Commentary - I Will Follow

 Earlier this month I did a post on filmmaker, Ava DuVernay (click for post) which among other things discussed the new initiative aimed at giving films of color a wide release in commercial theaters, called AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement).

AFFRM's inaugural release is set for March 11th with Ava's film I Will Follow. Last week I was privy to a Reelblack press screening of the film. Now, it's my policy not to read any reviews of films before I write my own, as I don't want my opinion to be influenced or my words to be inspired by another. However, when I opened by inbox to see that Roger Ebert had reviewed the film, I couldn't help but peep his video review and I have to say, it's exactly what I was hoping to express.  So I'm not going to write my own commentary, I decided to re-blog Ebert's transcript below.

One of the things that I love about his review is that it in no way categorizes I Will Follow as a black film, by a new black female director. His review is based on the merits of the film as they stand. And it's not a "black film", it's a quiet film, it's a reflective film and for those reason's it may not appeal to a wide audience, but anyone who loves a good indie pick should go and support this film opening weekend. For my friends and readers in New York City it's playing at AMC Loews 34th Street. For Philly audiences that means crossing the bridge to AMC Cherry Hill, but I think you'll find it's worth the toll.

ROGER EBERT:

A wonderful new film named "I Will Follow" tells the story of a woman coming to terms with the death of an aunt she deeply loved. The movie stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield in a perfectly realized performance as the niece, named Maye, who lived with her aunt the last year of her life.

As she packs up her aunt's room, she also deals with her memories and loss. Then Fran, the aunt's daughter arrives. She is played by Michole White, and resents how Maye accepted her aunt's decision to die at home and refuse chemotherapy.

We realize the issues between these two women go back a long way. Fran always believed  her mother loved Maye more than her own daughter.

In flashbacks, we see Maye's memories of the departed aunt, played by Beverly Todd. Amanda was a musician for recording sessions--a rock and roll guitarist--who lived life on her own exuberant terms.

As friends, strangers and neighbors pass through the house all day, Sally Richardson-Whitfield shows this woman in a beautifully modulated process of loss and grief, memory and acceptance. "I Will Follow" is one of the best films I've seen about coming to terms with the death of loved one. Directed  by Ava DuVernay, it  isn't sentimental, it isn't superficial. It is very deeply true.

Check out CNN INTERVIEW with the Filmmaker and Stars of the film.