Black History Studies
in association with
The Phoenix Cinema
'Imitation of Life'
Cert: 12A
Black History Studies in association with Phoenix Cinema presents free Mother's Day screening of 'Imitation of Life' on Sunday 18th March 2012 at the Phoenix Cinema.
Imitation of Life (1959) is a legendary Hollywood melodrama about racial identity . Lora Meredith is a young widow chasing dreams of Broadway stardom while her stoic black housekeeper Annie rears Lora's daughter alongside Annie's own "lightskinned" child whose desire to "pass" as white leads her to move to the big city, abandoning values and eventually her mother. Amidst a flurry of fabulous wardrobe changes, director Douglas Sirk remarks on America's investment in racial separateness and the sacrifice of the dutiful mother. Starring Susan Kohner, Juanita Moore, Lana Turner and Sandra Dee.
This film is a remake of an earlier 1934 film and based on a novel of the same title by Fannie Hurst. Like the novel, the earlier film focuses on two single mothers, one white and one black, who join forces and become successful businesswomen, although they both suffer heartbreak caused by their daughters. Producer Ross Hunter wanted to update the story for 1959 by making the leading character an actress instead of a businesswoman, but keeping the race issue and the conflicts between the mothers and daughters. The film's treatment of race, considered daring in its day, provides a powerful view of liberal sentiments at the birth of the civil rights movement.
Imitation of Life was Universal-International's top-grossing film until the 1970s. Part of its success was that as African Americans accounted for 30% of the film-going public, Universal released the film simultaneously to white and black cinemas in the segregated South, an unheard of distribution pattern at the time. Films would usually be played out at white cinemas before being distributed to black cinemas.
Kohner and Moore received Oscar nominations for their roles and Kohner won Best Supporting Actress at the 1960 Golden Globes.
Click here to watch Meera Syal talking about why she loves this film.
BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
The film screening will take place on Sunday 18th March 2012 from 2pm to 4pm at the Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Street, East Finchley, London, N2 9PJ. Nearest Tube Station: East Finchley (Northern Line- 150 yards away).
For map and directions to the Phoenix Cinema, please click here.
The screening will start at 2pm sharp!!!
The Phoenix Cinema is one of the oldest purpose built cinema's in the UK. This year it is celebrating its centenary with various events including free screenings and free behind the scenes tours. On the day of the screening, there will be free tours of the cinema from 10.30am to 12.45pm on the hour. Booking is essential!
Tickets for this film screening are FREE! and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so don't delay. To book your place on the cinema tour and film screening, please call The Phoenix Box Office on 020 8444 6789.
These events are funded through the Phoenix Cinema by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
(Please note, photographs will be taken at this event and may be used for promotional purposes).
We would appreciate if you could forward this information to all who you believe will be interested.
We look forward to seeing you for another exciting afternoon of
Black History Studies
