I first saw the trailer for this film at the theater a week or so ago. As I watched, it occurred to me that there hasn’t been a young Black love story in a minute. The majority of contemporary black films tend to focus on mature Black professionals. When the credits rolled, I caught that writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood was behind this film. It all made sense. Bythewood is why we have the classic Black love story “Love and Basketball.”
“Beyond the Lights” looks at the current world of pop music. It’s actually kind of surprising that this subject matter hasn’t been tackled before now. Pop music is filled these days with things to clown..uh, be deconstructed. From the culture vulturing to the forced sexuality of a lot of young female singers, there could be ten “Beyond the Lights” films made.
“In “Beyond The Lights,” Director Gina Prince-Bythewood weaves a story of music and romance, examining how a young girl’s (Noni Jean) youthful aspirations to become a singer are later shaped by the image-obsessed pop culture landscape her music exists in. Struggling with her newfound success, she attempts suicide, but is saved by a police officer, Kaz (Nate Parker), who sees something deeper in her.” http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/urbanworld-2014-review-gina-prince-bythewoods-beyond-the-lights-a-fun-fierce-showbiz-love-story-20140923
The film hits theaters in November.
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