Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-winning film, “Selma,” is joining recently released “Just Mercy” and a curated list of films from the Criterion Channel in dropping its price tag for the month of June, in light of the various protests and anger that has risen up in the aftermath of the brutal murder of George Floyd.
On Twitter, DuVernay shared, “Paramount Pictures is offering SELMA for free rental on all US digital platforms for June, starting today. We’ve gotta understand where we’ve been to strategize where we’re going. History helps us create the blueprint. Onward.”
For those not aware, “Selma” tells the true story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s march to Selma in 1965 during the Civil Rights movement. Released in 2014, the film was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Picture, and helped launch DuVernay into the upper echelon of filmmakers. Interestingly, “Selma” was just recently in the news over the past 24 hours thanks to actor David Oyelowo speaking up about how the Academy members talked to producers about how the cast and crew were showing their support for the recently-killed Eric Garner back in 2014. At the time, the Academy deemed the support as controversial and producers were led to believe that members wouldn’t be voting for the film because of the cast and crew’s support of Black Lives Matter. It’s incredible how things change in only a matter of 5 years, huh?
READ MORE: 22 Films About Rebellion, Protests & Civil Unrest
Now, “Selma” is seen as a vital piece of film history, especially after the current situation. And if you’re a film fan trying to offer suggestions for folks that still don’t understand, “Selma” and “Just Mercy” make one hell of a double feature, right?
Also, if you’re interested in learning more about the historical significance of the true story that inspired the film, The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance program along with Left Field labs released an online resource that is worth checking out.