By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
For those of us who have never visited the Potter’s House in Dallas, or any of the previous MegaFest events, it was delightful to see how well run the massive event was managed. More impressive was the quality of guests and programming featured at not only the main event, but also the International Faith & Family Film Festival held in conjunction with MegaFest.
Two of the biggest names in African American film spoke at the film festival Ms. Olive Pope herself, Kerry Washington; and the beautiful
Oscar and Grammy winner herself Jennifer Hudson. Probably the other hottest name in film for this Oscar season is THE Ms. Oprah Winfrey, she was not at the festival but MegaFest guests enjoyed a taping of her Life Class with Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Bishop Jakes is clearly focused on raising the level of quality for Christian entertainment. Not only did his organization kick off this film festival but also the Bishop is investing his “talents” with a new talk show and the production of a major motion picture on the life of Winnie Mandela starring Hudson.
During the festival a full episode was shown of Bishop TD Jakes Presents Mind, Body & Soul featuring R&B crooners Keith Sweat and Luke James, along with actors Lamman Rucker (Meet the Browns) and Laz Alonso (This Christmas).
When interviewed before the screening started, Bishop Jakes was asked to share something guests likely did not know about him. He shared, he did not learn to swim until he was 40. When he asked the host if he could swim, the young man admitted he could not, leading Bishop Jakes to ask, “If God wanted to destroy African Americans, He would send a flood again!” After the laughter subsided, always teaching, he shared the greatest lesson he learned from swimming is the need to relax. “If you don’t relax, you can’t float.” The impressive show will kick off on BET on Oct. 6. http://www.bet.com/shows/td-jakes-mind-body-and-soul.html
On the Red Carpet Jennifer Hudson shared how much she enjoyed making the film Winnie Mandela, which opens this Friday in Dallas and other select cities. Working on the project helped her, “To appreciate my freedom even more.” She truly enjoyed being in Africa and working with the children who helped her maintain her accent. In fact, she became so comfortable with her accent that when she returned to America, her first project was a commercial for Weight Watchers. While filming, they stopped and asked her to drop the accent; she was surprised to discover she was still using it.
It is unfortunate that they are portraying Winnie by casting Jennifer Hudson. There are plenty of Africans who can do a better job and they have the scars of Winnie’s experiences. I am not sure Jennifer can capture the ubuntu and challenges of apartheid. Why can’t African actors and actresses catch a break? They are still treated as…(let’s not get into that now).
Lillian,
Interesting comments, I can appreciate your concern. I saw the movie later that afternoon and Jennifer does a good job, but I will admit there was little emotional connection to what is a powerful story. I wondered if perhaps it was because it was not “our” story that we just felt intrigued but not moved.