Many of Ava DuVernay’s works, from her moving film Selma to the harrowing documentary 13th have all been about illuminating the true history of America. DuVernay, in her narratives, gives viewers an intimate look at the way racist histories many feel are past take on new shapes and persist in the modern day.
For the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, DC, the director debuted August 28: A Day In The Life Of A People, a commissioned 22-minute film that examines significant moments in African-American history that occurred on this date. It stars Don Cheadle, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Michael Ealy, Andre Holland and Glynn Turman.
DuVernay’s film is exclusively at the Smithsonian as an orientation film. Today, she tweeted about the date and how it’s still a date she tracks. Though her film ends with Barack Obama accepting the Democratic nomination, she points out that Colin Kaepernick’s statements on his anthem protest also landed on the 28th.
History continues to be made on the “mammoth” day, and serves as a time to recognize what DuVernay calls a “date that has exposed two Americas.”
THREAD: Did you know this day is a mammoth one in African-American history? A date that has exposed two Americas. https://t.co/baZCYhEXdJ
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
I was invited to make a film for @NMAAHC. I chose to chronicle “August 28” as a day in the life of my people. https://t.co/wqLT4MEfs4
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug 28, 1833, slavery is abolished in the UK, contributing to the American abolition of slavery. This date opens our film “August 28.”
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug. 28, 1955: Emmett Till, 14, is brutally murdered by three white KKK members, becoming the flashpoint in the civil rights movement.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug. 28, 1961, Motown released its first hit, “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvellettes. Motown would go on to transform American culture.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug. 28, 1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech, bending the arc a little further towards justice. pic.twitter.com/8j0pQqPOzl
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On August 28, 2005: Hurricane Katrina makes landfall and the government response reveals massive inequities and environmental injustice.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug. 28, 2008: Senator Barack stuns the world and accepts the Democratic nomination for President of The United States of America. pic.twitter.com/KxxarA60Zz
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
The film I made ends there. But I always continue to track August 28. It is a magic date in black history. Guess what happened last year?
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
On Aug. 28, 2016, @Kaepernick7 delivers his first official remarks on his reasons for protesting the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/MwJKBBQ83o
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
Written + directed from my heart, “August 28” stars Turman, Bassett, Cheadle, Oyelowo, King, Holland, Nyong’o, Mbatha-Raw, Ealy and more. pic.twitter.com/HqOYQqxiUn
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
Check it out exclusively at @NMAAHC. Our history is a treasure trove of knowledge and guidance. I salute our ancestors on this day. Onward! pic.twitter.com/UiJrqHNxte
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017
(image: CBS/screencap)
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Published: Aug 28, 2017 02:47 pm