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THE MO'KELLY REPORT SPECIAL: Letter from 'Phat Girlz' Writer/Director
Just yesterday I received this note from someone I've met and sincerely respect. It really needs no other introduction other than that. It's emotion and sincerity should not be overlooked and hopefully it touches you in the same way in touched me. Not only that, hopefully it will endeavor all of us to take a closer look at what 'we' espouse to be important in the future, when it comes to supporting worthwhile cinema.
Dear Morris,
In the wake of all the negative pre-conceived notions about my film Phat Girlz by EUR readers and others who have not even seen the film, this review below (see link) brought my smile back. The reviewer Katrice Hester totally "got it" and appreciated the positive, uplifting message of the film.
I was deeply disappointed by our people's lack of support of my first film, and because of it, I now fully understand why so many films that portray us in a negative light get put out there. Because when we make something progressive and positive that promotes black love, we simply just don't support it. We neglect the promotion of our own healthy images and we are our own worse enemies.
Just like your article to your readers stated a few weeks back, Hollywood was most definitely watching what the Box Office outcome of Phat Girlz was going to be. And this is the critical challenge the few successful black Hollywood filmmakers who've made it have when trying to convince the studios that films with messages of self empowerment, self love and that show Africans and African-Americans as intelligent, educated, classy world citizens can and do make money.
The box office outcome of Phat Girlz is simply a disgrace. Many pseudo-conscious blacks have unfortunately PRE-judged it (for whatever reason or other; the marketing, the title, thinking it's just another ghetto move, etc.) and do not realize that it is actually one of the few such positive and enlightening films put out about us. And there has definitely not been one that shows Africa and Africans in such a powerful, positive, self determining image. The African male characters in Phat Girlz are portrayed as flawless and that was carefully crafted by me because I wanted to counteract the years of negative images the western media has shown them (and us) in. And I also wanted to show black men in general in a positive light because so many of our films bash brothas unfairly, and I made certain not to do that in Phat Girlz.
According to some of the readers' posts, many got the wrong impression from the marketing campaign. And if so, I understand why they may not have come out to support on opening day thinking it was going to be a substanceless comedy, but after that, positive word-of-mouth that this film was not what they thought it was should have propelled it up the Box Office charts.
I challenge any reader or critic to debate me on the merits of my film or find a flaw in how the story ultimately portrays Africans and African Americans. In the 1st act, the main character (played by Mo'Nique) is flawed and handles her issues of low self esteem in a "wrong" and sometimes "least common denominator" way - like many of us do in reality. But by the 2nd act once she evolves and is shown genuine love from an African Doctor, her whole life experience and the way she handles life's challenges is elevated to the highest level. Just like many of us, once we are educated and learn the value of our true self worth, we act from a place of intelligence rather than ignorance.
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Nnegest Likké & Jimmy Jean-Louis on the set of 'Phat Girlz'
In making my humble little 2 million dollar film that I was so blessed to be able to bring to the big screen thanks to my Producer/Financier Bobby Newmyer and Fox Searchlight, my dream was to tell an uplifting story and promote unity among blacks in the diaspora. Also it was to make a positive difference in our community, to elevate our intra and interpersonal relationships and our love lives. Afterall, how often is it that we get the opportunity to see genuine black love and romance blossom on the big screen? Or even the little screen (TV), or ANY medium for that matter?
In Phat Girlz, I set out to portray Black men, Black women, and Africans/Nigerians all in a positive light. I also set out to boost women and young girls' self esteem, and show that we are ALL beautiful no matter what size or shape we are. I am very disappointed and sad that our people did not get that. It is this same disease that killed Malcolm.
In time, I will get over it. And God willing, when a studio gives me the opportunity to make my next film, I hope the Box Office outcome will be better. I hope our people will be less quick to pre-judge and more quick to go and see for themselves before bashing a great film which they could be totally wrong about like they were in the case of Phat Girlz.
Yes Morris, our people have truly let me (and unknowingly ourselves) down. But thank God for articles like the one you put out before opening day and reviews like this one by Katrice Hester . I am also grateful for the bundles of mail I've gotted over the past couple of weeks from hurting young women saying thank you for touching their lives and making them feel like somebody special. For me, those lives that have been touched made doing Phat Girlz all worth it.
Yours Truly,
Nnegest Likké
Writer/Director
Nnegest,
I share in your frustration, disappointment and disillusionment. I can only hope that you will not be ultimately discouraged. As with any art form, it comes from the heart and must be done only with your own heart in mind. If you are clear in your heart that what you've shared with the world is both right and needed right now...you've done your job. You must leave unto the Lord the rest. Your heart was in the right place. You can provide the water and I can try to lead the horses to it ... but we both know the rest.
There are still many lessons to be learned, many stories to be told and most importantly more work to do. In the meantime, we both will keep up the good fight.
Respectfully,
Morris
For another review of Phat Girlz and its significance on and off the screen, please follow the link below.
http://www.nineronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/18/444508bdef0c5
The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The e-book "The Best of The Mo'Kelly Report" will be available in May of 2006. Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at dark.gable@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.
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