Jordan Wright
September 24, 2013
Special to The Alexandria Times
Click Photo Below to View The Watsons on Location
Upon the 50th anniversary of pivotal events in the Civil Rights movement, Hallmark Channel is proud to present “The Watsons Go To Birmingham”
The Watsons Go To Birmingham had a private showing at the Newseum last week upon the 50th anniversary of the pivotal events of the Civil Rights Movement. The Hallmark Channel’s original new family movie is based on Christopher Paul Curtis’ award-winning book with screenplay written by Tonya Lewis Lee (wife of Film Director, Spike Lee) and produced by Ms. Lee and collaborator Nikki Silver. It’s an inspirational story of an all-American family who takes a road trip in the racially charged days of 1963 from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama. Their experiences of that historic summer give them newfound courage to stand up for their rights and help to bring the family closer.
The Honorable William Bell with Producers Tonya Lewis Lee and Nikki Silver (R)
Not only did Director Kenny Leon and lead actors, Anika Noni Rose, Wood Harris, Bryce Clyde Jenkins and Harrison Knight grace the red carpet, but the Honorable William A. Bell, Sr., the current Mayor of Birmingham, was there to answer questions on the history of the Civil Rights Movement and share his childhood memories of the city. Walden Media President and Co-Founder, Michael Flaherty opened the post screening talkback with Bell acting as moderator and fielding questions from the audience.
From left – Nikki Silver, Bryce Clyde Jenkins, Anika Noni Rose, Harrison Knight, Tonya Lewis Lee and Kenny Leon
Bell was instrumental in discovering and bringing to Washington a number of iconic artifacts uncovered in the city’s archives and warehouses – a Birmingham Police uniform, helmet and baton; a row of church pews from the 16th Street Baptist Church reminiscent of the church bombing that killed four little girls; “White” and “Colored” segregated water fountains; and arrest records from the historic marches.
Birmingham Police uniform and baton — The 6th and 7th grade students from Whittier Education Campus in DC’s Ward 4 with teacher Keith Gill
Displayed in dioramas around the Newseum’s lobby, you can view them up close until they find a permanent home. It is hoped they will be part of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American Culture and History opening on the National Mall in 2015.
In case you missed last week’s airing you can catch encore showings on 9/27 and 10/11 at 8 PM EST on the Hallmark Channel.
Producer and Screenwriter Tonya Lewis Lee
Photo credit – Jordan Wright
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