Ava DuVernay on becoming the first African American female director at the Venice Film Festival

Ava DuVernay on becoming the first African American female director at the Venice Film Festival

After 80 years of the festival, Duvernay has become a historic milestone with his film Origins.

During the press conference of the famous and famous Venice Film Festivalfilm director Ava DuVernay, in charge of the film “Source”, talking about what it’s like to be first African American compete for an award at the festival and the complexities of applying. She also talked about how black filmmakers end up being pushed away from these important events even though their work is loved all over the world… Details below!

your movie Source, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor This John Bernthaland tells a story Isabelle Wilkerson, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner. In the story, she received an award while investigating the causes of injustice and discovered that there is one thing that affects all of us. It is this story that should be told that Duvernay was nominated and about her entry into the festival – in addition to many tests – she stated (via Diversity):

“As far as black filmmakers are concerned, we are told that people who love cinema in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories, and they don’t care about our films. We are always told: you can’t be at international film festivals, no one will see.”Duvernay said. “People won’t be at press conferences, they won’t be at P&I shows. They will not be interested in selling tickets. You may not even get to this festival, don’t apply. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told, “Don’t apply in Venice, you won’t be able to get in.” It will not happen”. And this year, something happened that hasn’t happened in eight decades: an African-American woman in competition. So now it’s an open door that I trust and hope the festival stays open.”

Ava DuVernay at the Venice Film Festival

In addition to the actors who star in the film, the cast also includes names such as: Vera Farmiga, Audra MacDonald, Nicy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Connie Nielsen, Emily Yancey, Finn Whittock and many others. DuVernay also talked about the cast and amazing actors:

“This cast is full of actors who are not Hollywood superstars”Duvernay added. “It is inhabited by actors who work hard, with blood, sweat and tears, and are highly respected. The whole cast is full of them, and together you see how they shine like stars. So I think it comes down to the idea of ​​the value we give to certain artists based on what corporations say who is more valuable and who is not. And thank God that we made this film on our own and were able to choose everyone.”

Watch the movie teaser:

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