Oprah Winfrey-produced movie “Selma” film, which depicts events surrounding the 1965 civil rights protests in the Alabama city and efforts made by Martin Luther King, whose role was played by David Oyelowo, and other civil rights leaders to engage in a peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama was narrated. The movie reportedly began screening for free, courtesy of Paramount Pictures at the Selma Walton Theater beginning January 9th and running through the entire month.
The timing of release of the movie has been described as a divine one because it clearly shows that a number of issues portrayed in the movie are still very relevant in today’s America. While some residents in Selma view the film as an opportunity to attract attention to the area which has approximately 20,000 people, about 80 percent of whom are black with more than 40 percent of whom living in poverty, according to census figures, others fear it may bring down the city’s image.
U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, a black Democrat and Selma native was reported to have said the film is both an opportunity for the town to attract attention and business and to memorialize the role the town played in the civil rights struggle.
PHOT CREDIT: ATSUSHI NISHIJIMA
