One of the hottest films in Urban Hollywood getting a lot of buzz (and of course limited mainstream attention) is the new independent film titled Dark Girls, Co-Directed by Bill Duke (Duke Media) and D. Channsin Berry (Urban Winter Entertainment). You may have seen the name of the film on several websites or blogs recently and may not have even paid attention, but this film deserves to be noticed. Why do you say? Well, it’s one of the first films that has taken not only the unconventional route of using social media to promote a film, but also because of the modest budget. This project has also done more than expected by creating CONVERSATIONS with the Q & A sessions after the screenings to sold- out audiences. Many who have voiced their willingness to want to help promote the film and even several discussions that lead to debate depending on your take of the film.
In case you haven’t seen or heard about the film, Dark Girls (DG) is a documentary that starts to examine the colorism of African American women today but ends up creating conversations that have plagued the not only black community for years, but the Asian and Latin communities as well. It speaks to the issues with many because of the hues of our skin, and what it means and feels like to be a certain skin tone. The subject matter addresses the issues of having dark skin or light skin and how that has translated to certain people and their surroundings growing up, as children as well as adults. This film doesn’t just get the message of what many may have struggled with for years, but it also lends itself to a means of healing.
As a documentary, we, the viewer, get a chance to see interviews from several people throughout the film such as psychological view from Cheryl Grills, Ph.D. It should be noted the film also brings in a Hollywood perspective as DG sits down with comedian Michael Coylar and actress Viola Davis (who is sure to get an Academy mention next year for her performance in this year’s top film, The Help).
Anyway, we were able to have a conversation with Bill Duke in a series of interviews titled Conversation With Carl, conducted, produced and more by actor/producer/writer Carl Gilliard. Carl kicks off the series with an in-depth interview with Duke discussing how DG came about, and all of the aspects involved in making the film. Here is part one of the interview;
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