With the recent success of several African American led dramas it is breaking stereotypes. that many executives are saying, ten years ago this have would never have happened.
Recently Weinstein Co. exec. spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, and pointed out an interesting shift in the entertainment industry.
While traditional fare such as Best Man Holiday is prospering,Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and 12 Years a Slavehave exceeded expectations by appealing to both black and white audiences. They defy the Hollywood convention (or stereotype) that black moviegoers are interested only in aspirational comedies such as Best Man Holiday or that white audiences won’t watch a film about the black experience. “A quarter of a century ago, these movies wouldn’t have crossed over to a white audience,” says Erik Lomis, distribution chief at The Weinstein Co., which released Fruitvale and The Butler (THR).
Essentially, with the box office hits such as Best Man Holiday, Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniel’s The Butler, and 12 Years a Slave it is breaking Hollywood misconceptions that African Americans only like comedies, and Caucasians are not interested in the African American experience.
Recently, Best Man Holiday, made $30.1 million dollars on the opening weekend. Further, there are three other African American led films coming soon. Black Nativity, based on the Langston Hughes play releases on Thanksgiving. Followed by, Tyler Perry’s A Madea’s Christmas, and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris. Due the recent success of these feature films expect to see changes in lead roles and more black led feature films.
