Flagstaff Premiere: Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

Showings

Film Info
Event Type:Documentary Feature
Flagstaff Premiere
Release Year:2019
Run Time:120 minutes
Rating:PG-13
Production Country:United States
Original Language:English
Trailer:https://youtu.be/A8sUwXTWb4M
Cast/Crew Info
Director:Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Description

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Flagstaff premiere of the critically-acclaimed new documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” on Wednesday, July 10 as part of the festival’s monthly Flagstaff Cinema Series. There will be one screening of the film at 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Flagstaff 16 Theatres.


“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the legendary storyteller and Nobel prize-winner. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ‘70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature.


Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative.

Woven together with a rich collection of art, history, literature and personality, the film includes discussions about her many critically acclaimed works, including novels “The Bluest Eye,” “Sula” and “Song of Solomon,” her role as an editor of iconic African-American literature and her time teaching at Princeton University. 


In addition to Ms. Morrison, the film features interviews with Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez and Oprah Winfrey, who turned Morrison’s novel “Beloved” into a feature film. Using Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ elegant portrait-style interviews, “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” includes original music by Kathryn Bostic, a specially created opening sequence by artist Mickalene Thomas, and evocative works by other contemporary African-American artists including Kara Walker, Rashid Johnson and Kerry James Marshall.


“Moving and profound. This remarkable documentary does so many things so well that it’s often like watching several fine films at once. Look for this one to be front and center come Oscar time.” — Los Angeles Times


“Generous and intelligent. Brought alive by the charisma and brilliance of its subject.” — The New York Times


“Rousing. Underscores the deeply humanistic soul responsible for broadening the literary landscape.” — Variety


“Beautiful. Morrison and her novels are treasures.” — The Hollywood Reporter


“Morrison’s life story is pointedly told through the prism of her work.” — Out


A representative from the NAU Philosophy Department and Philosophy in the Public Interest will lead a discussion following the film screening.