If you haven’t heard, Ava DuVernay has a new film out based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book CASTE. DuVernay made the interesting decision to center the telling of this book’s important messages around the figure of the author herself. I can’t wait to see it.
This interview with Lawrence O’Donnell aired last night (1/25/25).
And here’s a recent New Yorker interview:
Ava DuVernay Wants to Build a New System
One notable takeaway is that DuVernay did not produce ORIGIN through standard Hollywood channels because she believes getting this movie in front audiences this year really matters.
Writing this I was reminded of a small series of collages I made featuring a magazine photo of her a while back (photo probably from Vanity Fair). There was no attempt to represent the content of her work. It was more a visual celebration of the lushness of creativity and also the beauty of her curves. December 2022.
I’ve been meaning to watch her movie Selma for a dog’s age and since I want to watch it before posting notes from our trip there, maybe today’s the day.
It’s raw and rainy here and I am inexplicably tired though, so maybe tomorrow’s the day.
In other collage news, I’ve been noodling around with more cover and title ideas for my novel.
The novel has two important scenes featuring a calico dress hanging from a live oak tree, one in which it is set on fire. I worry that being so (intentionally) similar to images of lynching that it is too triggering to even consider. What do you think?
Cover: . Powerful. I have to tell you I don’t think I understand the use of “lunching”. And what would be triggered? Is it a rape?
Duvernay: yes. I want tovwatch this tonight if I can stay awake. Thanks! I saw her interview and promptly *misfiled the importance of seeing the film. Watched “Rustin” which we loved.
I corrected lunching. I meant lynching.
Actor in Rustin is up for an Oscar I see.
Oh k let me think again.
I found the image of the hanging dress stark and quite disturbing,,,. Would it be possible to find an image of a long dress, somewhat rumpled and possibly bent a little at the waist, to signify the weight of cloth? OR perhaps a trunk or table piled with folded dresses and some of them slipping off the table due to the weight?
Well this is what I needed to hear. I didn’t mention I’m considering “Calico Burning” as a title but I want the cover to draw a reader in not put them off.
Yes, agreed. The image is an arresting and beautiful art piece that I think effectively strikes fear into my heart.
Unrelated: (yet) This reminds me of the review by Dwight Garner (of You Dreamed of Empires) that struck me as having a masterful lead-in paragraph. For the first time in my life, I fell in love with the reviewer’s writing and am curious about their books. He mentions the use of ” beach towel colors” of New Fiction covers – there, that’s what touches on the topic of book covers.
xo
I can’t stand all the flat pastels on book covers. Not a trend I get, for sure.
Just read the review. Here’s what Garner says about those covers: “This generic look has come to promise a) bright settings and b) young characters out to conquer racial and sexual threats as they perceive them. This would be excellent were it not for, as often as not, c) writing in which one is instructed how to feel at almost every moment.”
The review made me want to read the book too. The author was once married to Valerie Luiselli who wrote LOST CHILDREN ARCHIVE, which is a book I bought and read instead of AMERICAN DIRT during that controversy.
Garner’s book on eating and reading sounds worthwhile. Did you find that in your travels?
In my “travels” through what I can bear to read of the NYT weekend edition, as I ice my wrist. Eating and reading 🙂
I may have to get that book, perhaps audio. Trying to finish the many books I have stacked, partially read. Maybe audio will be a good break from page turning.
Watched “Oppenheimer” last night. Now I want to read “American Prometheus”.
I’ll be climbing the walls soon…
but also gaining some appreciation for those who are trapped in bodies that aren’t cooperating. And, I have tons of help, 98% from my “D”, so… how do people manage who have no one living with them… I am grateful,, more and more grateful.
How does your brother keep his sanity?
Ken read that book but we haven’t seen the film yet.
Hope the wrist is healing. My brother has constant help. And it’s not easy, even with that