Okay, naturally like everybody else I was totally and completely horrified when I first heard the news that Tyler Perry was chosen by Lionsgate to write, produce, and direct the classic play, "Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf" (I'm sure they'll shorten that title). I mean, WTF?
But then, after further reflection, I decided to keep a Zen attitude about it until the finished product....I mean, we've been bitchin' and moanin' (some of us, anyway) since I first started blogging about how mediocre Perry's scope of limited filmmaking is....he had a formula, followed it, then moved on to the next one in his factory line.
But maybe this is his chance to show there really is something else there, without him having the pressure of having to actually create the material himself. In my opinion, the Spike Lee films that I usually enjoy the most he did not write, and he definitely owns the film when all is said and done---maybe Tyler can do that as well. We should at least give him a chance and try to stay positive about it, no matter how great the initial disappointment.
On another note, speaking of Tyler and Spike, this project and Lee's "Passing Strange" lends a little gravity to the thoughts I've had for using on-stage media for film source, yes?
UPDATE: Hmmmm, maybe I spoke too soon...this from a commentor on Shadow And Act in response to a reader who wanted to start an online petition:
[NothingButAMan] – I TOTALLY support your idea of an on-line petition!! Being a former “Hollywood” girl I have great insight to this tragic situation. Stewart, who is an AMAZING talent, had been working solo on the project for the past 4 years (wrote script, secured rights, gained A-list talent, etc) only to have it stolen in a moments notice when she introduced the project to Perry who was only to exec produce. Sooooo- do you want me to start the petition or you? Another example of BLACK ON BLACK crime – this has to stop!!!!
From IW: Wow. Tyler is surely stepping in it....he might have bitten off more than he can chew. This from one of my loyal readers Ms. Lady Deborah:
IW,
I am going to try and keep an open mind until after I see the film.
For Colored Girls was one of the most important pieces of art for women of my generation. That was us up on that stage, talking like we did when we were hanging out with each other. Saying things that often we not spoken out loud during our young days of womanhood.
Those brothers coming from Nam, they were the men we were building relationships with and often paying devastating costs for doing so. Our anger, our joy and our love was/is right there.
It caused quite a bit of friction within the Black community. I remember when it played in my hometown, the brothers were all laughing and feeling the first part of the choreopoem-until the rough subjects like rape, violence and negative views starting being presented. Those moments caused many men to become outraged and declare that it was male bashing. But, we fought back in defense of what was said, because so many of us had lived those moments in our personal stories. Even though many of our men and families did not want to acknowledge that as a matter of fact.
I hope that Tyler realizes if he does not handle this material in a proper manner-he is going to catch the blues from multiple generations of sistas.
For Colored Girls is now a classical work of theatre. He'd better step real correct! I want to hear our voice and the voices of our younger sistas in a manner that I understand.
IW: Like Bernie Mac said in "The Player's Club": "they's gonna be trooouubbbllllee...."
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