Five yrs ago today, @ManohlaDargis wrote this feature on me. SELMA was coming out on the heels of Ferguson, another community ignited by tragedy. Tension was in the air. I was worried black folks may not accept a new version of King. Turns out that’d be the least of my worries. 
This front page Arts & Leisure piece, which is big deal in the PR world, came out on the same day that Oprah hosted a gorgeous gospel brunch celebration for the film. I’ll remember this moment with @repjohnlewis forever. I thought things were going pretty well for SELMA.
Then, the cast and I wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts to our NYC premiere. One Oscar pundit wrote that the protest was inappropriate and would cost us a nomination. I recall thinking that was ridiculous. That we weren’t getting a nod anyway and why was this man stirring nonsense.
Then, a couple days after our strong release, a blistering editorial calling SELMA a lie because the events of Selma were really LBJ’s idea and he loved black people so much. Chile. They came after me. The first time I experienced that. Wouldn’t be the last.
There was a massive amount of coverage on whether or not I’d made SELMA “accurate.” Questioning my point of view on history. Seeming it “false” and “lies.” Virtually no coverage on this and other analysis years later on the historical accuracy of the film. Yes, that says 100%.
Then, the man who wrote the first script that I did a complete rewrite on, shifting POV from the White House to the people of Selma - plus 80% new characters, scenes, acts - denied me credit. Since neither of us were WGA, he got the credit. To this day, it breaks my heart.
Then, the nominations came out and SELMA was the first film directed by a black woman to be nominated for Best Picture and was nominated for Best Song. But, folks felt there were omissions in other areas and for other films. The mighty @ReignOfApril’s #OscarsSoWhite was born.
Then, we led a march on the racist Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to commemorate bringing the film home. We built a makeshift theater there because there wasn’t one. Legend + Common performed where folks had been beaten decades before. My Dad walked in the front row. I miss him.
Then, we went to the White House. And President Obama told me that he loved the film and to forget the haters.
He actually said the exact words: “Forget the haters.” And with that, I did.
He actually said the exact words: “Forget the haters.” And with that, I did.
Then, Oscars came and I realized that it was a lot of very lovely people in fancy clothes in a ballroom and to never let being there or not being there get in my head again. A lesson I’m glad I learned early. GLORY won. It was a beautiful night. But it shouldn’t dictate our work.
So thanks @ManohlaDargis for the article and for amplifying me early on. That article was the beginning of the public life of the film. A life with ups and downs. SELMA for Students was a highlight. Reactions from real folks was a highlight. It was all a highlight in the end. ✊🏾
