Black Reel/ NAACP Image Awards Preview: Best Actress Race

Black Reel/ NAACP Image Awards Preview: Best Actress RacePosted by Wilson Morales

December 11, 2013

It goes without saying that 2013 is by far the greatest year in Black Cinema. From Fruitvale Station to Lee Daniels’ The Butler to 12 Years a Slave, along with documentaries like Free Angela & All Politcal Prisoners, 20 Feet From Stardom, and America Promise, we have more than one legitimate film in contention for major accolades as the year comes to a close. With several organizations ready to post their “Top 10″ and “Best of” lists, some of these films mentioned as well as other films and the talent involved in front and behind the camera will be talked about.

Focusing on just “Black” films and talent alone, we have the upcoming Black Reel Awards (Dec. 18) and the NAACP Image Awards nominations ( January 8, 2014). This is certainly the year where there shouldn’t be a nominee included by default, i.e lack of qualified names. Today, we’ll preview the contenders for the Best Actress category. When you look at the films that these six highlighted women were in, the common themes that were present included racism and violence. Some of these individuals have received a higher profile than others, but everyone put in an equal amount of effort in bringing in a bravado performance.

Here’s the link to the Best Actor Race

Here’s a look at the six strongest in the field of Best Actress:

Halle Berry – The Call

After she won the Oscar over 10 years ago, Berry has been searching for a role that would bring in an audience, and may her calling (no pun intended) with this film. Playing a 911 operator who tries to help a kidnapped young girl through her ordeal, the film was expected earn about $11–12 million on its opening weekend in 2,507 theaters across the United States but surpassed this by a significant margin and grossed $17 million in its first three days. Some say that Berry’s star status gave life to this cliche, low-budget suspense thriller.

Jennifer Hudson – Winnie Mandela

Although the film was shot back in 2011, it finally hit theaters this past September. While the film was met with some criticism, Hudson was praised for her performance in this personal and political life of the wife of renowned activist and revered former South African President, Nelson Mandela. The film tells the compelling story of one woman’s journey as she fights for the freedom of the man she loves and for the freedom of her people during the Apartheid era.

Danai Gurira – Mother of George

In her first big role since being cast as Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead, Gurira gets to work with director Andrew Dosunmu (‘Restless City) again and displays a level of compassion for her portrayal of an African immigrant life living in present-day Brooklyn and trying to adjust to family tradition and obligation.

Yolonda Ross – Go For Sisters

While Ross recently received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards, she in fact IS the lead of John Sayles’ acclaimed drama. Along with LisaGay Hamilton, they play two estranged childhood friends whose lives intersect again as recovering addict and parole officer. Having played supporting roles for most of her film career, Ross is a standout in this emotional, and moving drama

Shanola Hampton – Things Never Said

Best known for her role on Showtime’s Shameless, Hampton is a revelation in TV writer Charles Murray’s directorial debut. In this captivating drama, Hampton plays a struggling poetess trying to find her soul when her marriage is tested when a new love brings complications. Along with Omari Hardwick, Elimu Nelson, Tamala Jones, and Dorian Missick, Hampton shines a new face on the big screen.

Jurnee Smollet-Bell – Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor

The film may not have been critically acclaimed, but Tyler Perry has found a star in Jurnee Smollett-Bell. From Eve’s Bayou to Roll Bounce to TV’s The Defenders, we have watched this New York City native grow up before our eyes and in playing a woman torn between her feelings for her husband and a new lover in Perry’s provocative and bold story, Smollett-Bell held her own opposite Lance Gross and Vanessa Williams.

Here are some other noteworthy performances that should also be considered: