Exclusive: Executive producers Abby Ginzberg (Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power) and Angela Tucker (Belly of the Beast) are in production on a documentary series about influential female politicians titled She Dared to Dream.
The first film in the series focuses on Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat representing Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District, who has given the film team access to her life and work both in Boston and Washington D.C.
From a woman-led business owner in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood to the Boston Latin Academy to a historic gathering of female lawmakers that included Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pressley and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, She Dared to Dream reveals Pressley’s vision, challenges and aspirations as a trailblazer in American politics. Barbara Lee, who was recently featured in the Netflix film Shirley, a narrative feature about her mentor Shirley Chisholm starring Regina King, serves as creative consultant on the docuseries.
The first film in the series focuses on Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat representing Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District, who has given the film team access to her life and work both in Boston and Washington D.C.
From a woman-led business owner in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood to the Boston Latin Academy to a historic gathering of female lawmakers that included Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pressley and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, She Dared to Dream reveals Pressley’s vision, challenges and aspirations as a trailblazer in American politics. Barbara Lee, who was recently featured in the Netflix film Shirley, a narrative feature about her mentor Shirley Chisholm starring Regina King, serves as creative consultant on the docuseries.
- 4/4/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf tells his story — both on and off the court — in the Showtime documentary “Stand,” with the guidance of director Joslyn Rose Lyons.
The documentary examines how Abdul-Rauf’s standout playing career was derailed by controversy over his decision not to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” But it also aims to capture more than just the protest — which came some 20 years before NFL star Colin Kaepernick caught flack for kneeling on the sidelines — and instead focuses on the finer points of Abdul-Rauf’s life before and after professional basketball, revealing how he found himself taking a stand for his beliefs.
“I don’t know if this was the right time, only God knows,” Abdul-Rauf tells Variety, when asked why he decided to share his story now. “However, over the years I’ve read more, I’ve met a wide array of people, so much has changed,...
The documentary examines how Abdul-Rauf’s standout playing career was derailed by controversy over his decision not to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” But it also aims to capture more than just the protest — which came some 20 years before NFL star Colin Kaepernick caught flack for kneeling on the sidelines — and instead focuses on the finer points of Abdul-Rauf’s life before and after professional basketball, revealing how he found himself taking a stand for his beliefs.
“I don’t know if this was the right time, only God knows,” Abdul-Rauf tells Variety, when asked why he decided to share his story now. “However, over the years I’ve read more, I’ve met a wide array of people, so much has changed,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Showtime Sports Documentary Films is set to release a documentary feature based on the life of basketball star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, entitled “Stand.” The documentary will premiere in early 2023.
Directed by Joslyn Rose Lyons, “Stand” explores the personal and professional struggles of Abdul-Rauf, from being bullied as a child due to his Tourette’s syndrome to becoming a target of hate speech and Islamophobia during his basketball career. The documentary film features exclusive interviews with several basketball and entertainment stars including Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Mahershala Ali and Ice Cube.
“It is an honor to be collaborating with Showtime and the production team and working with our director, Joslyn Rose Lyons,” Abdul-Rauf said in a statement. “Joslyn has brought a stellar, brilliant vision to this film. My hope is that my story will help heal and bring new perspective to the world.”
The film marks Lyons’ feature-length directorial debut.
Directed by Joslyn Rose Lyons, “Stand” explores the personal and professional struggles of Abdul-Rauf, from being bullied as a child due to his Tourette’s syndrome to becoming a target of hate speech and Islamophobia during his basketball career. The documentary film features exclusive interviews with several basketball and entertainment stars including Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Mahershala Ali and Ice Cube.
“It is an honor to be collaborating with Showtime and the production team and working with our director, Joslyn Rose Lyons,” Abdul-Rauf said in a statement. “Joslyn has brought a stellar, brilliant vision to this film. My hope is that my story will help heal and bring new perspective to the world.”
The film marks Lyons’ feature-length directorial debut.
- 8/25/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Hill Harper and J. Alphonse Nicholson have signed to star in Shadowbox, a new film marking the directorial debut of Joslyn Rose Lyons.
Written by Rose Lyons, Shadowbox is described as a “sweeping fable, employing magical realism to chronicle a city threatened by gentrification and at risk of losing its dreams.” Harper and Nicholson will also executive produce. Harper and Nicholson recently completed shooting the short “Butterfly Boxing” that was directed and written by Rose Lyons. Filmed in Oakland, the short is being used as a development tool for the feature film.
“I’m honored to have Hill Harper and J. Alphonse Nicholson star and executive produce my directorial debut film,” Rose Lyons said. “They are amazing talent, and have been an inspiration on my journey, so to be able to officially work with them is an honor.”
For more than a decade, Lyons has directed and produced content for outlets like Starz,...
Written by Rose Lyons, Shadowbox is described as a “sweeping fable, employing magical realism to chronicle a city threatened by gentrification and at risk of losing its dreams.” Harper and Nicholson will also executive produce. Harper and Nicholson recently completed shooting the short “Butterfly Boxing” that was directed and written by Rose Lyons. Filmed in Oakland, the short is being used as a development tool for the feature film.
“I’m honored to have Hill Harper and J. Alphonse Nicholson star and executive produce my directorial debut film,” Rose Lyons said. “They are amazing talent, and have been an inspiration on my journey, so to be able to officially work with them is an honor.”
For more than a decade, Lyons has directed and produced content for outlets like Starz,...
- 4/1/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: 1091 Pictures is partnering with NBA champ Matt Barnes and filmmaker Joslyn Rose Lyons to take a deeper dive into the lives of athletes after their pro careers.
(R)evolution is an eight-parter that “profiles the evolution of the athlete, exploring their revolutionary work beyond sports,” the company explains. The first episode will chronicle Barnes’ journey from NBA “bad boy” to becoming an entrepreneur and community activist. The episode will feature interviews with Barnes’ father and friends, including Stephen Jackson and Ice Cube.
“It’s important to tell athletes’ stories from our perspective,” say Barnes. “Being in the NBA for 14 years taught me first hand why it’s so necessary for us to control our narrative.”
“As storytellers, we must be courageous enough to shine a light on the areas of our lives that are often left unseen,” adds Lyons, who most recently served as a producer on Speaking Truth to Power,...
(R)evolution is an eight-parter that “profiles the evolution of the athlete, exploring their revolutionary work beyond sports,” the company explains. The first episode will chronicle Barnes’ journey from NBA “bad boy” to becoming an entrepreneur and community activist. The episode will feature interviews with Barnes’ father and friends, including Stephen Jackson and Ice Cube.
“It’s important to tell athletes’ stories from our perspective,” say Barnes. “Being in the NBA for 14 years taught me first hand why it’s so necessary for us to control our narrative.”
“As storytellers, we must be courageous enough to shine a light on the areas of our lives that are often left unseen,” adds Lyons, who most recently served as a producer on Speaking Truth to Power,...
- 3/25/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
February is Black History Month, and new content celebrating Black stories across television and film is on its way.
Over the course of Black History Month, many channels will premiere nonfiction specials and programming that spotlight Black leaders in politics, entertainment and social justice. PBS will premiere specials about civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer and singer Marian Anderson, while Starz will premiere a feature length documentary on Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
In addition, the Smithsonian Channel will debut a four-part miniseries tracing the origins exploring the legacy of slavery around the world. Aside from new documentaries and docuseries, streaming channels like Tubi will offer hundreds of hours of Black Cinema to watch, as well as original fiction programming.
Check out the full list of Black History Month programming below. (This list will be updated as more titles are announced).
“Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power” — This feature-length documentary follows the career of congresswoman Barbara Lee,...
Over the course of Black History Month, many channels will premiere nonfiction specials and programming that spotlight Black leaders in politics, entertainment and social justice. PBS will premiere specials about civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer and singer Marian Anderson, while Starz will premiere a feature length documentary on Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
In addition, the Smithsonian Channel will debut a four-part miniseries tracing the origins exploring the legacy of slavery around the world. Aside from new documentaries and docuseries, streaming channels like Tubi will offer hundreds of hours of Black Cinema to watch, as well as original fiction programming.
Check out the full list of Black History Month programming below. (This list will be updated as more titles are announced).
“Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power” — This feature-length documentary follows the career of congresswoman Barbara Lee,...
- 1/31/2022
- by Wilson Chapman, Selome Hailu, Sasha Urban and Wyatte Grantham-Philips
- Variety Film + TV
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