A potential awards season contender (it has all the makings of one), director Ted Melfi’s “Hidden Figures” – the much-anticipated feature film adaptation of Margot Lee Shetterly’s book of the same name, which won’t be published until September by HarperCollins (although you can preorder a copy now; see below) – tells the untold true story of some of the African American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Civil Rights era.
Starring in the film are Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae, as the unsung scientists.
They are joined in supporting roles by Mahershala Ali, Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons, Kirsten Dunst and Glen Powell in the film.
The adaptation was developed by producer Donna Gigliotti (producer of Oscar-caliber fare like “Shakespeare In Love” and “Silver Linings Playbook”), with Allison Schroeder penning the screenplay adaptation, which 20th Century Fox picked up, with a January 2017 release date eyed.
Before that, expect events like this one taking place tonight, August 9, at 7pm, at the 14th Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF), at Edgartown Cinemas Main Street Edgartown, MA.
Join co-star of the film Janelle Monáe, producer Peter Chernin, and Dr. Camille Charles (Walter H. and Lenore C. Annenberg Professor in the Social Sciences at University of Pennsylvania) for a conversation about the film, which will include a presentation of clips from it – a treat for anyone attending the event this evening, since we haven’t seen a trailer or any clips from the upcoming film yet.
To buy tickets for tonight’s event, click here.
Pharrell Williams is one of the film’s producers. He will also write songs for it, as well as work with Hans Zimmer on its score.
Shetterly’s book will be published in September of this year; but you can preorder your copy right now via Amazon. Just click on the book cover image below.
