share that I didn’t direct those films, that they are made by black women directors who are not me? Nervous chuckles. Apologies. This place…”
“Harriet” was directed by Kasi Lemmons.
“Queen & Slim” is the feature-length debut of filmmaker Melina Matsoukas.
DuVernay’s post garnered a response from “The Farewell” director Lulu Wang, who could, humorously, relate to DuVernay’s plight. “If I could count the number of times someone’s held up a ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ poster for me to sign,” the director wrote. “I mean, Jon M. Chu is beautiful and all, but I’m quite certain we look nothing alike.”
Oh, white people.
There aren’t many African-American filmmakers in Hollywood, and there are even fewer who are female. The marquee names are Ava Duvernay, Dee Rees, Kasi Lemmons, Judy Dash, and Gina Prince-Bythewood. Obviously, the name that stands out is Ava Duvernay’s. The 47-year-old DuVernay has directed noteworthy fare such as “Selma,” “13th” and the Emmy-Winning Mini-Series “When They See Us.”
“Hope,” Na’s first film in ten years — his last one being the exemplary “The Wailing” —is a gloriously messy, blood-soaked sci-fi epic that may become a cult classic despite—or because of—its polarizing nature.