An AFI Fest Red Carpet Premiere Review
Streaming: November 15, 2023
Directors: Gelila Bekele, Armani Ortiz
Writer: Gelila Bekele
With: Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Lucky Johnson, Kenya Barris, Gayle King, Debra Lee, Ari Emanuel, Michael Paseornek, Tim Palen, Ozzie Areu, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, Carl Hancock Rux
Genre: Documentary
MPA Rating: PG-13
Language: English
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Directors’ Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz captivating documentary Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story takes you on an emotionally journey as they share all of the heartbreaks and triumph of Tyler Perry (TP).
We are transported from the early days of abuse at the hands of his hardworking, alcoholic father in New Orleans, through a life filled with faith in God, becoming a two-time bestselling author with dozens of films and television shows under his belt, to the purchase of the 330-acre former confederate military base Fort Mcpherson that became Tyler Perry Studios
His gifts of writing, directing, and production while keeping full ownership of all his work, going on negotiate the House of Payne’s 10 show pilot with an additional 90 episodes, was a first in the industry, are things to be greatly admired yet what stands out to me is TP, the human being, the man and his is ability to forgive and break the cycle of abuse that enabled his to be a caring and loving son and father. An all-round good guy.
TP said many powerful things. The two that are seared into my mind is when discussing his childhood trauma and how and what he did to endure,
TP said, “I never came back to myself.”
And later, when responding to people’s amazement at his prolific film career and his ability to complete so many film projects in such a brief time span, he lets you know that while he is filming is real time,
“I already see the cuts.”
It is these statements that gave insight into the man, and how he operates and functions at a level that most people never achieve. He sees beyond what is in front of him.
Jon Bertain and Erick Sasso editing enables the scenes to flow effortlessly into a wonderful story. James Poyser does an impressive job with the soundtrack and the added sounds and lyrics of James Brown and Kenny Babyface Edmonds, and others provide a great backdrop to telling his powerful story. Nelson Hume gets you up close and personal with the camera that helps you feel a part of the action. Bekele’s writing does a stellar job of balancing the horrors of abuse and the unimaginable achievement of TP to create beautiful films.
Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story provides valuable insight into the man, TP and his Christian faith. It shows that despite the hardship, abuse, and trauma a person experiences in life, it does not have to determine the outcome of your life. A wonderful must-see film.
Streaming: November 22, 2023
Released by: Amazon MGM Studios
Directors: Gelila Bekele, Armani Ortiz
Writer: Gelila Bekele
Camera: Nelson Hume
Editor: Jon Bertain, Erick Sasso
Music: James Poyser
With: Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Lucky Johnson, Kenya Barris, Gayle King, Debra Lee, Ari Emanuel, Michael Paseornek, Tim Palen, Ozzie Areu, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, Carl Hancock Rux
Producers: Gelila Bekele, Jasmine K. White, and Asante White
Production: Amazon MGM Studios and Bekele Films
About BEKELE FILMS
GELILA BEKELE is a model, and a documentary filmmaker. Her modeling career began in 2006, appearing in leading magazines, beauty campaigns and numerous publications. Gelila is a devoted advocate for young girls' right to equal opportunities in her homeland of Ethiopia, as well as globally. Gelila began her narrative and documentary film career in 2013. Her most recent releases at the 2019 Cannes film festival and Berlinale: Mai: Life is not Honey (Director), Anbessa (Executive Producer) and The Model Activists 2017 (Director). Gelila is the author of the book Guzo! (2018) which documents the daily lives of native Ethiopians.
https://bekelefilms.com/
About AFI FEST
Now in its 37th year, AFI FEST is a world-class event, displaying the best films from across the globe. This year’s edition takes place in Los Angeles from October 25-29, 2023. With an innovative slate of programming, the five-day festival presents screenings, panels, and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new cinematic voices. AFI FEST includes high-profile films with Q&As featuring the films’ cast and crew and a robust lineup of fiction and nonfiction features and shorts, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for movie fans. Additional information about AFI FEST is available FEST.AFI.com. Connect with AFI FEST at Facebook.com/AFIFEST, Twitter.com/AFIFEST, Instagram/AmericanFilmInstitute, TikTok/@AmericanFilmInstitute andYouTube.com/AFI.