*In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, we speak with George Tillman, Jr. producer and director of the film, “The Hate U Give.” Tillman has been writing, directing, and producing stories about the black experience for over 20 years.
Tillman’s filmography illustrates his strong sense of family and the black experience. Inspired by such films as “Cooley High” and “Taxi Driver,” produced his first film “Scenes for the Soul” in 1995 and made his first critically-acclaimed film, “Soul Food” in 1997. As a director his body of work continues to shed light on people of color with films like “Men of Honour” (2000) and “Notorious” (2009). He has also directed episodes of several popular television series including “Power,” “Luke Cage,” and the award winning, “This is Us.”
As much as Tillman creates, he also supports television and film that tell stories about family and people of color. He produced episodes of the television series based on his successful film “Soul Food” and the “Barbershop” movie and television series. Recently he produced “Mudbound” which was garnered both critical acclaim and award nominations in 2017.
Tillman’s latest project, “The Hate U Give” is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Angie Thomas. The film stars Amandla Stenberg, as Starr Carter, a young black high school student who lives in two worlds. At school, she is must act and behave in a manner, or codeswitch, to blend in at her predominately white high school. But at home, she deals with the everyday existence of growing up in a predominately black urban neighborhood. Her two worlds collide after witnessing her childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith) being shot and killed by a police officer. The film also stars Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae, Common, and Lamar Johnson.
“The Hate U Give” is rated PG and is available on DVD and streaming services for rent and purchase.
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