lee daniels – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

SPOTLIGHT April 2025: LISA CORTES, Film Producer, Director, Activist

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 Leslie Combemale All In: The Fight for Democracy, Cortes Filmworks, Def Jam, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, lee daniels, lisa cortes, little richard i am everything, liz garbus, Monster’s Ball, New York Film Academy, New York Women in Film and Television’s Muse Awards., precious, Shola Lynch, Yale

Lisa Cortés is the perfect example of a woman who found the less-traveled way to success, and did so not once but twice. She is an inspiration for all aspiring women in film, whether they’re working above or below the line, who believe in their talent and have a vision for themselves and their careers. She has gone from bringing new artists and music to fans around the world to completely pivoting to a new career, creating award-winning films that expose the world to subjects ‘overlooked by the mainstream’. Each new project promises another fascinating often under appreciated or understood subject. We can’t wait to follow her as she brings each one to the screen!

Reviews

THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY – Review by Liz Braun

February 27, 2021February 28, 2021 Liz Braun andra day, bio[ics, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, lee daniels, strange fruit, suzan-lori parks, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Trevante Rhodes

There was a lot of pain and conflict in Billie Holiday’s short life, all of it right there in the music. That music is the saving grace of The United States vs. Billie Holiday, a new biopic about the legendary jazz singer that stars Andra Day and is directed by Lee Daniels, with a screenplay by Suzan-Lori Parks. It’s an uneven and often melodramatic undertaking, suffering from what looks like an inability to leave anything out. The United States vs. Billie Holiday won’t tell you anything new about Billie Holiday but it functions as lovely window dressing for Andra Day’s extraordinary singing talent.

It’s an uneven and often melodramatic undertaking, suffering from what looks like an inability to leave anything out

Lists

For Valentine’s Day 2020: Men We Love

February 14, 2020February 19, 2020 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments andrew bujalski, benh zeitlin, cassian elwes, charles d king, chaz bonb, dan palladino, Daniel Craig, david schwimmer, jean mard-vallee, john sayles, john wildman, lee daniels, men we love, Paul Feig, paul weitz, pedro almodovar, ronan farrow, ryan murphy, terrence malick, terry crews, Todd Haynes, valentine's day

To celebrate Valentine’s Day 2020, AWFJ is posting this virtual Valentine to express our love for and to honor our male colleagues who’ve embraced the causes of gender parity and inclusively, and whose work has and is leveling the playing field for women working in film. For many of them, advocacy and activism for better representation of women on camera and behind the lens dates back to before #MeToo became an iconic hashtag and the feminist movement marched into the spotlight.

Reviews

PRECIOUS – Review by Susan Granger

November 6, 2009March 30, 2025 Susan Granger gabourey sibide, lee daniels, lisa cortes, maraih carey, mo'nique, paula paxton, precious, sapphire, susan granger

Ever since this grim, gritty, urban drama won kudos at the Sundance, Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals and the endorsement of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, it’s been generating industry hype and Oscar buzz, building on its themes of prejudice, incest, poverty and AIDS.

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