We are pleased to offer an excerpt from the latest issue of the online magazine, Bright Wall/Dark Room. Their April issue focuses on forgiveness, in addition to Sophia Stewart’s piece on “The Leftovers” below, it also features new essays on “The Straight Story,” “The Meyerowitz Stories,” “The Souvenir,” “In a Lonely Place,” “Big Fan,” “Philomena,” “MFA,” and “Saint Maud.” The original artwork above is by…
Nancy Dawson, my beloved wife of three years and friend for over 30, died a year ago today. April 27, 2020. She had just turned 53. She died of cancer. Nancy told me to say that. She wasn’t big on euphemisms. Nancy’s time of death was listed as 5:53 pm. Fourteen years earlier, Nancy’s only sister and…
In 1579, a Black slave arrived in Japan with an Italian Jesuit missionary. Awestruck by his black skin, daimyō Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese feudal lord, acquired him as a servant under the belief ink covered his body. The two formed a quick bond, and Nobunaga bestowed the name “Yasuke” to him. Yasuke rose from servant…
We recently published a lengthy interview with one of Roger Ebert’s favorite filmmakers, his friend Gregory Nava. In light of what would have been Selena’s 50th birthday, Nava spoke about the making of “Selena,” as well as his work on “Mi Familia” and representation in general. Before that conversation got underway, Nava spoke to interviewer…
Matt writes: History was made during last night’s Oscar telecast when “Nomadland” filmmaker Chloé Zhao became the first Asian woman, the first woman of color and the second woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director. The film also won Best Picture and a third Best Actress Oscar for Frances McDormand, who became…
After the most drawn-out Oscar season ever, the show finally went on. The scaled-down pandemic edition of the 93rd Academy Awards proved to be an emotional affair despite the need for such safety measures as multiple Covid tests and social distancing. The usual glitz and glitter were slightly dimmed while the red carpet was a six-feet-apart affair, with…
