On October 19th, 2017 I was walking north on Malcolm X Blvd. in Harlem, when I noticed a movie being made, which is usually no big deal, because movies and tv shows are filmed in the area all the time, but this movie shoot stopped me in my tracks. All the actors were dressed and outfitted beautifully in 1970’s attire and the vintage cars and buses on the street recreated, what I have only read about in books, to say the least I was fascinated, and wanted to know more about this movie. I took a look at the posters that are taped to the street poles to find out more, but the information was misleading, then I asked one of the production people, and he said it was a James Baldwin adaptation of “If Beale Street Could Talk”, I was blown away and immediately went back to my office to get my camera. I read the book years ago, the story of Fonny and Tish, young engaged lovers set in 1970’s Harlem, Fonny is a sculptor who is falsely accused and jailed by racist cops for raping a women of hispanic descent, the family rallies through thick and thin, tomorrow October 9, 2018 the film will be screened at the world famous Apollo Theater, 6 short blocks from where James Baldwin himself lived. I will be at the Apollo Theater for the screening, I’m sure it will be very interesting.
Filmed directed by Barry Jenkins, also directed “Moonlight”, my idea was for all to read the book via the Harlem Heritage Book Club.
