September 12 – September 15, 2022 Sanaa Lathan: An American Cinematheque Retrospective Series | Aero Theatre and Los Feliz 3
The American Cinematheque is proud to present this retrospective for Sanaa Lathan, acclaimed and celebrated actress, and now feature film director. We are excited to include a special advanced screening of her feature directorial debut ON THE COME UP, which will have its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before heading to Paramount+ on September 23. A versatile talent, Sanaa began her career both in front of the camera and on the stage. In the world of theatre, one of her most renowned roles was in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun, which earned her a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play. In television, she took on early roles in episodes of shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Most recently, she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, for her work on the television series Succession. In the feature film space, Sanaa has crafted a range of beloved characters in romantic comedy films such as SOMETHING NEW and BROWN SUGAR, while also taking on edgier roles like in the 1988 superhero vampire thriller, BLADE. In ON THE COME UP, newcomer Jamila C. Gray stars as Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. When her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, Bri finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false persona that the industry wants to impose upon her. The new film is based on the New York Times #1 bestselling novel of the same name by THE HATE U GIVE’s Angie Thomas.