If you loved the film Amazing Grace, about Aretha Franklin (Dir. Sydney Pollack), then you are really going to enjoy The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (Dir. Christine Swanson). The feature film tells the warts-and-all story of one of the biggest gospel groups in US history. The multi-Grammy Award-winning divas were to gospel music what the Jackson Five were to pop and soul.
Executive-produced by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Loretha Jones and Holly Carter, the film was released during lockdown last year. It stars Aunjanue Ellis, as the group’s formidably pushy and result-driven matriach, who lets nothing and no one stand in the way of her mission to take her girls to the top and make them ‘stars for Jesus’. Also starring, Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin, and Angela Birchett.
This Friday 18th June from 18:30 – 20:45 BST thanks to A+E Network, Rhythm & Views FF and Black Stock Films is able to showcase this Lifetime production, to be supported by a post-screening discussion on Zoom with a panel of gospel music specialists.
This will cover some of the issues highlighted in the film: why is gospel music so uplifting and inspiring? Taboos around gospel v. secular music, domestic violence and abuse in the church, sexism, gospel’s ‘diminishing role in an increasingly secular society’: is it redundant or only for royal weddings and TV specials?
Dress up in your fineries and wear your best hat, if you like. This soulful film is bound to uplift and inspire you.
The link to the movie, and the separate Zoom discussion will be sent after registration.
Free tickets and donation tickets are available so get yours today.
