Deep within the coronary heart of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri a dream is slowly being realized within the confines of the town’s historic Boone Theater. It’s the Black Film Corridor of Fame, which, when accomplished, will goal to inform the colourful and huge historical past of Black cinema and moviemaking via the artifacts and tales of the individuals who lived it.
The Corridor of Fame’s founder, Shawn Edwards, together with its co-owner, profitable businessman Tucker Lott, are working diligently to complete the mission that might nearly be described as a lifetime within the making. Edwards, for his half, is a journalist and tv/movie producer, who, for the final 25 years has served as movie critic for Fox 4 Information in Kansas Metropolis. He’s additionally a co-founder of the African American Movie Critics Affiliation (AAFCA) and is serving his second time period on the Board of the Critics Selection Affiliation (CCA) the place he created and govt produces the “Celebration of Black Cinema and Tv” award present.
It ought to suffice to say that Edwards is aware of the enormity of the duty he has, not simply in finishing the Corridor of Fame—which is already superior in its development—but in addition in making an attempt to inform the story of Black cinema. Fortunately, he’s undaunted.
Edwards spoke with RogerEbert.com over Zoom in regards to the Corridor of Fame’s timeline, the seek for artifacts, and the assist it has acquired to date.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
The place did the idea for the Black Film Corridor of Fame originate?
Properly, every part wants an origin story. This one began again within the early-2000s and it’s been swirling in my head ever since. I’m a fan of Black cinema as a result of I grew up on Black cinema. I used to be lucky. I had dad and mom who launched me to Black cinema at a extremely younger age by bodily taking me to the movie show to see Black films, like “Tremendous Fly,” “Shaft,” “Black Caesar,” “Claudine,” and “Sounder,” every time attainable. It was only a pure a part of my moviegoing expertise. These photos are highly effective.There’s a purpose why film theaters have been created. You go into this darkish room and also you’re sitting there with all these different folks and there’s this massive display and there’s simply one thing very magical about that have.
Rising up, I knew I used to be Black. I had dad and mom that instilled that identification in me. My grandparents in Kansas Metropolis have been very pro-Black. My grandparents in Princeton, New Jersey, the place my mom was from, have been tremendous pro-black. One of many first novels my grandfather gave me in New Jersey to learn was Roots (laughs) earlier than the TV miniseries. So, I’ve at all times had a connection to Blackness, however I additionally love films and the method of filmmaking. That love has stayed with me as my profession has advanced as a journalist after which ultimately into movie criticism.
So, this concept of celebrating Black cinema and instructing different folks about Black cinema actually caught with me as a result of I’d have conversations with so many individuals that didn’t know in regards to the vastness of Black cinema or that Black cinema could be traced all the way in which again to the early 1900s. So I’m like, man, I’ve obtained to give you one thing that explains and teaches folks that Black cinema has at all times been a factor.
What’s the journey been like to tug collectively sources to make this dream a actuality?
It’s a battle. There couldn’t presumably be a worse time, most likely within the historical past of recent America because it pertains to the US, to attempt to convey one thing on-line that’s referred to as the Black Film Corridor of Fame. We picked the completely, positively worst time ever, significantly because it pertains to fundraising (laughs).
There’s really a bullseye on Blackness proper now. We’re at a time when there’s this form of calculated deescalation of Blackness, of Black contributions, and of Black historical past. So, we’re preventing in opposition to that massive tsunami to get this factor finished.
Happily for us, the renovation a part of the mission was all funded years in the past as a result of we saved a 100-year-old movie show, the Boone Theater, which is positioned within the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. The constructing sat vacant for many years. The final time there was something occurring in that constructing was within the mid-70s. It’s been empty since then, which is a nightmare if you’re doing a renovation mission in a constructing the place there’s been no life for nearly 50 years. However we saved the constructing and we obtained the funding for the development years in the past. That half is okay. The battle has been elevating the extra cash to breathe life into that constructing so you may really see what it’s going to be when it really turns into the Black Film Corridor of Fame, just like the movie show element and all the opposite parts that may add additional worth to the theater. However we combat that combat every single day. We are literally in the course of our fundraising marketing campaign, and though it’s not going as shortly as we want it to be, it’s nonetheless inching ahead.
What has the connection been like between the museum and Kansas Metropolis, whether or not on a municipal stage or a neighborhood stage?
On a neighborhood stage, there’s a variety of pleasure and anticipation as a result of it’s positioned in an space that’s been ravenous to grow to be what it needs to be. The 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District again within the day was the hub of every part Black in Kansas Metropolis, and most issues that Kansas Metropolis is understood for nationally and internationally stem from Blackness. A variety of occasions when folks consider Kansas Metropolis, they consider jazz, and Charlie Parker, Lester Younger, Mary Lou Williams, and Rely Basie. I imply, jazz is Black music. These figures unfold the sound of bebop all over the world. We even have the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is about far more than simply sports activities. One other factor that’s related to Kansas Metropolis that’s additionally rooted in Backness is barbecue. I do know folks from Texas, North Carolina, and Memphis, Tennessee will argue who has the very best barbecue, however Kansas Metropolis’s at all times thrown within the combine if you speak about barbecue.
So, every part that Kansas Metropolis’s identified for is rooted in Blackness and befell within the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. Once we stated we have been bringing the Black Film Corridor of Fame on-line on the Boone Theater, that we have been renovating it, folks obtained excited as a result of a variety of Black cinema can also be rooted in Kansas Metropolis. Oscar Micheaux traveled via Kansas Metropolis; Hattie McDaniel is from proper down the road in Wichita; Gordon Parks is from Fort Scott, Kansas; Kevin Wilmont, who simply received an Oscar, is from the world; Janelle Monáe and Don Cheadle are additionally from the world. The neighborhood is aware of that historical past they usually’re totally on board.
And to a sure extent, so is the town relating to historic tax credit and people kinds of issues that you simply want with the intention to protect as a lot of the integrity of the constructing as you presumably can. Although the constructing fell somewhat bit delayed, we thought it will’ve been accomplished by now, we didn’t wish to waste Black Historical past month this 12 months, so we did a brief exhibit on the Black Archives of Mid-America to offer folks a glimpse of what the Black Film Corridor of Fame will seem like as soon as every part is accomplished.
That turned a variety of heads towards a constructive path as a result of folks started to get what we have been doing. That’s helped out quite a bit. I believe the joy will swell much more as soon as every part is finished and folks can stroll in and see the reveals and see the artifacts and the movie sequence that we are able to do in a constructing the place previous Black films have been proven. We simply wish to get it finished and get folks excited and to show those that aren’t on board unsuitable.
What has the response from Hollywood been like, significantly Black creatives? Has there been assistance on that entrance as effectively?
It’s getting there. Lots of people have wished to know why it’s going to be in Kansas Metropolis. (laughs) I imply, lots of people aren’t that conversant in Kansas Metropolis. I perceive that as effectively. I do assume Hollywood will come on board in a serious manner when it’s completed. I simply assume completion is the aim. As a result of I believe as soon as it’s accomplished, then you’ll convert the non-believers and folks will purchase in much more. And, you realize, Hollywood operates with its personal language and its personal algorithm, particularly relating to cash. I do know all people thinks that each actor and each director is loaded. However it’s not that straightforward.
What has the method been like for procuring objects for curation for the museum?
I’ve actually turned myself right into a door-to-door salesman. That’s the place the interplay with Hollywood’s working. I’ve been lucky sufficient to construct these relationships via the Critics Selection Affiliation and producing the celebration of Black Cinema, and simply touring backwards and forwards and doing interviews or going to movie festivals the place, over time folks begin to have some familiarity with you.
So, usually, in sure conditions, I’ve tried to slide the Corridor of Fame into conversations. Blair Underwood and I have been having an informal dialog the place I used to be like: Man, one in every of my all time favourite films was Crush Groove. I used to like that jacket you have been sporting. No matter occurred to that? He’s like: Oh, it’s at residence in my closet. I informed him that we would want that, not perpetually, however we would want that. I used to be with Malcolm Lee, who I used to be extra candid with as a result of I’ve really talked to him in regards to the mission earlier than, and he provided some stuff. After which there are people who find themselves tougher, like Spike Lee, who’s obtained a treasure trove of stuff, however he needs to promote every part. It’s humorous, man. I might nearly write a e-book about these items (laughs)
As an example, once they got here out with the film “Sarah’s Oil,” you realize, Sarah Rector’s mansion continues to be standing. I talked with the movie’s director. I informed him in regards to the Black Film Corridor of Fame and the way it’d be actually cool if we might get one of many attire the actress wore within the film for show. He informed me I needed to speak with the costume designer about that.
I talked to the costume designer on the telephone and he informed me it’s a part of his private assortment, which is in storage. However can we have now it for perhaps like six months? He’s like: I don’t know. I reply: What do you imply you don’t know? It’s in storage. Individuals would like to see that. It’s a film that’s straight tied to Kansas Metropolis about probably the most well-known Black girls who ever lived in Kansas Metropolis. He shot me again with eager to see the Corridor of Fall when it’s completed. However, as you realize, if he gave us that costume and we announce we have now the costume it will get folks excited and it might assist with fundraising.
So, it’s a journey. However I believe that’s a part of it. I’ve by no means been a salesman. There’s been nothing in my profession the place I’ve had any sort of job that was remotely near promoting. However now that I’m this door-to-door salesperson, it’s bizarre as a result of the rejection is fierce.
I’m certain folks will likely be questioning this as they’re studying, however what’s the standards for the Black Film Corridor of Fame?
I’ll be the primary to confess, it’s difficult. However mainly the primary ingredient is that it’s a narrative in regards to the Black expertise, whether or not it’s in America, the UK, Nigeria, France, Australia, South Africa, Morocco, wherever. Secondly, if it’s a movie that’s directed by somebody who’s Black. That may get somewhat difficult as a result of there are a variety of Black administrators who don’t essentially direct films which can be simply in regards to the Black expertise. However we do wish to acknowledge what they do behind the digital camera too. Thirdly, it needs to be a film that primarily has a Black particular person or Black individuals within the lead. That will get somewhat difficult too. A film like “Beverly Hills Cop,” you may debate backwards and forwards. Is “Beverly Hills Cop” a Black film? For those who took Eddie Murphy out of “Beverly Hills Cop” and also you went with their authentic casting selection, Sylvester Stallone, does it nonetheless have the identical aesthetic? I don’t assume so.
When do you anticipate to have the corridor of fame completed by?
The development of the constructing, which is definitely choosing again up, needs to be completed someday round April or Might of this 12 months. After which realistically, I want to have every part completed by February 2027 so we are able to have our inaugural gala the place you may stroll and see what the Black Film Corridor of Fame is all about, the place we have now every part in place, functioning, curated, and correctly displayed. February 2027 would make me one of many happiest folks on the planet.
Extra details about the Black Film Corridor of Fame could be discovered right here.