“The Woman King” continues its reign. Deadline reports that Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic tops the African American Film Critics Association’s (AAFCA) annual list of the top 10 films of the year. Led by Viola Davis, the blockbuster tells the story of an all-female army of warriors.
Two other films directed by women made the cut. Joining “The Woman King” are Chinonye Chukwu’s “Till,” a biopic of educator and activist Mamie Till-Bradley, whose son, Emmett Till, was lynched, and Lila Neugebauer’s “Causeway,” a portrait of a friendship between a war vet and a mechanic, both of whom are dealing with trauma.
“The best films of this year prove that diverse stories – the true and the fantastical – are not only important to the culture but are equally important to the movie-making business,” said AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “Black films which make an impact on our minds and hearts are also making a sizable impact at the box office. Our top film, ‘The Woman King’ bridges the gap between telling important, heartfelt stories, and providing an entertaining experience for movie-going audiences. These true tales of black empowerment and accomplishment, such as ‘Emancipation,’ ‘Devotion,’ and ‘Sidney,’ as well as fantastical tales such as ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ and ‘Wendell & Wild’ invite us to experience underappreciated pieces of history along with our own imaginings.”
Check out the complete list on Deadline. AAFCA will host a celebration in LA March 1.
