In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the filmmakers and cast of the Best Picture Oscar-nominated Selma joined the residents of Selma, Alabama in a commemorative march yesterday to pay tribute to Dr. King’s contributions to the city and its role in the civil rights movement.
Director Ava DuVernay, stars David Oyelowo and Common and the film’s producers Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner participated in a Q&A with select filmmakers and cast moderated by Congresswoman Terri Sewell at Selma High School for local high school students and teachers.
Selma Mayor George Evans addressed the community at Selma City Hall with Rev. Dion Culliver of Tabernacle Baptist Church and Rev. Leodis Strong of Brown AME Chapel before the crowd participated in a commemorative march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where the historical marches occurred 50 years ago.
Common and John Legend performed their song “Glory” on the historical Edmund Pettus Bridge. The Golden Globe-winning song has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The cast and filmmakers attended a special screening at the Selma Walton Theater for Alabama state officials and the film’s local cast and crew. The Selma Walton Theater is showing free screenings of Selma throughout the month of January for local citizens.
