The White House is hosting a screening of the movie, which depicts the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Friday, January 16.
- January 16, 2015
AceShowbiz -
"Selma" may receive less-than-exciting response from the Academy, but the Obamas love the movie. According to Washington Post, President Obama is holding a screening for the historic movie on Friday, January 16 at the White House. A source said "a very small group" of the cast members, Common and possibly Oprah Winfrey, who serves as the producer, will also attend the screening alongside Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.).
"Selma" tells the story of the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to fight for voting rights in 1965. It stars David Oyelowo as King, Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson and Tim Roth as Governor George Wallace among others.
Following the 2015 Academy Awards nominee announcement on Thursday, January 15, it was revealed that Oyelowo did not make it into Best Actor category, while director Ava DuVernay is absent from the Best Director category. "Selma" is now up for the Best Picture trophy and Best Original Song for "Glory" by John Legend and Common.
Director Spike Lee has commented on the snub in an interview with The Daily Beast. "If I saw Ava today I'd say, 'You know what? F**k 'em. You made a very good film, so feel good about that and start working on the next one,' " he said.
DuVernay, meanwhile, sees the Best Picture nomination as a gift on King's birthday which coincidentally is on January 15. "Happy Birthday, Dr. King. An Oscar gift for you. To SELMA cast + crew led by our miracle David Oyelowo! To Common + Legend! Kudos! March on!" she tweeted.
