Nicole Beharie and Channing Godfrey Peoples should get all the awards
Channing Godfrey Peoples’ MISS JUNETEENTH starring Nicole Beharie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won the Lone Star Award at SXSW, released by Vertical Entertainment to theatres this past June and was nominated for 2 Gotham Awards. It’s hard to believe people were able to enjoy this gem in the theatres with an audience experience just a few months ago. Ms. Channing Godfrey Peoples is the writer and director who crafted a story about Black motherhood anchored by Nicole Beharie who is the heart of the film. This is a film that isn’t often centered around a Black woman it’s part coming of age, motherhood and ‘what ifs’ that will be a classic joining films like Steel Magnolias and the Color Purple where women are front and centered. If you haven’t seen Channing Godfrey Peoples debut feature it’s now available on VOD platforms and with a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes this film will touch anyone who may not have the life they imagined.
‘As a girl growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, I marveled at the annual MISS JUNETEENTH winner gliding across the stage with hope on her face. I was fascinated by pageant glamour before I understood the historical significance of the pageant and its purpose of instilling pride and self-worth in the ladies who were crowned its winner. Its contestants were young, hopeful African-American women vying for a full college scholarship. Miss Juneteenth is the culmination of my life experiences, heritage, and culture. I was inspired by my own childhood being raised by a single mother and watching her quest to navigate her own life while raising children. As a recent mother myself, I’m navigating many of the same issues that Turquoise faces -wanting the best for your child while being able to provide for her and maintaining your own hopes and dreams.’
CHANNING GODFREY PEOPLES, WRITER & DIRECTOR
Miss Juneteenth is the story of Turquoise Jones a single mom who holds down a household, a rebellious teenager, and pretty much everything that goes down at Wayman’s BBQ & Lounge. Turquoise is also a bona fide beauty queen – she was once crowned Miss Juneteenth, a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Life didn’t turn out as beautifully as the title promised, but Turquoise, determined to right her wrongs, is cultivating her daughter, Kai, to become Miss Juneteenth, even if Kai wants something else.
‘I want MISS JUNETEENTH to contribute to more diverse representations of African-American women on screen. Through exploring issues unique to black women and our identity and culture, my hope is the film will be a universal story about the resilience of the human condition.’
CHANNING GODFREY PEOPLES, WRITER & DIRECTOR
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