Sinners becomes first film in history to earn 16 Oscar nominations

That was the headline of The Guardian, and it tells this historic moment straight. I burst into tears when I saw the news yesterday. This has just so much meaning.

From Attorney Ben Crump's jubilant post on FB

From a financial perspective, the movie's ownership structure is just brilliant, as I wrote in my Juneteenth post about the film HERE.

One of the reasons this film is such a masterpiece, that will become part of the cannon, is the racist history of filmmaking in this country.

Backstory--A long time ago, I started off as a filmmaker, and I was headed to NYU Film school (before I pivoted to acting). One of the films that has been routinely taught as the first great American movie was the supremely racist Birth of a Nation, which I won't even dignify with a link.

Black film students have had to sit through this sick piece of klan propaganda, and put aside their opinions, or measure their responses, in order to allow this nonsense not to impact their schooling. I remember being horrified when I saw how nonchalantly the racism of the film was dismissed in a textbook, instead highlighting the cinematic milestones of the movie.

Well. SPOILER ALERT--if you haven't seen the film and don't want to know a key plot element, stop here. But if you follow this blog, and haven't seen the film, trust me, go see it.

Michael B. Jordan as Smoke shooting down the racists! in Sinners

Watching Michael B. Jordan shoot down the local branch of the klan, WAS SO DEEPLY HEALING. I generally don't like violence, but THIS violence was very much needed. The domestic terrorists who have committed unspeakable horrors in this country, finally got (cinematically) what they deserve.

I believe that Ryan Coogler, who attended USC, wrote this incredibly cathartic scene in direct response to how Birth of a Nation had been lauded in film studies.

And now, Sinners will top that. These two films are in conversation, and Sinners wins. Whatever happens during the Oscars on March 15 this year, nothing can take away the fact that, even counting the newly created award for casting, Sinners has still broken all previous Oscar nominations and made history.

I hope the film also sweeps the awards, because that is what it deserves. God bless Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, and the whole cast and crew. Bravo!

I'm considering doing a screening of Sinners in NYC before the Oscars. Click HERE if you'd be interested, and if there is a cost, I will let you know once we decide.

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