Currently Browsing: Stephanie Taylor
Directors Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes mix archival footage from the 1960’s with modern-day interviews in The Janes, thereby creating an illuminating and extremely topical documentary. The Jane Collective was a group of Chicago women who provided care to thousands of women in the years immediately prior to the Roe versus Wade decision of 1972.… read more.
Today — Wednesday April 27th — Netflix is releasing its highly-publicized new documentary, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Lost Tapes, directed by Emma Cooper.
The film – focused on the final years of Marilyn’s life – consists of previously unheard tapes of people who knew Marilyn Monroe. These tapes were recorded by journalist Anthony (Tony) Summers over four decades.… read more.
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998), tells a story of the Sinclair family’s history (in the tumultuous past) and solidarity (in the treacherous present). Under her insightful direction, every member of the large shines. (SAT: 4.5/5)
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998) opens in a poor Chicago neighborhood where Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice) does her best to care for her drug-addicted daughter Loretta (Alfre Woodard).… read more.
What did Swiss filmmaker Petra Volpe say that made me laugh so hard that I almost peed my pants in front of a full auditorium? I can’t remember.
I just know that in a weekend full of superlative moments, my Q&A with Petra after our FF2 Media-sponsored screening of The Divine Order (see featured photo above) was a peek experience!… read more.
Recently, I watched the new documentary And Still I Rise (2016) at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Telling the story about Maya Angelou’s fascinating life, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the screen. A definite must-watch. (SAT: 5/5)
Review by Senior Contributor Stephanie A. Taylor
Rita Coburn Whack and Bob Hercules’ new documentary And I Still Rise tells the story of the tumultuous yet triumphant life of Maya Angelou; writer, actress, singer, dancer and activist.… read more.
By Senior Contributor Stephanie A. Taylor
The 22nd Annual Black Harvest Film Festival (BHFF), which takes place at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, Illinois, celebrates the history and heritage of black people, worldwide, through indie films and shorts.
While the focus is Black culture, there are several female directors and screenwriters at the festival this year, including Jerico 2016, Walk All Night: A Drum Beat Journey 2016, Compensation 1999 and Agents of Change.… read more.