Tis the season to fete legends of cinema. First, Ethan Hawke celebrates the life of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in his excellent six-part doc series, “The Last Movie Stars,” and now acclaimed veteran director and producer Reginald Hudlin, known for producing “Django Unchained” and directing “House Party,” is all set to honor the life and legendary career of the great Sidney Poitier, a trailblazing actor who broke down so many barriers for Black actors in the United States.
Poitier was the first African American actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964 for “Lilies of the Field” (1963). His first nomination was for “The Defiant Ones” (1958), and in 2002, he was given an Honorary Oscar for his “extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style, and intelligence.”
“Sidney” was produced by Oprah Winfrey, and the doc features screen legends like Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee, and many more.
Here’s the official synopsis:
From producer Oprah Winfrey and directed by Academy Award nominee Reginald Hudlin, this revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker, and activist at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring candid interviews with Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee, and many more, the film is also produced by Derik Murray in close collaboration with the Poitier family. “Sidney” will premiere in select theaters globally on Apple TV+ Friday, September 23, 2022.
“Sidney” is an Apple Original Film produced by Harpo Productions and Network Entertainment. The documentary is produced by Oprah Winfrey on behalf of Harpo Productions and Derik Murray on behalf of Network Entertainment. “Sidney” is directed by Academy Award nominee Reginald Hudlin and written by Jesse James Miller.
“Sidney” will premiere in select theaters globally on Apple TV+ Friday, September 23. Before that, the film will receive its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at the beginning of September.