Oprah is having a big show tomorrow featuring the cast of the highly-anticipated film The Great Debaters. Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker lead this emotionally charged slice of American history tale.
Set in the backdrop of pre-Civil Rights, The Great Debaters tells the story of a black professor's hard fought battle to lead a team of black college students to a debate against the prestigious all-white Harvard University debate team. The Great Debaters marks Denzel Washington's second directorial effort after his critically acclaimed debut Antwon Fisher.
Kimberly Elise (Diary of a Mad Black Women, John Q) and Jurnee Smollett (Eve's Bayou, Roll Bounce) also star. You may remember Smollett as Michelle Tanner's spunky bestfriend on Full House. (At least that's when I became a fan). Here's to hoping that she nabs an Oscar for her role and this movie propels her career to a whole new plateau.
The Great Debaters opens nationwide in theaters on Dec. 25th.
[Update 11/26/07] - I just watched the show and it was AMAZING seeing all those talented black actors sitting together on Oprah's stage!!! They showed an extended clip from the movie where Jurnee was giving her speech about how black students and white students should be equally educated and it was break-taking, poignant and brilliant all wrapped in one. I can't wait to see this movie! And even better yet, I can't wait to see the young actors' careers emerge and blossom.
I'll leave you with these inspiring words that Denzel Washington imparted to the younger actors:
3 comments:
Cannot wait to see this at Christmas with my children.
That interview was great! Jurnee is definately one to watch, but so are her cast mates. I'm looking very forward to seeing this movie. One a slightly different but on topic not, I feel you and I are doing pretty good at spotting talent. We pegged Jurnee before she was cast in this, so we're on track with the best! No if we only had the power to get movies greelighted.
I know!!! Top, you're so right!
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