Julie Dash To Direct ‘Tupelo 77’Posted by Wilson Morales
January 22, 2012
Bob Crowe of Angel Entertainment today announced that Julie Dash (The Rosa Parks Story) is in final negotiations to direct the new feature film TUPELO 77. Produced by Crowe (Rabbit Fall, Stained) and Sean Hewitt (Carry Me Home), TUPELO 77 is set to start shooting during late Summer 2012. Casting for the film is underway.
Written by Rich Mancuso, TUPELO 77 is set in a small town in Mississippi during the summer of 1977 — the year of Elvis Presley’s death and the hottest summer on record in Mississippi. The film chronicles the lives of a group of women of various ages and races who are regulars at a roadside diner. Together they struggle to transcend the obstacles of poverty, racial and religious differences, and the persistent wounds of war.
“I have been a big fan of Julie’s work for a long time,” said Bob Crowe of Angel Entertainment. “Her ability to handle delicate and important subject matter with ease and grace is second to none. Sean Hewitt and I are overjoyed to have her on board.”
“It is not every day that I come across a story that so beautifully depicts the kinds of relationships that transcend race and age and that simply tell a tale about a corner of the world, “ said Julie Dash. “The script really spoke to me and I felt that I already knew the women on the page. I am very excited to work on this meaningful story about relationships.”
Dash is known for her 1991 critical acclaimed film, ‘Daughters of the Dust,’ which first premiered at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned the Excellence in Cinematography Award. Dash became the first African American woman to have a full-length general theatrical release in the United States. The film was selected to participate in the From The Collection screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, where, where Dash will be present for a Q and A.
