Academy Award-nominated director Ava DuVernay explored an unlikely-yet-fascinating chain of events when her short film, “August 28,” made its national television debut on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network on that very date, last Tuesday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
Starring Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o, Golden Globe recipient Angela Bassett, Golden Globe and Grammy winner Don Cheadle, two-time Emmy winner Regina King, David Oyelowo, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, André Holland and Michael Ealy, along with Emmy winner Glynn Turman, DuVernay’s 22-minute scripted film used a “robust combination of both documentary and narrative techniques to transport viewers through six stunning historical moments that all actually occurred on the same day in various years.”
According to the network, “August 28,” written, produced and directed by DuVernay, traverses a century of Black progress, protest, passion and perseverance of African-American people. The project gives historical perspective within the creative framework of one date that has had a profound effect on America including:
*The passing of the Slavery Abolition Act on August 28, 1833, the lynching of Emmett Till on August 28, 1956;
* The first radio airplay from Motown Records on August 28, 1961 with The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman;”
*Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech during the massive March on Washington on August 28, 1965;
*Hurricane Katrina making its tragic landfall on August 28, 2005;
* Then-Senator Barack Obama’s acceptance of the Democratic nomination for the presidency on August 28, 2008.
“August 28” was filmed by cinematographer Malik Sayeed and edited by Oscar nominee Spencer Averick. Ten-time Grammy nominee Me’shell N’degeocello composed the score.