In episode 25 The Boston Sisters feature Amma Asante’s feature film BELLE by listener request from JOANNE FORT, an attorney living in Atlanta, Georgia. Joanne shares why she wanted the podcast to feature BELLE. We invited London-based figurative painter GLORY SAMJOLLY, to talk about the film and the story behind the portrait of the real-life Dido Elizabeth Belle (with her cousin Elizabeth). As founder of the social media platform Black Aristocrat Art, Glory brings her insights on depictions of Black women and men of the aristocracy in historical European art.
BELLE is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a mixed-race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and an enslaved African woman who is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson) in 18th century England. Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from receiving the benefits of noble social standing. Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013; in the U.S. in 2014.
TIMESTAMPS
1:19 Intro to BELLE by Request
1:56 Belle Film Synopsis
3:11 Listener Joanne Fort - what makes Belle special
5:34 Glory Samjolly, Black Aristocrat Art
6:44 Glory's introduction to Dido Elizabeth Belle film and portrait
9:16 Black presence in European portraiture
13:40 Interpreting Belle's portrait
20:03 Joanne Fort's Turban Question for Glory Samjolly
21:32 Exoticizing the Black Image in European Portraiture
29:06 Break
30:00 Interpreting the Mysteries of Black Portraiture
37:15 Learning Black History in the UK
41:23 Glory's Dream: A Black Aristocrat Portrait Gallery
45:10 Special Commission: Painting A History Globe
49:15 Art to Change the Psychology of Black History
52:02 Lightning Round: Bourgeoisie fashion in 18th Century France, Headphones, Paint Brush, Turpentine
57:05 Where to Find Amma Asante's “Belle” (2014) Film
58:05 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters Contact Info
Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013, and in the U.S. in 2014.
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