Just saw "Selma"

[appalachiablue]

45. Because it was so significant I looked up 'Eyes on the Prize' a couple years ago & the PBS info.

online states that it was re-run in 2010. Another showing of this classic is definitely warranted. I'll try to watch again online through PBS, Hulu or Amazon. Ruskin was a major thinker in the 19th century & contributor to art criticism, albeit the curious attack on Whistler's 'Nocturne' & lawsuit that bankrupted the American painter. Ruskin was also involved in political commentary & social justice issues which impacted the British Labor Party & late 19th cent. co-operative communities.~ There's a trailer for 'Mr. Turner' & interview with actor Tim Vall online.

'The Slave Ship', (1840) Turner's magnificent but controversial painting was exhibited to coincide with a London conference advocating for abolition of slavery worldwide, beyond the British Empire. Turner was influenced by Thomas Clarkson's writing, 'The History and Abolition of the Slave Trade' & his growing reaction to the Industrial Revolution's exploitation of workers & slaves. Ruskin thought very highly of the work.
The painting's subject is the horrific true story of 1781 aboard the British ship Zong. Another connection is 'Belle' (2013), a British film about a young woman of African & white heritage living in the home of Lord Mansfield, the English judge who decided the landmark verdict in the Zong case.

'Amazing Grace' (2006) the film portrays the decades long struggle to end the slave trade in Britain by MP Wilber Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffold), close friend Prime Minister Wm. Pitt the Younger (Ben Cumberbatch), Clarkson's abolition Clapham group, Equiano, a former slave & others. Wonderful film. Ben C.'s family was involved way back in the slave trade & sugar industry in Barbados which he's discussed with the press. In 'Twelve Years a Slave' he had a small part as the fair minded, religious planter. Outstanding actor. Nice to chat about art, history & film. (One of my profs was wild about Ruskin, Pugin, Poussin).