UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television: Grad Richardson screens ambitious historical film
Grad Richardson screens ambitious historical film
"I thought it was amazing that there were people alive today that had witnessed public lynching. When we talk about slavery, when we talk about civil rights, we seem to think that those things are so far in our past that nothing exists of it and that there's no remnants of it, but there are," Richardson said.
Richardson wrote and directed "Forgive Us Our Transgressions," which will screen on Oct. 29 at the Kodak Theatre, as his thesis film for the graduate directorial program at UCLA. His story features a young black man who must come to terms with the discovery that his elderly white friend took part in his grandfather's lynching 60 years ago.
During filming, Richardson attempted to make sure the racial tensions and controversial subject matter of lynching were portrayed in an appropriately nuanced way.
"When you're dealing with subject matter this serious, there's a chance that it could become melodrama. And once it becomes melodrama, then you lose the impact," Richardson said.
In order to bring his vision to life, Richardson relied on the support of several UCLA classmates and professors. The film is co-produced by UCLA theater alumnae Alexandra Creswick MFA '09 and Kathy Cabrera MFA '08, who also helped Richardson develop the story. UCLA theater professor Gary Gardner plays a starring role, and the film's cinematographer, Donald Morgan, has also taught classes in UCLA's theater department.
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Richardson and Cabrera have since collaborated on a feature-length screenplay inspired by the story of "Forgive Us Our Transgressions." The two have completed the script, titled "Secrets of the South," and hope to begin shooting in summer 2010, according to Cabrera.
BRUIN PHOTO: Actor Mark Ridley, cinematographer Donald Morgan, director Walter Richardson, actor/professor Gary Gardner.
SCREENING INFORMATION:
You are cordially invited to attend the screening of "Forgive Us Our Trangressions"
Thursday October 29, 2009 at 7:00pm
The Eastman Kodak Company
6700 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood
Wine mixer at 7:00 p.m
Screening at 7:30 p.m.
Q&A; with filmmakers.
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http://www.tft.ucla.edu/ne