A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks (HBO)

About A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks (HBO)

"A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks" is a documentary film which covers the life and work of renowned photographer, writer, director, and composer, Gordon Parks. Released in 2021 and aired on HBO, the documentary explores Parks' pioneering efforts not just in photography, but his role in highlighting black representation in the world of cinema. The film delves deep into Parks' incredible artistic career while exploring how he used his camera as a weapon to fight racism and discrimination.

Making / Production

Directed by John Maggio, the documentary is inspired by Parks' 1965 autobiography, "A Choice of Weapons". It uses a mix of archival materials and contemporary footage to chronicle Parks' career. Producers include Peter Kunhardt and Teddy Kunhardt, and it was shot across a wide range of locations including Washington D.C., New York City, and Paris.

Actors

• Given that "A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks" is a documentary, there are no actors. However, it does feature prominent figures and celebrities like Spike Lee, Ava DuVernay, and Anderson Cooper giving powerful testimonies about Parks' influence.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Gordon Parks was the first African-American staff photographer and writer for Life Magazine.
• Parks directed the 1971 film "Shaft," often recognised as a film that helped pioneer the blaxploitation genre in American cinema.
• The film uses Parks' iconic photography and revolutionary filmmaking as mediums to discuss social issues and racial injustice.

Awards

As of the time of this request, detailed information about the awards received by this 2021 documentary is not fully available. However, given the importance of the subject matter and the style of execution, it's expected that the movie will receive recognition from various award organizations soon.

Quotes

• "The weapon of choice in the fight against poverty and social injustice, for me anyway, was a camera." - Gordon Parks quote featured in the film.
• "His superpower was, he was Gordon Parks." - Quote by Ava DuVernay about Gordon Parks highlighted in the movie.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s score is by renowned composer Tom Phillips, known for his atmospheric music scores that perfectly supplement the narrative.