Written by | Ray Cornelius
The stars of Barry Jenkins‘ critically acclaimed independent film “Moonlight” attended a private screening Monday night in Atlanta, GA. The event took place at the Regal Atlantic Station and was presented by Gil Robertson and the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). Actors Naomie Harris, Janelle Monáe and Trevante Rhodes were all smiles as they walked the red carpet and mingled with guests during a pre-screening reception.
Following the screening was a brief Q&A session moderated by Robertson and featuring Jenkins along with the cast and NYU Professor Frank Roberts. It was revealed during the discussion that Harris initially turned down the role of “Paula,” the crack addicted mother of “Chiron,” because she didn’t want to feed into the negative stereotype of Black women. However, when it was revealed to her by Jenkins that she would be was playing a combination of his mother and McCraney’s mother, she quickly changed her mind and accepted the role.
Monae, who is making her film debut and will also star in “Hidden Figures,” admitted during the Q&A that she was “nervous as hell” on the first day of shooting. However, she was able to collect herself when she realized that the film was much bigger than her. She also felt it was her responsibility to help those who may have felt like an outsider at some point in their lives.
Other special invited guests to the screening included filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper, Clark Atlanta University’s Dr. Daniel Black, “If Loving You is Wrong” star Joel Rush, singer Rahbi and a host of others.
See more photos below:
Gil Robertson
Dr. Daniel Black
Singer Rahbi
If Loving You is Wrong’s Joel Rush
Bishop O.C. Allen and his husband Rashad Burgess
Filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper
Gil Robertson with Barry Jenkins and the “Moonlight” cast
Naomie Harris
Trevante Rhodes
Janelle Monáe
Trevante Rhodes and Joel Rush
Barry Jenkins and Naomie Harris
Janelle Monáe
Naomie Harris with Trevante Rhodes
“Moonlight’ opens in theaters October 21!
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com