This weekend marks the wide release of Selma, a drama which we highly recommend seeking out, marking the break-out of director Ava DuVernay. While she already has a few other features under her belt, DuVernay’s involvement in the industry goes much further back. Getting her start in the world of publicity, she would go on to form her own agency before making her own documentaries and narrative features. Two years ago, in between her Sundance hit Middle of Nowhere and Selma, she crafted two shorts, and today we’re featuring both.
Both branded spots, the first is titled The Door and was done for Prada. Described as “a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change,” it’s a beautifully constructed short heavy on music and features Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye, and Goapele. Following that we have the soulful Say Yes, which was done for Fashion Fair and stars Kali Hawk and Lance Gross. As we look forward to where DuVernay goes next, they’re both great examples of a filmmaker defining her voice and can be seen below.
Selma expands wide tomorrow.