Mudbound has streamed 20 million hours on Netflix
Read the article and interview with Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings here.
"Mudbound" earns four record-breaking Oscar nominations
The nominations are for Best Adapted Screenplay (Virgil Williams and Dee Rees), Best Original Song ("Mighty River" by Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, and Laura Stinson), Best Supporting Actress (Blige), and Best Achievement in Cinematography (Rachel Morrison).
This is the first time ever that a woman has been nominated for cinematography, that a black woman has been nominated in the Best Adapted category, and that an actor has been nominated for a performance in a film directed by a black woman. Additionally, Blige is the first person in Oscar history to be nominated for a performance and an original song.
The ceremony will be on Sunday, March 4. Fingers, toes, & eyes crossed for these talented folks!
"Mudbound" premiere day!
When Mudbound was optioned six years ago by producers Sally Jo and Carl Effenson, and Virgil Williams began writing the script, I hardly dared to dream it would become a reality. Today, the film is finally streaming on Netflix and playing in 17 theaters around the country. Virgil, director and co-writer Dee Rees, the cast, the crew, and the producers gave their heart and soul to make this exquisite film, and it shows in every frame. The author couldn't be prouder.
"Mudbound" to open AFI Film Festival Los Angeles
After garnering raves at the Toronto, London, Mill Valley, New Orleans, and New York Film Festivals, "Mudbound" is making its final appearance before its November 17 Netflix premiere at the AFI Fest, where it will kick off the festival. The screening will be in Hollywood at the TLC Chinese Theatre (aka Grauman's) on November 9 at 7:30 pm, and I will be in attendance!
Source: http://www.afi.com/afifest/
NPR Interview: "Sensitivity Readers"
NPR book reporter Lynn Neary, who interviewed me about Mudbound when it came out in 2008, asked me to weigh in on "sensitivity readers" who vet books written about people from other cultures for possible statements or situations that might be offensive. A needed expertise or censorship? Here's my two cents.
More foreign editions of MUDBOUND TK!
I was thrilled to learn today that Mudbound will soon add Czech, Dutch, German, Chinese Simplified, and Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil) to its list of translations. I was especially pleased about the German news, since the sequel I'm working on, Fatherlands, is set there. So far, Mudbound has been published in French, Italian, Serbian, Norwegian, and Swedish.
Netflix Buys "Mudbound" for $12.5 Million
Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson and Garrett Hedlund as Jamie McAllan, brothers-in-arms who return from WWII to face very different welcomes in Jim Crow Mississippi. Photo by Steve Dietl.
"Mudbound" Wows Sundance
Garrett Hedlund as Jamie; Director Dee Rees; Jason Mitchell as Ronsel; Rob Morgan as Hap; Mary Blige as Florence; Carey Mulligan as Laura. Not pictured: Jason Clarke as Henry & Jonathan Banks as Pappy.
"Mudbound" was THE buzz film of the Sundance Film Festival, receiving two standing ovations at its January 21st premiere at Eccles Theatre and raves from critics, including Variety, the LA Times, Buzzfeed, the Daily Beast and The Guardian, which gave it a rare five stars.