As you probably noticed by now, I like going to the movies! My schedule is busy, so I can usually only fit in one movie screening per week, on a good week that is! Which means, I have to be selective of which movies I go see. Last week, I went to see Selma. I was so moved by the movie, that as we were leaving the theater, I started to type my comments about the movie on social media. Then, I remembered I had to wait until the movie opened in theaters to post about it. It was hard to contain myself. Selma is a movie that is not only entertaining and well produced, it is based on history and a significant time for civil rights in our country. The movie chronicles the campaign for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is a powerful movie, it had to be, because it tackles some difficult times in the civil rights movement, the injustices some had to endure, discrimination, and racism. It stays on topic, but also gives us a glimpse into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a man, a person, his feelings and how many personal sacrifices he made to lead and continue the fight for social justice.

I am not one to go to the movies to critique the production, I usually go for the entertainment and fun of going to the movies. Selma, is not only entertaining, it is also an educational experience. I was so moved by the movie, that at times I had tears in my eyes, as did my friend that was watching the movie with me. It made me reflect. I left the theater thinking this was such an educational movie, that students would benefit from watching it. Today, I was glad to learn that leaders in the African American community of New York united to raise funds to allow students from 7th, 8th, & 9th grade to attend the movie for free. In New York, 27 leaders, raised enough money for 27,000 New York students to see the film for free at participating theaters. The New York City effort sold out in the very first weekend and was expanded to 75,000 free tickets for students! Business and community leaders in other cities followed New York’s example, and within a few days it was confirmed that Boston, Nashville, San Francisco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Sarasota, and Westchester would also be offering students the opportunity to watch the movie for free. Additional cities are getting organized and will be announced this Wednesday, January 14.

Selma won a Golden Globe Award for Best Song (“Glory” by Common & John Legend) and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. For me, the movie carries a very personal message and I am glad thousands of students across the country will have the opportunity to view it. To learn more about the movie and where students can go see it for free, go to: Selma Movie. To help get the word out about this program for students, tweet using the hashtag #SelmaForStudents. If you haven’t seen the movie trailer, I posted it below, along with some pictures from the film and the Golden Globe Post Party held by Paramount Pictures.

Have you seen Selma or do you plan to go see it? Were you familiar with what occurred in Selma prior to this movie coming out?

Hugs,

Paola

Pictures from the Golden Globes Post Party held by Paramount Pictures at The Beverly Hilton: