Commentary – I Will Follow
Tinsel & Tine’s Look at
I WILL FOLLOW
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay
By Le Anne Lindsay, Editor
Earlier this month I did a post on filmmaker, Ava DuVernay (click for post) which among other things discussed the new initiative aimed at giving films of color a wide release in commercial theaters, called AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement).
AFFRM’s inaugural release is set for March 11th with Ava’s film I Will Follow. Last week I was privy to a Reelblack press screening of the film. Now, it’s my policy not to read any reviews of films before I write my own, as I don’t want my opinion to be influenced or my words to be inspired by another. However, when I opened by inbox to see that Roger Ebert had reviewed the film, I couldn’t help but peep his video review and I have to say, it’s exactly what I was hoping to express. So I’m not going to write my own commentary, I decided to re-blog Ebert’s transcript below.
One of the things that I love about his review is that it in no way categorizes I Will Follow as a black film, by a new black female director. His review is based on the merits of the film as they stand. And it’s not a “black film”, it’s a quiet film, it’s a reflective film and for those reason’s it may not appeal to a wide audience, but anyone who loves a good indie pic should go and support this film opening weekend. For my friends and readers in New York City it’s playing at AMC Loews 34th Street. For Philly audiences that means crossing the bridge to AMC Cherry Hill, but I think you’ll find it’s worth the toll.
ROGER EBERT:
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Tinsel & Tine provides year-round free promotion, sparking conversations and awareness, celebration and reviews of the movie industry - from local indie shorts to international films/filmmakers, to studio driven movies/moviemakers. Mixed with a spotlight on Philly Happenings. #MiniMovieReview #PhillyCalendar
2 Comments
tinseltine.com
In the Philadelphia market, it will continue at Cherry Hill and add the AMC Franklin Mills.
Showtimes for Friday at Franklin Mills are
10:40am
12:55pm
3:05pm
5:20pm
7:40pm
9:50pm
12:00am
This means you can see this critically acclaimed hit without crossing the bridge/paying a toll. Tell a friend, bring a friend. It will play there for at least a week.
tinseltine.com
AFFRM will capitalize on the success of the film's opening weekend with an aggressive expansion from five screens in five cities to 22 screens in 15 cities beginning Friday, March 18. The additional cities include Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Charlotte and Jersey City. The initial five markets will continue into second week.