Drum Roll Please…

Posted on August 10, 2017 by blackchickmedia

What a fantastic film festival weekend. Congratulations to all filmmakers who presented at the first annual Columbus Black International Film Festival! What a great addition to the city’s creative landscape. If you’re a part of the local Black creative community, I don’t have to tell you about the unequal representation, unfairness in grant-making, and downright ignorance and lack of support for our artistic endeavors; so, having an entire weekend event dedicated to Black Excellence was not only needed, but more than welcome. Bravo Cristyn Steward. We can’t wait to see what CBIFF 2018 brings.

CBIFF Winners

Your Dreams Are Valid

Posted on March 11, 2014 by snicoleharper

What or who defines your validity? Why did the stunning Lupita use such a simple yet, soul searching word?

“I want to be a __________ when I grow up.” These are the blissfully flown words that fall from the lips of our innocence. We dream big; without fear, without care of what others think; with the simply laid plan, that all you need is that pink tutu engraved with lace ruffles, as you twirl to hearts content. The little girl we use to be becomes a woman. The flame of our fairytale is quickly quenched by the reality of our first broken heart, capitalism, false beauty, low socially constructed moral price tags, childbirth…you name it…life happens! The fortunate ones find a way to not allow for the flame to completely go out, but struggle to find a way to chase after it with the fervor they use to possess.
The night of the Oscars my Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook flooded with the pride and matched excitement that so radiantly overflowed from Lupita. Lupita’s words shined just as bright as her powder blue Prada dress against her Kenyan sun blessed skin. We watched with smiles gracing our faces as she accepted her award, realizing that Patsey stood there also. Out of her pain manifested triumph. Her winning in that very moment, again gave us as Black Women, the innocence and optimism toward the old cliché that “dreams do come true”. Not only do they come true, they mean something. Our dreams, when achieved, leave a legacy to soothe the souls and motivate the woman of color who think their flame has flickered out. My sister…you, your dreams, your thoughts, your everyday grind towards excellence is VALID!

S. Nicole Harper

Image by Vogue via http://www.nexus2africa.com/oscar-buzz-for-5-african-actors/

It’s Officially Official, Awards Season is Upon Us

Posted on January 19, 2014 by blackchickmedia

…And how! With all the flurry and buzz of award shows lately, I’ve been negligent in my posting, and for that, I apologize. But I hope you’ve been live tweeting with BCM during the ceremonies! Personally, we think that’s more entertaining than the actual show…

Last week were the Globes, of the Golden variety, followed by the SAG-AFTRA awards last night (Congrats to Rita Moreno on her Lifetime Achievement Award! Her acceptance speech made me cry). Truth be told, the SAG’s are my favorite–there’s something about being nominated by your peers that just feels…Right. It’s not as hoity-toity as the Oscar’s and not as relaxed as the Globes. It feels less stuffy than the Critics’ Choice, and definitely more important than the People’s Choice (no but really, does anyone watch those?). While I would like nothing more than to enter into some rant and rave and endless diatribe about who should have won (Chiwetel Ejiofor & Lupita Nyong’o should have won every nomination. Come to that, we are SO happy Lupita won the Critics’ Choice & SAG, but yes, she should have grabbed that Globe), who was robbed (Judi Dench, ALWAYS. Philomena was undoubtedly the best film this season. And no one, not one person, can act better than the Dench, as far I’m concerned. Well, unless you throw in Meryl, whom we also adore and would love to see win. And then Idris Elba of course.), whose win perhaps should have been questioned (Jennifer Lawrence & American Hustle for numerous reasons…), and so on and so forth. The list is endless. While everyone can’t be a winner all of the time, most people we root for are never winners, any of the time. But, then again, as Oprah said (and you all know we have to live by what Oprah says), “We don’t do movies to win awards, we do movies to move people.”

While there are very important issues to discuss RE awards season (SEE: the lack of diversity and representation of people of color [I hate that term, I think it’s so problematic], (dis)ability and women–both in general and the notion of ageism), I’m not going into that today. Not this post. Not right now. Because what I’d really like to talk about is the FASHION! (I know, not where you thought I was going with this) With the (for the most part) quite sad, drab and dull looks at the Globes, I was happy to see Hollywood et al stepped it up in a gigantic way for the SAG’s.

For me, there was a three-way tie for best dressed: Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci, Phyllis Logan in Libby Lulu & Helen Mirren in Escada.

Our second runners up were Cate Blanchett in a pretty pink Givenchy number, and a very preggers Kerry Washington in Prada.

Honorable mentions include Amy Adams, Camila Alves and Emma Thompson because she wore flats (and that rocks).

On the men’s side, Matt Damon was rather scrumptious (Did I really just?…) in a Dolce&Gabbana tux, and Christian Louboutin shoes. And Chiwetel Ejiofor in menswear label Rake and Prada shoes.

(OK so, I’m sorry we only have HALF of his body here. His girlfriend, Sari Mercer, was hanging all over him, all locked up in a tight grip as if someone was going to spirit him away…We had to cut her out…)

Best rock-star vibe and acceptance speech goes to Rita Moreno because, she’s Rita Moreno and RESPECT, but also because she sang twice, which brought tears to my eyes.

Also in this category is Lupita Nyong’o because her speech was heartfelt and true, “…Thank you for taking a flashlight & shining it underneath the floor boards of this nation and reminding us what it is we stand on.”

And because I like a good time as much as the next person (basically I just want to party with these two), best photobomb of the night goes to both Emma Thompson & Phyllis Logan.

Awards seasons always fascinate me (in a good & bad way). 2014 has been rather disappointing so far, award & fashion wise (No win for Downton Abbey? I’m not so upset about the show, just that Phyllis was unable to give an acceptance speech, and as we saw from last year, she gives the BEST acceptance speeches #ShuttheFrenchWindows. And wait, WHAT?! Did I just hear correctly? She doesn’t have a SAG card?! Someone rectify this STAT. I suppose she should be my next film…I’m just saying), but let’s see what the Oscar’s give us, shall we?

Love

BCM