From co-directors Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack comes the feature-length documentary, “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise,” which, as the synopsis states, tells the remarkable story of Maya Angelou – iconic writer, poet, actress and activist – whose life has intersected some of the most profound moments in recent American history.
The film pieces together the life of prejudice and oppression that made the seminal author of “Í Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” the great, inspirational writer whose name defies categorization.
It made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, as part of the Documentary Premieres, and continues to travel the film festival circuit. It’s also a film that I have on my list of 2017 Oscar nominee potentials (in the documentary category).
Previously titled “Maya Angelou: The People’s Poet,” the film’s new title comes from “And Still I Rise,” Angelou’s third volume of poetry, published by Random House in 1978.
No trailer yet, but AFI DOCS Film Festival just released a wonderful clip from the documentary, featuring footage from Angelou’s days as a calypso singer/dancer, as well as interviews with Diahann Carroll and Don Martin speaking about being introduced to Angelou during those years.
The film screens as part of AFI DOCS this year, which runs from June 22-26, 2016 in Washington, DC. Get tickets here: http://bit.ly/1RRTzGk.
Check out the clip below:
