Earlier this week, 21st Century Fox and 20th Century Fox Film hosted an advance screening of the “The Hate U Give” at National Geographic’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. More than 300 people attended, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA); Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), who represents Atlanta where the movie was filmed; and Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA), who serves as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Following the screening, Reps. Johnson and Richmond shared brief remarks. Both praised the film for advancing crucial conversations around race, family, identity, community activism and social justice.
“I took so much from this film. Each one of us must remember Starr when we are called upon to do the right thing, even when it may not be popular. If we all do that, we can really make the world a better place,” said Rep. Johnson.
Rep. Richmond added: “You can’t be what you can’t see. And so for our children to be able to go to the movies and see young, positive people who, like them, deal with adversity, deal with a world that’s not fair, and overcome that is an important and powerful story… I represent the district of Alton Sterling and his family. These are not easy topics. These are not easy times. This film captures that, and I believe it can help us continue a productive conversation that leads to healing.”
The audience then enjoyed a conversation with the film’s director George Tillman Jr., lead actress Amandla Stenberg, and musical artist Bobby Sessions, which was moderated by FOX 5 DC morning anchor Maureen Umeh.
In limited release on Oct. 5 and nationwide on Oct. 19, “The Hate U Give,” based on the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas, is the story of a young girl named Starr, who is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives and the rich, mostly white, prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressures from all sides of the community, she must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.
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