Ava Duvernay
Oh, How Sweet It Is: Ava DuVernay Makes History As The First Black Woman On A Ben & Jerry’s Pint
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty / Ava DuVernay In 2022, this shouldn’t be a first, but one of many by now, but we will still applaud this. Iconic director Ava DuVernay has made history by becoming the first Black woman to have her image on a Ben & Jerry’s pint. The progressive and woke ice cream company proudly revealed earlier this week that the 50-year-old director who gave us powerful projects like When They See Us and Selma, will be the face of a new flavor aptly named “Lights! Camera! Action!” The new ice cream flavor is curated by Ava DuVernay and consists of vanilla ice cream with salted caramel swirls, graham cracker swirls and gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough. It will be available in dairy and non-dairy options, so don’t worry our readers who can’t ...
SXSW Review: DMZ Creates a Compelling New World, But Only Feels Like the Beginning of the Story
This review is part of our coverage of the 2022 SXSW Film Festival. The Pitch: The timing of DMZ is maybe not the greatest, depending on whether or not you’re up for engaging with a story about urban warfare at a time when that sort of literal real-life horror is headline news. But the new HBO Max original series, based on the DC comics series and executive produced by Ava DuVernay, still stands out for its compelling premise and dynamic cast, despite a few issues largely stemming from its format. New World Order: When we first meet Alma Ortega (Rosario Dawson) in the not-too-distant future, she’s working as a medic in an intake facility for those who have tried illegally to enter the United States of America — not to be confused with the Free States of America, because seven years ago, a ...
Ava DuVernay’s Production Company Cuts Ties with Spotify
Ava DuVernay’s production company Array has cut ties with Spotify, The New York Times reports. The decision comes just a year after Array signed an exclusive, multiyear deal with Spotify to produce podcasts. No projects were released, but several scripted and unscripted series had been in development. Neither DuVernay nor Array has given a reason for the split, and Spotify has not offered comment. But the A Wrinkle in Time director joins a growing list of artists who have exited the streaming giant in recent weeks, ever since Neil Young called out the company for spreading COVID-19 misinformation on The Joe Rogan Experience. Since Young’s music was removed, many artists have either followed suit or offered their support to Rogan, and #CancelSpotify t...
Naomi Review: Ava DuVernay Brings a New Type of Superhero Story to the CW
The Pitch: Naomi lives inside the difference between an origin story and a coming-of-age story. The CW’s newest superhero story features Kaci Walfall as the titular teenager, who was already living a pretty interesting life before the possibility that she might have superpowers became a possibility. Based on the first two episodes, the first season (which won’t be crossing over with the rest of the Arrow-verse) is set up to offer an extended look at Naomi’s dawning realization of her own abilities, while also contending with the day-to-day realities of being a modern-day teenager. The show’s success is dependent on how much you want to see both of those elements play out, but thanks to Walfall’s charismatic performance, Naomi’s story proves easy to connect with. Not Your Ordinary Teen Supe...
Ava DuVernay, Questlove, George Takei, and More React to Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict
Today (November 19th), Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of first-degree intentional homicide and four other felony charges after killing two people and shooting another during Black Lives Matter protests that arose in Kenosha, Wisconsin last August after police shot and killed Jacob Blake. Following the verdict, actors, musicians, writers, and comedians responded on social media by expressing outrage but not surprise. Actor George Takei had pointed words about the judicial system. “Justice denied is a body blow to our national psyche. On trial was not only a killer, but a system that continues to kill,” he wrote. “Today that system defeated true justice, once again. But mark these words: We will never stop fighting for what is right and just.” Meanwhile, LeVar Burton got straight to the poin...
Proud Boys Threaten Colin Kaepernick’s Miniseries Production
The filming location for the Netflix miniseries about Colin Kaepernick is on high security alert after a reported threat from the right-wing Proud Boys organization. On Friday, as TMZ reports, the anti-Black Lives Matter group was allegedly planning to protest the production about the former NFL quarterback-turned-civil rights icon. Producers were told in a memo last week that, “anti-BLM sentiments may protest against the production.” Additionally, two anonymous production members told TMZ that the office received an ominous phone call last week, believed to be from the militant far-right Proud Boys. Fortunately, the threat never materialized into anything physical. But TMZ reports that there were internal emails between executives and staff that added additional security measures in order...
Nigerian doctor named one of TIME’s Most Influential People in the world
TIME named Nigerian physician Tunji Funsho to the 2020 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes are available now at time.com/time100, and Mr Funsho’s TIME100 profile is available here. The list, now in its seventeenth year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. Mr Funsho, a cardiologist based in Lagos, Nigeria, is the first Rotary member to receive this honour for the organisation’s work to eradicate polio, having played an essential role in ensuring Africa’s certification as wild polio-free in August of 2020. “I’m honored to be recognized by TIME for my part in ensuring that no child in Africa will ever again be paralyzed by wild polio, a disease that once disabl...
Netflix Unlocks Stranger Things, Bird Box, The Two Popes, More for Free Worldwide Viewing
Facing more competition than ever, Netflix is looking for new ways to attract potential subscribers. Among the streamer’s latest initiatives is offering access to some of its biggest titles, including the first episode of Stranger Things, the horror hit Bird Box, and Oscar nominee The Two Popes, which are now available to stream worldwide for free sans a subscription. A total of ten titles have been made available. In addition to those already mentioned, you can check out the Jennifer Aniston-Adam Sandler comedy Murder Mystery, the Spanish-language sensation Elite, Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, reality-popcorn extravaganza Love Is Blind, iconic actresses Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin squaring off in Grace and Frankie, an...
Colin Kaepernick & Ava DuVernay Team Up With Netflix For Dramatic Series On His High School Years
Source: Carmen Mandato / Getty Colin Kaepernick is known for using his platform and voice to speak up for others, but with his latest venture, he’s giving fans a glimpse of his road to stardom. On Tuesday (Jun 30), Netflix announced the partnership with Colin Kaepernick and Academy Award Nominee and Emmy Award Winner, Ava DuVernay, to produce a limited scripted series focus on Kaepernick’s formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today. “We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix. “It is an unparalleled union of two s...
Ava DuVernay Shares How Little Richard Tipped Her $100 Every Week When She Was A Waitress
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty When the news of Little Richard’s passing was announced, everyone began sharing memories of encounters they had with the architect of Rock ‘N Roll. When They See Us director, Ava DuVernay was one of those people with fond memories of the late musician who passed away due to bone cancer on Saturday (May.9). In a tweet, she revealed that while she was a waitress in Los Angeles, Richard would leave her a $100 tip every week. “I served soul food brunch to Little Richard every Sunday for a year while waitressing at Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in LA. I was a college student. He tipped me a crisp $100 bill each week on a $75 breakfast with friends. This was 30 years ago. Helped me so much. God rest his soul.” I served soul food brunch to Little Richard every Sunda...
