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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ava DuVernay | Ellene Miles
The DuVernay Agency
818.980.0770

 

THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION SELECTS
’THE GREAT DEBATERs' AS TOP FILM OF 2007

Charles Burnett Recognized With Special Achievement Honors

Los Angeles, CA (December 17, 2007) ’ The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has named The Great Debaters as Best Picture of 2007. Directed by Denzel Washington, The Weinstein Company release from Harpo Productions captured a majority vote by the organization comprised of African-American media professionals from across the nation. Don Cheadle was selected as Best Actor 2007 for Talk To Me, with Marion Cotillard earning recognition as Best Actress 2007 for La Vie En Rose. ’Mr. Cheadle's work in 2007, from Reign Over Me to Ocean's Thirteen, continually challenges and entertains us. But, it was his portrayal
of Ralph 'Petey' Greene in Talk To Me that cinched the honor this year,’ notes AAFCA President Gil Robertson, IV. ’And, although our organization gives specific consideration to work by artists of African descent, Ms. Cotillard's astonishing portrayal of Edith Piaf is a standout performance worthy of recognition.’

AAFCA honored Ruby Dee and Chiwetel Ejiofor of American Gangster as Best Supporting Actress and Actor of 2007. Filmmaker Kasi Lemmons was named Best Director 2007 for Talk To Me. Charles Burnett is recognized with the AAFCA Special Achievement Honor 2007, a year which saw the release of his seminal classic ’Killer of Sheep’ more than 30 years after its making. Films in the AAFCA Top Ten include Gone Baby Gone, No Country for Old Men and Michael Clayton. ’2007 embodied a year of powerful, personal filmmaking by high-profile directors who stepped up their game to create what we believe are future classics,’ says AAFCA Vice President, Wilson Morales, editor of Blackfilm.com.

The African-American Film Critics Association's Top Ten Films of 2007 are as follows in order of distinction:

  1. Great Debaters
  2. American Gangster
  3. Talk To Me
  4. Gone Baby Gone
  5. No Country for Old Men
  6. Michael Clayton
  7. Juno
  8. Sweeney Todd
  9. Things We Lost in The Fire
  10. There Will Be Blood

ABOUT AAFCA
Founded in 2003, The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to black communities, while emphasizing film about the black experience and those produced, written, directed and starring performers of African descent. The association actively reviews the quality and standard of black talent, content and media coverage. AAFCA also supports the development of future black film critics and filmmakers. The organization is based in Los Angeles.

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African American Film Critic's Association (AAFCA)  Membership List
 
  1. Mr. Gil L. Robertson IV - Robertson Treatment Syndicated Column (Print/Internet)
  2. Mr. Shawn Edwards - Fox TV, Kansas City (TV)
  3. Mr. Wilson Morales - Black Film.com (Internet)
  4. Ms. Stephanie A. Frederic - BET (Television)
  5. Mr. Mike Sargent - WBAI, New York (Radio)
  6. Mr. Gregg Russell - WB Detroit, MI - TV
  7. Mr. & Mrs. Cameron Turner - Hollywood Hotwire (Radio)
  8. Mr. Kevin "Chill" Heard - Call & Post Newspaper (Print)
  9. Ms. Kamal Larsuel - http://BlackChicks.com (Internet)
  10. Mr. Julian Roman - movieweb.com (Internet)
  11. Ms. Yvette Caslin - Rolling Out (Print/Internet)
  12. Ms. Tosha Y. Thomas - Urban Network Magazine - (Print/Internet)
  13. Ms. Tanya Kersey - Black Talent News (Print/Internet)
  14. Ms. Stephanie Green - Challenger Newspaper Group, NY (Print)
  15. Mr. Lee Bailey - Electronic Urban Report/ Radioscope (Internet/Radio)
  16. Mr. Kam Williams - Syndicated Journalist (Internet)
  17. Mr. Eduardo Jackson - Reel Deal (Internet)
  18. Mr. Charles Judson - Cinema ATL (Internet)
  19. Ms. Tanya Hart - Hollywood with Tanya Hart (TV/Radio)
  20. Ms. Kathy Williams - Editor-In-Chief, Our Weekly, LA (Print/Online)
  21. Lana K. Wilson-Combs - San Francisco Examiner and www.N2Entertainment.net. (Print and online)
  22. Rene Harris - Ban the N-Word (online)

 

Related Links

Blacktrospective 2007 Annual Look Back at the Best (and Worst) in Black Cinema
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/blacktrospective_2007.htm