IdentifyLA : The Latest in Entertainment

View Original

'Judas and The Black Messiah' Makes Its Revolutionary Debut at Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival 2021 is right around the corner. From Jan. 28- Feb 3rd, film lovers will be able to once again join in for some of the top films. One of the most-talked about films, Judas and the Black Messiah, is now making its debut at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film is produced by Ryan Coogler and directed and co-written by Shaka King, will debut at Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6:00pm Mountain Time on the digital platform. The Warner Bros. film will also play at several satellite screens, before its Feb. 12, 2021 release.

The film is an American drama that is based on the story of the life of Fred Hampton, chairman  of The Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. The film also highlights Fred Hampton and his importance ’s cathartic words “I am a revolutionary” became a rallying call in 1969. As chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, Hampton demanded all power to the people and inspired a growing movement of solidarity, prompting the FBI to consider him a threat and to plant informant William O’Neal to infiltrate the party.
 

Judas and the Black Messiah not only recounts Hampton’s legacy and the FBI’s conspiring but also gives equal footing to the man who became infamous for his betrayal—highlighting the systems of inequality and oppression that fed both of their roles.

The heavy celeb-backed film will star: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Lil Rey Howery, Martin Sheen and more.

“We are delighted to welcome these powerful works into our program,” said Sundance Film Festival Director Tabitha Jackson, “In a year where our Festival already exemplifies the vanguard of bold, visionary storytelling from around the world, they help further expand our boundaries.”

Sundance Film Festival takes place Jan 28.-Feb.3rd VIRTUALLY! The beloved festival often takes over Park City, UT for 2 weeks has opted to take the film festival virtually for the first time ever. Sundance Film Festival has been trying to increase their diversity and inclusion efforts across all platforms affiliated with the festival. This year, there are even more noteworthy examples of diversity in the lineup which includes: “R#J,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,’ “Coda,” “My Name is Pauli Murray,” to name a few.

Click HERE to see the full film selection this year!