The new movie, Belle. I never know how much I missed her, until I met her for myself.

As a movie lover, there are few movies that really shake me. Many films are “good” they make you laugh, cry, make you angry, but occasionally you see one that makes you think, want to know more and appreciate both a great story, and the true art of film making. This is one of those films.

Based on a true story, this movie was inspired by this picture of  Dido Elizabeth Belle.

This movie is a coming-of-age story set in a tumultuous time in history. As questions about the morality and the economics of the slave trade seemed to be front and center, especially while the decision about the slave ship Zong hangs in the balance. With the romance and intrigue of movies like Pride and Prejudice and the drama, struggle and intensity of Amistad, Belle is breathe of fresh air.

In the movie, we are introduced to little known woman, Dido Elizabeth Belle. She is the child of an African slave and a captain in the British Admiralty, Sir John Lindsay. Sir John Lindsay, refuses to leave the child he loves without the rights and privileges befitting a child of his family line, so he takes her to her great uncle’s house to be raised by his family. Although, Dido was given privileges that very few women of her time receive she must navigate life as a mixed child in an era where many loathe her existence and where she must carve out her own place in society. At the same time, Dido watches as her Great Uncle, Lord Chief Justice of England must make a decision that doesn’t just touch her life, but that ultimately will change the course of history in their country.

Belle, takes you on a wild ride as you understand the complexities of the society that Belle lives in, and you watch her navigate with grace and frustration the limitations that her color and the society she lives in, put in her wake.

Director Amma Asante, and the actors in this movie bring to life the complexities of the time with such beauty and eloquence, while never leaving you without something to ponder and consider. For 105 minutes, we travel with them experiencing the emotions and the intensity that the characters are faced with as they deal with their own challenges and struggles.
At the end of the screening of this movie we had a very special treat, the director came in to share her experiences, which was as powerful and moving as seeing the movie itself.

Here is a small soundbite of her question and answer session with the audience.

Today’s Tweetable..[tweet “We must tell the world who we are, not the other way around”]

Although I was totally captivated by the trailer, after seeing the movie for myself I am happy that I didn’t let a movie like this go by without seeing it on the big screen. I could not have imagined how great the Belle experience would be for me or my 16 year old daughter (I think she loved it more than I did). Who could of imagined there was such a powerful and intriguing story waiting to be told behind that beautiful portrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle.

If you want to read more about Belle check out the book [AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B00D185ZPS”]
I hope you will take the time to see the movie, I hope that you will share it with your friends and family. It was not only thought provoking, well done it was definitely worth the price of admission.

Please check out the article, as well on What you can learn from Scandal.