The Queen of Pop, our beloved LGBTQ+ icon, has some strong words for Moonlight director Barry Jenkins and his new movie: she’s a big fan.
Yesterday, Madonna took to her social media to praise the upcoming romantic drama film If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the 1974 novel of the same name by James Baldwin.
In a highly enthusiastic post, Her Madgesty said:
“Another Remarkable and Unforgettable film by Barry Jenkins!! Dir. of Moonlight. Based on a novel written by Our Lord James Baldwin! Amazing Actors! Gorgeous cinematography and camera work.
Score insanely beautiful! So many great messages. Out on November30th! Run to see it! thank you #bandrybarry#bealestreet #ifbealestreetcouldtalk #annapurnapics#jamesbaldwin ” -Madonna
Set in 1970s Harlem, the sprawling family drama If Beale Street Could Talk tells the story of a young African-American woman who seeks to clear the name of her wrongfully accused lover as she prepares to give birth to his baby.
James Baldwin is one of the best and most influential Black, queer writers ever. There was a great, Academy Award-nominated documentary about him released last year called I Am Not Your Negro. Seek it out if you haven’t seen it. Baldwin died from stomach cancer in 1987. Richard Wright called Baldwin “the greatest black writer in the world.”
I saw If Beale Street Could Talk last night, and Madonna is right. I mean, Madonna is always right about everything, guys… but I figured I would offer my two cents.
Annapurna releases If Beale Street Could Talk on Nov. 30. Here’s the trailer.
Putting aside the deeply
Putting aside the deeply problematic and insufferably trivial & silly idea of Madonna having anything of value or insight to say on James Baldwin, your piece suffers from several errors in fact.
1. Baldwin died of throat cancer – which at the time of his death had spread to his stomach and liver
2. Richard Wright never called Baldwin "the greatest black writer in the world" which, upon first blush, sounded wrong in every way: particularly considering Wright's difficult relationship with Baldwin and the fact that by the time of Wright's death in 1960 Baldwin had only published 3 works and a play. The correct quote is Baldwin saying of Wright he was "the greatest black writer in the world to me"