When director, producer, filmmaker and East St. Louis native Reginald Hudlin called The American on Friday to talk about his upcoming film “Marshall,” protests were underway in downtown St. Louis. Earlier that morning, Judge Timothy Wilson handed down a not guilty verdict in the murder trial of former St. Louis Police officer Jason Stockley for the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.
“I know things are bananas at home right now,” Hudlin said. “I’m hoping movies like this create a better consciousness about actions like that. When you see the specifics of how institutional racism works, I think that changes people.”
The film, which Hudlin directs, opens in theatres nationwide on October 13. “Marshall” centers around a 1941 case where a black driver is accused of raping his wealthy white employer’s wife. A young Thurgood Marshall – who was 32 at the time, but had already argued before the United States Supreme Court – was sent to Connecticut to work on the case by the NAACP. The judge would not allow him to represent the accused. Marshall is forced to team up with a Jewish lawyer with zero experience with criminal trials, and be silent in the courtroom as the case is presented.
“This was a really crucial case as far as forming his career,” Hudlin said about the story that unfolds over the course of the film. “I’ve been playing the film to audiences for the past month and people have left theatre saying, ‘I didn’t know about this part of his life – or about who he really was as a person,’ because the film captures the spirit of the type of person he was.”
Before he became the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Judge, even before he argued the landmark Brown vs. The Board of Education case, Marshall was a gifted and hungry attorney that fought for change in a system built with the odds stacked against people of color.
Hudlin has always felt that Marshall was an underrated hero in Black History when it comes to other giants like Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
“He played such a crucial role in America fulfilling its promise,” Hudlin said. “Basically, you’ve got the Constitution, which has all of these great ideas, but is flawed from the beginning because of the presence of slaveholders and racism. What he did was take that and say, ‘Okay, this is the promise of the country. I’m going to take these words and make you live up to them.’”
His regard for Marshall had everything to do with Hudlin signing on to direct the film when he was approached by producer Paula Wagner.
“She called me and said, ‘I have a movie about Thurgood Marshall. I was like ‘I’m in,’ Hudlin said. “I was like, ‘I should read this first, but yes I would love to do that.’
The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Kate Hudson, Josh Gad and St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown.
“I teased him a little bit for being from St. Louis as opposed to East St. Louis,” Hudlin said. “We had a lot of fun. Sterling’s an amazing person. He’s so talented, so smart and so charming that you just want to be around him. I felt that from the moment I met him and it was just an absolute joy working with him – and I can’t wait to do it again.”
While it is certainly a big deal to have a director from East St. Louis and a co-star from St. Louis, Hudlin says that the region shouldn’t be surprised, because of the rich legacy in arts and entertainment.
“St. Louis and East St. Louis – the entire area has generated so many talented stars,” Hudlin said. “I grew up two doors down from where Ike met Tina. And about 10 blocks from my house was the night club where Chuck Berry created Rock and Roll. Miles Davis’ mother taught third grade at my elementary school. The truth is that we were surrounded by greatness. We have always made a tremendous contribution.”
As far as “Marshall,” Hudlin says the film’s message falls directly in line with what is happening as people protest their outrage with the Stockley verdict and attempt to hold the system accountable with their demonstrations.
“We see it right now in the streets of St. Louis,” Hudlin said. “If we stand side by side with our allies – right minded people who may not look like us, or may not start from the same place as us –if you link arms and work together, you can overcome unbelievable obstacles.”
“Marshall” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, October 13. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 118 minutes.
Major U.S. Cities and States to Observe 50th Anniversary of Trailblazing Marshall’s Swearing in as the First African American Supreme Court Justice
Confirmed participation in: Atlanta; Austin; Baltimore; Broward County, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; Dallas; Detroit; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami-Dade County; Buffalo, New York; Erie County, New York; Oakland, California; Palm Beach County, Florida; Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Open Road Films and BazanED Partner with Communities to Honor Marshall’s Legacy
Josh Gad, Chadwick Boseman and Sterling K. Brown in MARSHALL. Photo credit: Barry Wetcher / Distributor: Open Road Films
Communities around the U.S. are proclaiming October 2, 2017, “Thurgood Marshall Day” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the day Marshall was sworn in as the nation’s first African-American Supreme Court justice on October 2, 1967.
U.S. states, cities and counties nationwide including Atlanta; Austin; Baltimore; Broward County, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; Dallas; Detroit; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami-Dade County; Oakland, California; Palm Beach County, Florida; Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. have already confirmed their participation. Buffalo, New York and Erie County, New York issued a joint proclamation.
Congressional leaders including Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan, Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., Rep. Alcee Hastings and State Senator Bobby Powell have also contributed their support by issuing congressional proclamations to help illuminate Marshall’s legacy on the historically significant day.
Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes who introduced the bill declaring October 2 “Thurgood Marshall Day,” which passed the state legislature unanimously, said, “Pennsylvania is proud to be taking part in honoring Thurgood Marshall with a statewide designated day. His spirit is very much alive in the many civil rights struggles still unfolding in our nation’s courtrooms today, and now more than ever we need to honor and learn from his legacy.”
Tom Ortenberg, Open Road’s CEO, added “Thurgood Marshall was a brilliant legal mind, and arguably the most instrumental figure of the civil rights movement in terms of concrete strides towards equality within the justice system. We are proud of the way this film portrays him, and thrilled that cities and states everywhere are recognizing this important anniversary with us.”
“Thurgood Marshall is one of America’s greatest heroes, and I am overjoyed that this film has inspired coast to coast celebrations of his achievements,” said Director Reginald Hudlin. “It’s more important than ever to remember a man who, more than anyone, brought the promise of the Constitution into reality.”
Other cities and states are being encouraged to join in and designate October 2 a day of celebration and education in their own communities. “We call on elected and appointed officials in every city in America to join this initiative and declare ‘Thurgood Marshall Day’ in their communities,” says Jackie Bazan of BazanED, the initiative’s organizer on behalf of Open Road Films. “Justice Marshall dramatically changed America in ways that continue to impact our everyday lives. This initiative is an attempt to make people — especially young people — aware of the significance of his work and ensure his legacy.”
As part of an extensive education outreach campaign to heighten awareness of Thurgood Marshall in classrooms and homeschools across the country, BazanED, a leader in motion picture education, is working with officials ranging from city council members to congressional representatives and mayors to organize the initiative. The project is accompanied by a national education program including pre-release screenings of Open Road Films’ Marshall, a major motion picture that chronicles a pivotal case in Marshall’s early law career. In partnership with African American Universities, museums and cultural centers, Open Road Films will provide free pre-release screenings for 11th and 12th graders in seventeen (17) U.S. cities to take place on October 2. Select screenings will be followed by a moderated post-screening discussion with historians, judges, attorneys and more. Open Road Films is also providing bus transportation to all participating schools in need. The student outreach program is accompanied by educational curricula developed by BazanED and available to the education community at BazanED.com. The company has also developed curricula for lower-grade students to encourage school districts across the country to honor Marshall by teaching about his life, times and accomplishments on October 2nd.
From his early career as counsel to the NAACP, to his service as U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and his historical appointments as the first black U.S. Solicitor General and later Supreme Court justice, Marshall argued and decided cases that dismantled institutionalized racism in myriad forms, and shaped the trajectory of the American Civil Rights movement. As a lawyer, he was instrumental in arguing the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, a case that not only cemented his reputation as a preeminent attorney, but became the legal foundation for essential anti-discrimination work for decades to come.
Open Road Films will release Marshall on October 13, 2017 nationwide.
Program Features Pre-Release Screenings of the Upcoming Film on October 2, the 50th Anniversary of Thurgood Marshall’s Historic Swearing In as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Open Road Films and BazanED today announced a nationwide student initiative surrounding the October 13, 2017 release of the new motion picture Marshall, which tells the story of a pivotal case in U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall’s early law career.
The national education program includes pre-release screenings of Marshall for 11th and 12th graders in seventeen (17) U.S. cities to take place on October 2, which marks the 50th anniversary of the day Thurgood Marshall was sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court as its first African American associate justice. Select screenings will be followed by a moderated post-screening discussion with historians, judges, attorneys and more. Open Road Films is also providing bus transportation to all participating schools in need. The student outreach program is accompanied by educational curricula developed by BazanED and available to the education community at BazanED.com. The company has also developed curricula for lower-grade students to encourage school districts across the country to honor Marshall by teaching about his life, times and accomplishments on October 2nd.
“Marshall is a riveting piece of entertainment, but it also tells the story of a vitally important and hugely influential American with whom all students should be familiar,” said Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg. “We are thrilled to present the film to high schoolers for reflection and discussion, and work with BazanED, which brings its expertly crafted teaching materials to classrooms everywhere in conjunction with the film.”
“Thurgood Marshall is a real-life superhero, and this movie is a great way for kids to be introduced to a great American without feeling lectured to,” say Marshall Director Reginald Hudlin. “The movie is fun and exciting, but, both kids and adults learn a lot while having a good time, which is what education should be.”
The program’s special screenings will take place in African-American museums and other prominent educational and cultural institutions, as well as commercial theaters. Screenings have been scheduled in New York, Compton, Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Palm Beach, Pittsburgh, San Francisco/Oakland, Denver, Kansas City, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and Ft. Lauderdale. Full information and updated locations can be found at BazanEvents.com.
The Compton screening, organized in partnership with Urban Entertainment Institute, will take place at the Compton High School Auditorium and will be followed by a Q&A with director Reginald Hudlin and stars Chadwick Boseman and Josh Gad. Students from other area schools will be invited to attend and the discussion will be streamed live to schools throughout the country so students can watch and ask questions of the panelists in real time.
Several African American museums in major U.S. cities have joined the effort to educate students about Justice Thurgood Marshall. In Marshall’s hometown of Baltimore, the film will be shown to students at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum followed by a discussion. The Washington, D.C. event will be hosted by Howard University, the alma mater of Thurgood Marshall, who studied at its law school, as well as the film’s star, Chadwick Boseman, who studied at its theater department. Marshall will also screen at Detroit’s Charles Wright Museum and Chicago’s DuSable Museum.
Yanick Rice Lamb, Associate Professor and Chair, Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Department of Media, Journalism and Film said, “Howard has deep connections to both the subject and the star of this film, and places special emphasis on producing and supporting the work of black leaders across a wide array of professions. There could not be a more appropriate milieu for high school students to see and discuss a film made by an extremely talented filmmaker, starring an exciting up-and-coming actor, about a trailblazing U.S. Supreme Court Justice, who also happens to also be one of Howard’s most illustrious law graduates. We are naturally honored and excited to be a part of this program.”
Chadwick Boseman in “Marshall,” directed by Reginald Hudlin and opening Oct. 13. Credit Barry Wetcher/Open Road Films
Thurgood Marshall would be a good candidate for a dusty and dutiful biographical drama, one surveying his central role in Brown v. Board of Education, the towering 1954 civil rights landmark, and his years as the Supreme Court’s first black justice.
That is not the movie the director Reginald Hudlin wanted to make. He had in mind a brisk, entertaining and urgent look at a single episode early in Marshall’s career.
“It’s not a cradle-to-grave biopic,” Mr. Hudlin said of the film, which is about a lurid rape trial the lawyer handled in 1941, when he was just 32. “It’s a courtroom thriller,” he said. “It’s a whodunit.”
Marshall is portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, who has starred in more comprehensive biographical dramas, playing Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get on Up.” In the new film, Mr. Boseman said, he was focused on his subject at a formative moment. “I wanted to capture his personality, his swagger, his love of life, his sense of humor,” Mr. Boseman said. “And his ambition.”
“Marshall” (due Oct. 13) arrives at a combustible time, and it has a message. “We are at a time when the country is literally being torn apart,” Mr. Hudlin said. “Black voices constantly fighting to be heard is tragically very, very current.”
Protest and resistance are important, he said. But so is working within the system. “We can’t just fight the power,” Mr. Hudlin said. “We have to be the power. That’s what Thurgood Marshall was. He was a guy who fulfilled the promise of the Constitution.”
Thurgood Marshall Credit Cornell Capa/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The film’s version of the future justice, who died in 1993, is both realistic and relentless. “The Constitution was not written for us,” Marshall says. “We know that. But no matter what it takes, we’re going to make it work for us. From now on, we claim it as our own.”
In his later years, he came to be known as a superb appellate lawyer and litigation tactician. But his early career was spent in trial courts, mostly in the South, where he fought for racial justice in hostile territory, relying on humor, charm, outrage, guile and stone-cold courage.
In a twist, the film focuses on a trial in Bridgeport, Conn., where Marshall had to hone and adapt his talents to address a social structure and legal system that was stacked against black defendants in less obvious ways than in the Deep South. Mr. Boseman said the setting makes the film all the more timely. “It pinpoints the more subtle version of how racism affects America,” he said.
The defendant, Joseph Spell, played by Sterling K. Brown (the prosecutor Christopher Darden in “The People vs. O.J. Simpson”), was a black butler and chauffeur. He was accused of rape and kidnapping by his employer, Eleanor Strubing, a white socialite from Greenwich, Conn., played by Kate Hudson. The case captivated the New York tabloids and led rich white families in affluent New York suburbs to fire their black servants.
In “Devil in the Grove,” which won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction, Gilbert King wrote about Marshall’s heroic trial work. “Across the South,” Mr. King wrote, “in their darkest, most demoralizing hours, when falsely accused men sat in jails, when women and children stood before the ashy ruins of mob-torched homes, the spirits of black citizens would be lifted with two words whispered in defiance and hope: ‘Thurgood’s coming.’” (A film adaptation of “Devil in the Grove,” which focuses on a different case, is in the works.)
“Marshall” touches on some of those Southern cases, too, and in places the legal thriller is tinged with touches of other genres. “I also kind of see it as a western,” Mr. Hudlin said. “It’s a movie about Thurgood Marshall. And he’s the marshal. He’s like Shane. This guy goes from town to town dispensing justice. So that title was chose very deliberately because that really sums up that era of his life.”
If the film is part courtroom drama and part western, it is also buddy movie. Marshall’s local counsel, Samuel Friedman, played by Josh Gad, is a white, Jewish insurance defense lawyer with modest skills beyond a knack for spotting technicalities. Marshall takes him in hand and transforms him, sometimes playfully and sometimes forcefully.
“At the beginning of this movie,” Mr. Boseman said, “Sam Friedman is not in a place where he is willing to take a stand. It’s Thurgood Marshall that smacks Sam on the top of the head and says: ‘This is you. This is your injustice. This does touch you.’”
“I love the movie for that reason,” he continued. “It doesn’t allow you as an audience member, no matter what color you are, to hide from the issues because ultimately we see ourselves in the characters in the movies we go see.”
Mr. Hudlin said his film was about allies. “When I think specifically about the black-Jewish alliance and how many things it’s done for this country — in government, in the arts — that partnership is a little frayed,” he explained. “This movie celebrates the achievements of that partnership.”
“Marshall” has elements of yet another genre. It is a sort of origin story, of a legal superhero. Justice Elena Kagan, who served as a law clerk to Justice Marshall, has called him “the greatest lawyer of the 20th century.”
“Bar none,” she added. “Not even a close contest.”
Mr. Hudlin and Mr. Boseman know something about superheroes. Mr. Hudlin spent years writing “Black Panther,” the Marvel comic, and Mr. Boseman played the character in “Captain America: Civil War” and next year’s “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” The filmmakers said “Marshall” works, as origin stories should, even if the audience arrives at the theater knowing nothing about its central figure.
From left, Josh Gad, Chadwick Boseman and Sterling K. Brown in “Marshall.” Credit Barry Wetcher/Open Road Films
The film would have been compelling even if he were named John Smith, Mr. Hudlin added. “But he also happens to be a real person, and he was the greatest lawyer in the history of the country.”
People who knew Marshall said the film captures his swagger, humor and love of life. “He had a legendary capacity for spontaneous humor and telling anecdotes,” said Deborah Rhode, a law professor at Stanford who served as his law clerk.
The film includes glimpses of Marshall’s glittering, jazz-infused social life in Harlem, including friendships with Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. The young lawyer drinks, flirts and teases.
In court, Mr. Boseman said, Marshall drew on the improvisational verve of Harlem’s culture. “He brings that jazz to the struggle,” he said.
Mr. Hudlin said he wanted to show that the black experience in America was not only suffering and struggle.
“These guys led amazing lives,” Mr. Hudlin said. “Thurgood left that. He left his beautiful wife. He left his celebrity friends to literally go to hell, to go to places where they would kill him as easily as they looked at him. That is a different definition of courage. It’s not because your back is to the wall and you have no choice. He had a choice. He made a choice.”
“Marshall” may inspire some young people to consider law school, Mr. Hudlin said. “They’ve grown up in such a cynical time,” he said, “that they’ve never seen the law used to make things better.”
In the film, Friedman grows to admire Marshall’s ability to put out legal fires kindled by racism. Marshall rejects the compliment. “It’s not the fires I’m after, Sam,” Marshall says. “It’s fire itself.”
