Tyler Perry Says He Handled ‘For Colored Girls’ With Sensitivity
Seems Tyler Perry had enough of “Internet chatter” and critics doubting his ability to properly translate Ntozake Shange’s celebrated choreopoem “For Colored Girls” onto the big screen. The writer and director took to the Web to write a letter assuring fans of the acclaimed play that he treated it with “sensitivity.”
Perry says, “Believe me, I know that this is sensitive material and I handled it that way.” The “Madea” star says if you don’t believe him, see the film for yourself when it hits theaters November 5th.
The letter is half “For Colored Girls” promo, and half self-induced horn tooting. Perry continues, “Never in the history of a feature film has there been an ensemble of this many Black women. That alone is worth celebrating.”
Check out the letter for yourself. Let us know your thoughts!
We are only a little more than 3 weeks out from FOR COLORED GIRLS, which
opens on November 5th. Wow, time is flying! I wanted to talk to you for
just a second about this film. There has been a lot of Internet chatter
about me doing this film. I’ve heard everything from, “I’m glad he’s doing
it!”, to “How dare he touch this!”. If you don’t believe me see
for yourself on November 5th.
If you know anything about the book or play, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE
CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, which is what my film is
based on, then you know that it is one of the most powerful literary works
of this century. But, if you know it, you are also thinking like I was,
“How can I make this into a movie?”
After reading the play a thousand times and listening to these poems a
million times, it hit me. There was only one way to approach it. So what
I did was, I put these characters in the situations around the poems, so
that they could speak the dialogue of the book without it sounding like a
poem. And I have to tell you, I wasn’t sure that it could be done. But,
after listening to Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington, Macy
Gray, Kimberly Elise, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg, Loretta Devine,
Anika Noni Rose and Janet Jackson say these words it was awesomely
seemless.
The stories are about eight women who live in NYC and we follow them
through their lives; follow them through loving, losing, giving too much
of themselves, being hurt and betrayed, but most of all, we follow each of
these women as they find love for themselves.
This movie is powerful. It is incredible. The performances in it are
astonishing, but most of all this film will leave you lifted.
I don’t know if you know this either, but never in the history of a
feature film has there been an ensemble of this many black women. That
alone is worth celebrating. I hope you are planning to see it on November
5th.
By the way, you don’t have to be a colored girl to be able to relate to
and enjoy this movie.
8 Comments – Add Yours
Latest Articles
Most Popular This Week
Recent Comments
-
binks on
Ladies First
Agreed, this needed to be said! Such a sorry state of affairs we are in today.
-
Krishna on
Ladies First
This is the perfect article for our young ladies. I would like to comment on the below portion of your article. In my opinion, I...
-
binks on
If These Are Our New Role Models, We’re In Serious Trouble
Who still takes Vibe seriously? To be honest I don’t know too many people if any that reads Vibe. But if this is the best they can do...
-
iQgraphics on
If These Are Our New Role Models, We’re In Serious Trouble
Huh, what... oh, you must have meant Escalade.
Received the latest “me myself and I” email from Tyler Perry and yes it did start tongues to wagging again. One can hope that TP having the best at his disposal when working on this project, that he was able to take his craft to a higher level. The email was somewhat reassuring until the last line “By the way, you don’t have to be a colored girl to be able to relate to and enjoy this movie.” That was not needed. Colored girls support everybody and everybody should support us. TP is drenching in a desire for crossover. Going after a general audience is fine. But is it me or does it feel like right now colored girls are at the party and keeping it going and he’s starring at the door. Colored girls will get him to the oscars this year no doubt, but are we waiting for the diss?
Often wonder what keeps up looking at TP with a side eye? If Tyler Perry Is Wrong, How Come We Can’t Get Right? http://twt.mx/RacB
I don’t believe the letter was self-induced horn tooting. I believe he was praising the body of work itself and the performances of the cast. TP is generally a humble person – although often misunderstood.
I am nervous about this movie because TP had his hand in it. ‘For Colored Girls’ should not be treated like it is even in the same hemisphere as ‘Why Did I Get Married,’ and ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman.’
I will give him the benefit of doubt and wait to see it before I give all of my two cents. I just hope he doesn’t pull an Oprah and screw it up like she did ‘Beloved.’ I still can’t get over that!
Oh my goodness please don’t mentioned Beloved. Not a favorite at all. You know the actress from Beloved is in for colored girls. Her part in the preview just does something too me. I’m concerned too with TP talking about how exhausted he is. Does that mean that he was too tired to do his best in editing the movie. I wonder if they are testing the movie. Somebody has to have seen it by now besides the cast.
we’ll see.
Tyler, May God continue to bless you as you take some time to rest from the exhaustion and working so hard. We’re so honored and thankful for all your gifts, talents and your love for the arts. I can’t wait to see for colored girls only…..it’s easy for my entire family to support your body of work. It’s all good. You’re doing so many outstanding films, plays and art that imitates true life for so many of us around to world enjoy and learn wisdom from some of the real life experiences that directly impact our lives. For over 40 years!! I’ve always wanted to see For colored girls….and was too busy working or in college, etc. I remember clearly not long ago when there were no African American film makers, producers nor were there any movies about the lives of African Americans. It is only now that I can enjoy these movies and can see movies beautiful women of color. I pray for the day when African Americans will be much more honest and willing to face the truth about the myriad of serious issues that directly adversely impact our lives, families, health, etc. It is only then can we seriously began the journey to healing our families, communities, ourselves and enjoy a better quality of life. Tyler Perry PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. Let your haters be your motivators. In fact, I can’t wait until you do a life biography project on your own life and tell us how we can heal because many of us can relate.
amust see I saw the play on broadway years ago, and loved it glad to see TP bringing it to the big screen and to see my some of my favorite actors loretta devine , terry washington getting roles , and telling our stories , which is well over do grab a few of your sistahs and make a date nov 5th and go see for colored girls
To the most honorable, Mr.Tyler Perry: Not only is the movie phenomenal, it is so rich, so substantive. We’re going to see it again & again. We love the truth;it’s life education; the messages,the poems,acting, cast,etc..Tyler & For Colored Girls Cast, play writer must be the recipient of the most highest awards in EVERY category!! Most of all, millions have so many similar life experiences & can relate but don’t have the answers nor know how to heal from sooo!! many years & layers of pain. Tyler, we honor you for telling your own life story while being so transparent on The Oprah Show. The world is proud of you for bringing forward your truth so that many millions of men & boys can openly discuss their experiences, seek help, stop the cycle of abusing others & prayerfully began their own journey to healing. May you lay the foundation for millions of abuse survivors to heal. Tyler, please check Regal24Movie
IT’S BECOME APPARENT REGAL 24 CIINEMAS @ SHALLOWFORD REPEATEDLY CONSISTENTLY REFUSE TO PROVIDE AFRICAN AMERICAN ALL CAST FEMALE MOVIES ENOUGH TIME SLOTS SPECIFICALLY ON BIG OPENING WEEKENDS.
One more extremely important fact: Regal 24 Cinemas@Shallowford Rd.Atlanta,GA ONLY had 3 time slots to show For Colored Girls..during the opening weekend!! while AMC Southlake 24 Movie theater showed the move approx.20 various time slots the opening weekend. Never will we go to Regal 24 theaters again. Regal 24 @ Shallowford did pulled the same stunt the opening weekend of Dream Girls.
Tyler, I hope you buy out the Regal24Shallowford theaters & own your own cable,TV broadcasting stations to compete with COMCAST