Artful and intimate meditation on legendary storyteller basis of award-winning new documentary
Sedona AZ (July 9, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the critically-acclaimed new documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” July 19-24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the legendary storyteller and Nobel prize-winner. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ‘70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature.
Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative. Woven together with a rich collection of art, history, literature and personality, the film includes discussions about her many critically acclaimed works, including novels “The Bluest Eye,” “Sula” and “Song of Solomon,” her role as an editor of iconic African-American literature and her time teaching at Princeton University.
In addition to Ms. Morrison, the film features interviews with Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez and Oprah Winfrey, who turned Morrison’s novel “Beloved” into a feature film. Using Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ elegant portrait-style interviews, “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” includes original music by Kathryn Bostic, a specially created opening sequence by artist Mickalene Thomas, and evocative works by other contemporary African-American artists including Kara Walker, Rashid Johnson and Kerry James Marshall.
“Moving and profound. This remarkable documentary does so many things so well that it’s often like watching several fine films at once. Look for this one to be front and center come Oscar time.” — Los Angeles Times
“Generous and intelligent. Brought alive by the charisma and brilliance of its subject.” — The New York Times
“Rousing. Underscores the deeply humanistic soul responsible for broadening the literary landscape.” — Variety
“Beautiful. Morrison and her novels are treasures.” — The Hollywood Reporter
“Morrison’s life story is pointedly told through the prism of her work.” — Out
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre July 19-24. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday, July 19, 20 and 22; and 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 23 and 24.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information and to order tickets online, visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.