Tambay Obenson @TambayObenson Twitter profile | Pikagi

Pikagi

Tambay Obenson

@TambayObenson

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Founded Shadow & Act LLC, 2009. Sold to Blavity Inc, 2017. Staff writer at IndieWire 2018-2022. Now building @akorokoafrica , and African cinema platform!

Itinerant

https://t.co/KHenBzCWjz

Joined September 2011

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 months

And so it begins... I have no idea what to expect, but even one subscriber would be a win. I can build on that over time. That said, I'll be publishing a lot less often here. Much of the work (and more to be unveiled), will go to subscribers only. Join me in starting something...

@akorokoafrica

Akoroko — African Cinema Now!

3 months

The next chapter in the Akoroko story begins now with Akoroko Premium. Announcement below if you missed it. Subscribe here courtesy of @stripe :

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

Flint needs just $55 million to remove lead pipes in the city that's been beleaguered by a toxic water crisis. No billionaires for Flint?

@ABC

ABC News

5 years

$339 million pledged to rebuild Notre Dame cathedral after fire nearly destroys Paris landmark.

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5 years

"Americanah," "The Underground Railroad," "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," "If Beale Street Could Talk," "Moonlight," "Selma," "12 Years a Slave"... Brad Pitt has produced more *black films/TV* than certain influential black industry folks I will not name...

@danaiguriraaa

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5 years

TOO MUCH BEAUTY IN ONE PHOTO I CANT BRETHWE EE

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

First openly gay black man to be nominated AND win in any lead acting category. #Emmys

@IndieWire

IndieWire

5 years

#Emmys : Billy Porter wins Lead Actor in a Drama Series for #Pose

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

"A descendant of an American slave on Wednesday sued Harvard University to gain possession of photos of her great-great-great grandfather that the school commissioned in 1850 on behalf of a professor trying to prove the inferiority of black people."

@Reuters

Reuters

5 years

Harvard sued by descendant of U.S. slave photographed in 19th century

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Buried in all the madness is that Will Smith's win makes him only the 5th Black actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor, and the first in 16 years, since Forest Whitaker won for "The Last King of Scotland" in 2006. #Oscars

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

This is a whole TV series right here... Set in the first black modeling agency, following the people who ran it, and their many clients. How about it @netflix ?

@evilrashida

Versace Hottie

6 years

Group portrait of models employed by the Black Beauty agency (1969)

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

"Proctor was the first African-American woman to own an ad agency... who brought the Beatles' music to America—literally—as a Vee-Jay Records executive." #HiddenFigures

@adage

Ad Age

6 years

Pioneering black woman in advertising, Barbara Gardner Proctor, has died

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

Public service announcement (PSA): Sidney Poiter and Harry Belafonte are 91 years old this year; and Cicely Tyson is 93 #NationalTreasures

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

The film made her the first Black woman to direct a studio movie, the first Black filmmaker to direct an Oscar-nominated film, and the only woman to direct Marlon Brando.

@mubiusa

MUBI US

2 years

Euzhan Palcy behind the scenes of A Dry White Season, 1989.

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Tambay Obenson

3 years

#FunFact : Rita Moreno's skin was darkened for her role as Anita in the 1961 adaptation of "West Side Story," which launched her career with an Oscar win. Although she didn't have a say in the matter. But clearly, for Black Latinx in Hollywood, "wait a while" is so 1960s.

@812filmreviews

Robert Daniels 🔜 Locarno

@812filmreviews

3 years

“Well I’m simply saying, can’t you just wait a while and leave it alone?” Moreno responded. That’s such a damming quote, and I’m totally disappointed with Rita Moreno.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

11 months

Trailer debut | Hulu's "The Other Black Girl." Based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’ best-selling novel. She cited Jordan Peele's "Get Out" and Ira Levin's "The Stepford Wives" as inspiration. It's evident. Premieres Sept. 13.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

Nicole Beharie is SO underrated. She's an Actor. Capital "A" intentional.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

Issa Rae Introduces Courses for Digital Creators | #BlackAndUnlimited Creator Courses #IssaRae

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

It doesn't appear that #Netflix is making its African series and movies available to American press for coverage. Every American journalist I've asked didn't receive screeners, nor talent pitches for this series which premieres today. Hence, virtually no reviews, interviews, etc.

@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

And here's Netflix's first Kenyan series #CountryQueen , coming July 15: "A family drama series that tells the story of ordinary Kenyans fighting against a corporate power that threatens to destroy their homes and lives. Focuses on the issues of land grabbing and exploitation."

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

The African Film Heritage Project (AFHP) has restored 15 African films since it launched in 2016. The AFHP is the initiative spearheaded by Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation that aims to preserve classic African films. I wasn't aware they'd done that many. No fanfare I guess..

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

Anyone see this coming? #Joker

@IndieWire

IndieWire

5 years

‘Joker’ Wins Venice Film Festival Golden Lion, Roman Polanski Gets Grand Jury Prize

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

"Something Good-Negro Kiss," the newly discovered 1898 silent film "believed to be the earliest cinematic depiction of African-American affection" has been added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Watch the 30-second short here

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

I wonder how many #Atlanta and #ChildishGambino fans are familiar with Donald Glover's early career as a member of Internet sketch comedy group Derrick Comedy, pre-2010s. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby."

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Nikyatu Jusu is only the second Black woman filmmaker to win the coveted U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize in Sundance history. The first was Chinonye Chukwu's "Clemency" in 2019.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

2 years

#Sundance2022 Award Winners: ‘Nanny,’ ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth,’ and ‘Navalny’ Win Big

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

Netflix not wasting any time. Although I do hope they give the film a theatrical run #Atlantics #Atlantiques #MatiDiop

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

Criterion is catching up. Oldies "Love Jones," "Chameleon Street," and now "Eve's Bayou," plus newbies "Farewell Amor" and "Eyimofe," all entered the collection this year. This is what happens when you hire a curatorial director who is committed to elevating Black cinema.

@Criterion

Criterion Collection

2 years

Kasi Lemmons’s spellbinding feature debut EVE'S BAYOU ('97) is an evocative journey into the maze of memory steeped in southern-gothic atmosphere—a scintillating showcase for a powerhouse ensemble of Black actresses. Entering the collection this October!

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

As I've said before, she's the best thing about the movie. I don't know if any other actress could've carried it as she does. At times, it feels like she's in an entirely different movie than everyone else around her. That's just raw talent.

@MatthewACherry

Matthew A. Cherry

@MatthewACherry

5 years

No matter how you feel about #UsMovie the one thing I hope we all can agree on, after you all see it opening weekend, is that @Lupita_Nyongo deserves a best actress nomination. Two in fact.

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Born on this day, January 2, 1884, pioneer filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. To commemorate, here's a piece I wrote for IndieWire last year: Why Has Hollywood Still Not Given Pioneering Black Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux His Due?

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

"Financed by the Rhodes family of New Orleans (a wealthy African American family that has provided dignified burials for African Americans since the Civil War), 'Cane River' was championed by Richard Pryor, but disappeared for decades after director Horace Jenkins' sudden death."

@IndieWire

IndieWire

5 years

#CaneRiver : A Forgotten Black Director’s Only Film Resurfaces After Being Lost for 40 years

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Tambay Obenson

4 years

Yo, here's your chance to watch Kathleen Collins' "Losing Ground" for *free*. Take advantage and see one one of the most compelling indies of the last 40 years, directed by a black woman filmmaker.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

. @Criterion Lifts Paywall to Stream ‘Daughters of the Dust’ and More Black Films for Free

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

#Netflix has dropped a 45-page report on its "Africa adventures" from 2016-2022. I just received it. I'll go through it and share highlights in this thread, so this may take all day... 🤪

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

Rami Malek is only the second actor of Egyptian descent to be nominated in an acting category. His predecessor, Omar Sharif, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sherif Ali in "Lawrence of Arabia," in 1962. He lost, so Malek makes history! #Oscars #Oscars2019

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

"Cleopatra Jones" is now streaming on Netflix. You're welcome...

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

The University of Chicago scholar who identified and dated the 1898 film has now been honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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Academy honors UChicago scholar who identified historic on-screen kiss

1898 silent film of black actors prompts ‘radical rethinking of early cinema’

news.uchicago.edu

@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

"Something Good-Negro Kiss," the newly discovered 1898 silent film "believed to be the earliest cinematic depiction of African-American affection" has been added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Watch the 30-second short here

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Tambay Obenson

4 years

I wrote this.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

10 Films to Watch in Support of Black Liberation #StreamOfTheDay

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

The @donaldglover / @MuraiHiro tag-team continues to be wonderfully fruitful. I'm not sure Murai's contributions are being acknowledged enough, but he's the man behind most of Childish Gambino's music videos, as well as directing almost the entire 1st & 2nd seasons of #Atlanta .

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

"Even though the majority of Brazil’s female population is black, Brazilian cinema is still dominated by white talent. A new generation of filmmakers is bringing Brazil’s black female experience to the big screen."

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER Official Trailer | In Theaters, On Demand, and Digital June 9, 2023

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

Carl Franklin is 74. An early directing career that included ONE FALSE MOVE and DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS should've augured a career of feature film opportunities that lived somewhere between Sidney Lumet's and David Fincher's. For much of this century, he's directed TV. #Unsung

@Criterion

Criterion Collection

1 year

A wonderful visit from legendary director Carl Franklin!

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

Paul Robeson's birthday today... was just reminded. One of my fave media clips of him here, speaking about his process as the first Black American to play Othello in an American Theatre (New York 1943).

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

And here's Netflix's first Kenyan series #CountryQueen , coming July 15: "A family drama series that tells the story of ordinary Kenyans fighting against a corporate power that threatens to destroy their homes and lives. Focuses on the issues of land grabbing and exploitation."

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

It's very rare that a Nigerian film, directed by a Nigerian-American filmmaker, starring a (mostly) Nigerian cast, and set in Nigeria, receives a theatrical release in the USA. Congrats Faraday Okoro!

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

🥳

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Tambay Obenson

3 years

There's a film to be made about Welles' involvement w/ the New York Negro Theatre Unit in the 1930s, a precursor to the American Negro Theater. In fact, that entire theatrical backdrop, which also included Poitier, Belafonte, Dee & Ossie, can be foregrounded in multiple projects.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

Yes, the DGA honored him, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (a trifle), both in the late 80s, forty years after his death. But just how well-known and acknowledged is Oscar Micheaux - and some of his contemporaries - as artist and entrepreneur? I weigh in.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

3 years

Why Has Hollywood Still Not Given Pioneering Black Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux His Due?

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

@IssaRae You know what Kelli would call that, right? Growth :-)

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 months

Don't underestimate the power of a poster to spark interest in your film. I know nothing about the plot or the filmmaker, other than he/she is Nigerian. But, it has an aesthetic that differentiates it from typical "Nollywood" film posters. As a result, I want to learn more... 🤷🏾‍♂️

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

"In its first month, 'Lupin' drew viewers from 76M households, more than 'The Queen’s Gambit' or 'Bridgerton' [...] It's Netflix's second-biggest original debut of all time [...] Sy recently optioned 'At Night All Blood Is Black,' the potent novel about WWI Senegalese riflemen."

@FramingBlacknes

Framing Blackness

@FramingBlacknes

3 years

Lengthy profile worth reading: The Formidable Charm of @OmarSy #Lupin #Netflix #StrongBlackLead

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Tambay Obenson

4 years

I told her that she should have Helen Mirren's career. She told me that she should have me in her hip pocket. It was that kind of conversation. Read it...

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

From Bombshell to Megachurch Matriarch: Lynn Whitfield Loves Fiery Roles

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

4 years

Meshell Ndegeocello's "Bitter" is a masterpiece (a word I rarely use) that should've won all the Grammys, but wasn't even nominated for a single one. In fact, Meshell has never won a Grammy Award. That should tell you all you need to know about the Grammys.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

@kyalbr @Winston_Duke @yahya Just realized that the scissors top resembles the 2 heads that made up the first poster for the film. Makes me wonder if we might be looking at hands from 2 different people.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

Instead of a remake, he should produce a film that tells the origin story of Candyman - the legend of an artist and son of a slave, who had his hand severed and replaced it with a hook by an angry white mob, who then exposed him to hungry bees that stung him to death.

@shadowandact

Shadow and Act

6 years

Report: #JordanPeele In Talks To Produce A 'Candyman' Remake

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

. @questlove makes his feature directorial with this head-bobbing, finger-snapping, toe-tapping, although at times sobering "jawn," which opened the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. My review...

@IndieWire

IndieWire

3 years

#SummerOfSoul Review: Questlove’s Directorial Debut Captures the Legacy of Forgotten ‘Black Woodstock’ #Sundance2021

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

Plus, zero films directed by Black filmmakers, in and out of competition. Then again, there rarely are more than one of two. That's one reason I look forward to #TIFF every year. What Cannes misses, TIFF will offset.

@Variety

Variety

2 years

Cannes Competition Lineup Only Has Three Films From Female Directors, Falling Short of Gender Parity Goals

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

How is @SaloumMovie still without distribution, especially in the US? It premiered at TIFF last year, and is still on the fesitval circuit. It's a gem hiding in plain sight; an imaginative genre mashup from Senegal, directed by Jean Luc Herbulot. I hope a deal is in the works.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

4 years

I thought it would be an inspired idea to revisit the film from the POV of the women co-leads, so I went down memory lane with both Cynda Williams and Joie Lee. They were very wonderfully open about their experiences, from auditions to the film's release, critics etc. READ:

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

‘Mo’ Better Blues’ at 30: Spike Lee’s Fourth Joint, as Told By Female Leads Cynda Williams and Joie Lee

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

So, Raju is like The Spook Who Sat By the Door to the 1000th power. #RRRMovie

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

A forgotten black director's only film resurfaces after almost 40 years: Horace Jenkins' "Cane River" (1982). Sadly, Jenkins died the same year the film debuted. If you're in NYC, @MoMAFilm is screening an HD restored version of the film on Jan. 18 and 31

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

"White students graduate into an industry; Black students into a desert. Young filmmakers don't learn from history. We are making Black versions of white imagination. Why? White culture is exhausted. The new vibrations are going to come from us, Africa, Latin America, Asia."

@IndieWire

IndieWire

3 years

#Sankofa : Haile Gerima Wants His Resistance Cinema to Inspire Next Gen of Black Filmmakers @netflix @ARRAYNow @ava

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

4 years

It just hit me.... Jason Clarke has been directed by three different Black women directors: Dee Rees, Victoria Mahoney and Jada Pinkett-Smith. I can't think of another while male actor who has been directed by three Black women. If you can, lemme know.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

"Historically, Academy Award-sanctioned films about black life imply that the idea of 'black struggle' governs the contemporary industry viewpoint on what is genuine about that experience."

@IndieWire

IndieWire

6 years

Black Films and the Oscars: Despair Must Not Be the Only Route to Prestige

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

TV is so ahead of film in the diversity and inclusion departments. Several overall TV deals inked in the last couple of years.

@melsil

Melissa Silverstein

6 years

Angela Robinson Signs Overall Deal with Paramount TV

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

Gil Scott-Heron, born this day, April 1, 1949. Here he is performing "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" with Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, during an episode of the short-lived PBS variety arts series "Ossie and Ruby!" (1980-1981).

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

Believed to be the first film directed by a black African filmmaker, watch the short doc "Afrique sur Seine" (1955) - a film that captures Africans in Paris, by Beninese/Senegalese film director and historian, Paulin Vieyra

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

"I navigate with a sense of knowing that I’m being ‘allowed’ entry into these spaces, by the gatekeepers... They can now say, ‘this space is being occupied by Tarell McCraney, and there isn’t any room for any more like him.' And that’s just not what I want my experience to be..."

@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

‘High Flying Bird’: Tarell Alvin McCraney Still Feels Like an Outsider After ‘Moonlight’

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

"An absurdist, coming-of-age joyride about a 13-foot-tall Black man who lives in Oakland, CA." Say no more.

@BootsRiley

Boots Riley

2 years

I guess this is a good time to announce that Walton Goggins is a FUCKING BEAST and is part of the cast of I'm A Virgo- He's joining Jharrel Jerome, Mike Epps, Brett Gray, Carmen Ejogo, Olivia Washington, Kara Young, Allius Barnes and others who all love Mezcal.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

It's not the first time. A producer, especially one with wide reach and influence, should know this. See "Kongi's Harvest," 1970, directed by Ossie Davis, starring Soyinka himself.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

Nice to see Tina Gordon back in the director's chair, 6 years after her feature debut! As of today, it might be the ONLY studio-backed feature film directed by a black woman filmmaker, to be released in 2019.

@shadowandact

Shadow and Act

6 years

#Blackish star @MarsaiMartin and mega-producer @WillpowerPacker on the melanated magic of 'Little'

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

So far this year, I've had the pleasure of seeing four distinct 2023 features directed by Nigerian filmmakers based in (and outside) the country: GIRL (Adura Onashile), MAMI WATA (CJ Obasi), ALL THE COLOURS IN THE WORLD... (Babatunde Apalowo), and GANGS OF LAGOS (Jade Osiberu).

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

I built Shadow and Act, which I no longer operate. And now I'm building something new, emphasizing African cinema. Details forthcoming. In the meantime:

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

When "Get Out" was released, I referenced "Tales From the Hood" as an earlier movie that used horror to tackle social issues of importance to African Americans, and I expected this might happen after "Get Out's" success >> TALES FROM THE HOOD 2 Is Coming

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

An @akorokoafrica campaign thread... Some of you might be sick and tired of seeing my fundraiser tweets. Alas... 🤷🏿‍♂️ Consider this a 2022 finale. Although I will likely retweet this several times over the next two weeks #FairWarning

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

"Few know that Sembène’s [BLACK GIRL] was based on a real-life incident... The 'real' Diouana was Diouana Gomis, a 31-year-old woman from Senegal, hired as a maid and nanny for a white French family, and died by suicide less than three months later."

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

Oh, @DanaiGurira will script the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Americanah" that @Lupita_Nyongo will star in. It'll be their next project. I wonder if David Oyelowo is still involved. There doesn't appear to be a director attached yet however...

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

#ABFF 2023 will open with THEY CLONED TYRONE, Netflix's "satirical conspiracy caper" starring John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx. The opening night screening will take place on June 14 in Miami Beach.

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Given how well #THEWOMANKING performing, figured I'd see what I could dig up about Beninese cinema — specifically, if any Beninese filmmakers have tackled the Dahomey Warriors story on film. Why Benin? Dahomey was located within what is present-day Benin. It's their history.

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

NEON has acquired North American rights to Raoul Peck’s documentary ORWELL, described as the definitive feature-length documentary on visionary author George Orwell, with the exclusive cooperation of his Estate. Producers include Alex Gibney for Jigsaw Productions.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

4 years

I'm so tired of "statements." Everytime something like this happens, every politician or former politician releases a "statement." But "statements" don't make change. Policy does. And until the people in power enact policies that directly address the problem, nothing will change.

@BarackObama

Barack Obama

4 years

My statement on the death of George Floyd:

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

"If there's a show with black people on it that too many white people like, chances are it's not for black people" ~ Lena Waithe. Hah! #BoomerangOnBET #TCA19

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Fun fact: German filmmaker Tom Tykwer of "Run Lola Run," "Cloud Atlas," and "Sense8" (both with the Wachowskis) fame (he also composed music for "The Matrix Resurrections"), produced at least 6 films by Kenyan writer-directors making their feature debuts, between 2010 and 2019.

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Ms. Jusu has been toiling away for years and I'm glad to see her get this shine. I hope the film sells well, and she's afforded the same opportunities that white dudes typically get after their Sundance splashes.

@812filmreviews

Robert Daniels 🔜 Locarno

@812filmreviews

2 years

Nikyatu Jusu’s NANNY… wow. An unreal Anna Diop, lush cinematography by Rina Yang, and devastating use of folktales by Jusu. Such a smart film about the exploitation of African immigrant mothers. People need to see this movie, and do the work it demands. It’s worth it. #sundance

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

5 years

Meanwhile... across the pond... what is effectively considered Africa's version of the Cannes Film Festival, is underway, celebrating its 50th anniversary, and will likely receive very little, if any, Stateside coverage #Fespaco2019

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Its idea of a Kenyan version of Batman roaming the evening streets of Nairobi #MidjourneyAI

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Tambay Obenson

4 years

I had a nice long chat with writer/director Rusty Cundieff, and he was very candid. #OralHistory

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

‘Tales From the Hood’ at 25: How the Classic ’90s Anthology Anticipated the Future of Black Horror

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

#SAGAwards #SAGAwards2023

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

"It was a familiar dilemma for Viola Davis... The star of #Widows needed to know what kind of wig or extensions she should wear to play [her character]. Director Steve McQueen’s answer shocked her: "Your own hair is beautiful just wear it that way..."

@violadavis

Viola Davis

6 years

And so it begins......

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

I spoke to the always delightful Ms. Nyong'o about freaking out her castmates and crew while staying in character throughout the filming of "Us." But more importantly, we talked about her rigorous process which just might earn her another Oscar nomination.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

5 years

Lupita Nyong’o Reveals the Extensive Research Behind Her Oscar-Worthy Performance in #Us

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Tambay Obenson

4 years

Gotta feel bad for Walter Mosley. Since "Devil in a Blue Dress," he's seen so many of his novels put into development, but none made it to the screen. If "Devil" did launch a franchise, we might be having a different conversation about his work right now. My thoughts...

@IndieWire

IndieWire

4 years

‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ Should Have Launched a Franchise #StreamOfTheDay @hulu

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

I'm compiling a list of novels by African authors that have been adapted to film or television anywhere in the world. Chime in: Half of a Yellow Sun, Things Fall Apart, Beasts of No Nation, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Xala, Horses of God, Americanah (in the works)... (contd)

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

7 years

A black director has never won in the Best Director – Motion Picture category. There've been 4 nominees: Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing; Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave; Ava DuVernay, Selma; and Barry Jenkins, Moonlight. #GoldenGobes

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

I shared brief similar stories of my own mother and sisters. We laughed, chatted for a couple of minutes. She left with her mother. The end. Sorry, if you were expecting some other ending to this 😁. Ultimately, the lesson here is: woman or man, know your worth & don't settle.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

3 years

The rabble-rouser who struck the match that launched a movement, and gave Spike Lee his wings, has left the building. RIP monsieur.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

3 years

Melvin Van Peebles Dies: Iconic Filmmaker, Actor, and Novelist Was 89

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

Letitia Wright To Play Lead In ‘Black Panther’ Co-Star Danai Gurira’s Stage Play ‘The Convert’ About A Girl Who Converts to Catholicism in 1890s Rhodesia (Zimbabwe Today)

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

‘Selah and the Spades’ Trailer: Sundance Drama Explores Underground Life at Boarding School (directed by @tayarisha )

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

Streaming for the win - especially when it comes to what might be seen as *riskier* (read: anomalous work by people of color) bets? >> ‘Atlantics’: Netflix’s Aggressive Africa Push Continues With Acquisition of Cannes Grand Prix Winner

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Tambay Obenson

6 years

Must look up this play >> "... follows twin sisters who are on a revenge journey from the South to the California desert to find (and kill) their father at the request of their ailing mother, who is God."

@melsil

Melissa Silverstein

6 years

Aleshea Harris to Adapt Her Award-Winning Play “Is God Is” for the Screen

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

Only the second win by a Black librettist in 75 years of the Tony Awards.

@TheTonyAwards

The Tony Awards

2 years

Congrats to @strangeloopbway ’s @thelivingmj , #TonyAwards -winner for Best Book of a Musical. Bravo! #75YearsofTonys

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Tambay Obenson

1 year

Trailer: LOVE TO LOVE YOU, DONNA SUMMER: HBO's intimate documentary portrait of the Queen of Disco, directed by Roger Ross Williams, and Brooklyn Sudano, daughter of Donna Summer. Premieres May 20th on HBO Max.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

2 years

Discovering #MidjourneyAI . This thing can soak up a chunk of your time if you're not paying attention. I asked #MidjourneyAI to imagine painterly Nollywood-style images of Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love," and this is what it created 🤷🏾‍♂️

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

"In another historic feat, #BlackPanther is on track to close 2018 as North America's highest-grossing film, marking the first time that a movie with a predominantly black cast, black writers & black director has ever topped any annual list of the highest-grossing movies!"

@IndieWire

IndieWire

6 years

Black Cinema’s Rise in 2018: In the Year of #BlackPanther , Has Real Change Happened?

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Tambay Obenson

2 years

One thing I will say about my experience finally seeing #BlackPantherWakandaForever is realizing just how generally underutilized Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira have been as two versatile actresses, with undeniable screen presence, and leading lady vibes. We are being denied.

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

Full doc here:

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Hiplife Rewind (Documentary) - BBC Africa

Hiplife Rewind explores the story of Ghana’s influential music genre through personal accounts of key artists and creatives in the scene.Featuring pioneering...

www.youtube.com

@manifestive

M.anifest

1 year

BBC documentary ‘Hiplife Rewind’ dropping on Feb 6th 🇬🇭🪐

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

1 year

I've joined the Urbanworld Film Festival team as Lead Curator. Looking forward to heading back to NYC, working with new festival director Karen McMullen, and having some impact on the lancscape!

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Tambay Obenson

5 years

Other things I learned in talking to him for this piece, include how supportive his parents were of his pursuing acting from a very young age, which isn't always the case, especially for a kid from a working class African American family living in Bessemer, Alabama.

@IndieWire

IndieWire

5 years

#HighFlyingBird : Andre Holland Explains How He Pitched a Movie to Steven Soderbergh

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@TambayObenson

Tambay Obenson

6 years

Before I forget... Eartha Kitt would've been 92 years old today. Here she is on love and compromise in a relationship, unapologetically

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