Filmmaker Blitz Bazawule discusses his upbringing in Ghana, his love for movies and hip-hop, and the influence of his grandmother's stories on his work. They also explore the visual elements in Beyoncé's 'Blackest King', adapting 'The Color Purple' into a film, and the impact of their recent film screening in Brazil.
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Quick takeaways
Blitz Bazawule combined movies, American hip-hop, and his grandmother's stories in his work as a director.
The director's visual poetry style attracted Beyoncé's attention.
Blitz found himself directing his first major studio film, the musical version of The Color Purple.
The podcast discusses the importance of storytelling, representation, and the impact of The Color Purple on audiences worldwide.
Deep dives
Main Idea 1
The journey of a creative person influenced by West African culture and hip hop music.
Main Idea 2
Exploring storytelling through music and film, with a focus on integrating Ghanaian culture into American hip hop.
Main Idea 3
The evolution of the artist's work, from music to filmmaking, and the exploration of complex emotions and visual storytelling.
Main Idea 4
The opportunity to work on high-profile projects like Black is King and The Color Purple, and the challenges and growth experienced as a filmmaker.
The Making of The Color Purple
The episode explores the process of creating the musical film adaptation of The Color Purple. The director discusses his vision for the film and how he wanted to make an original work rather than a remake. He emphasizes the importance of scale, proximity, and authenticity in bringing the story to life. The podcast also delves into the casting process and the emotional impact the film had on the audience.
The Visual and Musical Approach
The director talks about the visual and musical choices made in the film. He wanted to make the period film feel vibrant and alive by using color and incorporating diegetic music. He assembled a team of experts in choreography, production design, costume, and music to create an immersive and authentic experience for the audience.
Themes and Messages
The podcast discusses the themes of trauma, forgiveness, and community in The Color Purple. The director highlights the importance of storytelling and the journey of the characters in dealing with their traumas. He also touches on the significance of the film's representation and the impact it has on audiences worldwide.
Growing up in Ghana, director Blitz Bazawule relied on three things to transport him to other worlds: movies, American hip-hop, and his grandmother’s stories. Blitz tells Marc how he combined all three in his work as a director, how his style of visual poetry attracted the attention of Beyoncé, and how he suddenly found himself at the helm of his first major studio film, the musical version of The Color Purple.