W Magazine enlisted iconic Academy Award Winner Regina King to direct Viola Davis and her family in their “Black Americana” special Directors Issue cover shoot. The magazine’s editorial leaders secured another black woman, Brooke Marine, to write the accompanying article, as well as, a black photographer, Andre D. Wagner — who did much of the photography for ‘Queen & Slim’ (and happens to be the husband of current The Cut Editor in Chief and former Teen Vogue Editor in Chief Lindsay Peoples Wagner) to take the images. And to round out the team, Academy winning costume designer, the legendary Ruth E. Carter styled the shoot and it looks amazing. Regina King Directs Viola Davis in W Magazine cover
Regina King, director of ‘One Night in Miami,’ details how she came up with the story behind the Black Americana shoot by watching old interviews of Viola Davis where she could hear “the pain as well as the beauty in the bruises” in Davis’ delivery, as told to W Magazine. King says Davis embodies her idea of Black Americana.
The story follows the Tennon family enjoying a Saturday afternoon at home before the mother and father head out for an evening on the town. The following morning the family head to church, but when they return home the mother receives a tragic phone call.
“I don’t think any of us are particularly happy with the state of America, but we still embrace the fact that we are Black Americans, even with all of the things that have happened in history,” says Viola Davis for W Magazine.
“It’s sad, but we still have this thing about us as Black people that, while we have the burden, we believe in giving it to God, and that our spirits are or will eventually be freed. You feel the weight of the world, but you’re hearing Nina’s voice and what she’s saying, and somehow you believe it’s going to be okay,” says Davis when reenacting the scene with Nina Simone playing in the background of the photo shoot.
Check out the new Directors Issue here on the W Magazine website.
Regina King Directs Viola Davis in W Magazine cover
Regina King Directs Viola Davis in W Magazine cover
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