BLACK NATIVITY! Does exactly what it says on the tin. Here is a Christmas tale with a bit of a twist. Originally performed as a stage musical in the 1960s, as quite simply the nativity told with an all black cast, BLACK NATIVITY was written by Langston Hughes. For its cinematic interpretation, director and screenwriter Kasi Lemmons, has added a subplot to surround the basic premise. In the film, Langston (Jacob Latimore) is sent by his mother (Jennifer Hudson) to spend the holiday season with his grandparents (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). While attending a Christmas Eve sermon, Langston falls asleep and dreams of a BLACK NATIVITY in Times Square.
It all sounds almost too sugary and sweet, but it’s Christmas and we can let that slide. Latimer, whose only previous film appearance has been VANISHING ON 7TH STREET, sounds very optimistic about the film’s variety of musical stylings:
The music is just like the music nowadays. Some R&B, soulful gospel and a little rap before I go through my spiritual journey.
BLACK NATIVITY is released in the US on the 27th November. It stars Jacob Latimore, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, and Mary J. Blige.
Source: USA Today
