The Underdoggs press conference not only provided insights into the making of the film but also delved into an important conversation about labels and diversity. The cast and director, led by moderator Danielle Young, tackled the question of whether The Underdoggs should be labeled as a “black film.” The discussion opened a window into the complexities of representation and how the industry grapples with categorizing movies. The Underdoggs is scheduled to be released by Amazon MGM Studios as a Prime Video exclusive on January 26, 2024.
Danielle Young posed a thought-provoking question to the panel, asking whether The Underdoggs, with its predominantly black cast and black director, should be considered a “black film.” The responses reflected a nuanced understanding of the challenges and perceptions surrounding such labels.
Charles Stone III, the director, acknowledged the double consciousness that people of color often experience, being both identified by their race and as Americans. He emphasized that The Underdoggs is a film for everybody, celebrating the culture of people of color, including African American and Latinx communities. The movie is a universal tale that transcends racial boundaries, telling a coming-of-age story that resonates with a diverse audience.
Also Check Out: Thanksgiving Movie | Exclusive Clip
Snoop Dogg chimed in with a perspective that emphasized the danger of limiting a movie by categorizing it as a “black film.” He argued that such labels attempt to confine the film to a specific fanbase, disregarding the broader appeal of the narrative and the diversity within the cast and crew. Snoop emphasized that The Underdoggs should be recognized as a great piece of work featuring outstanding actors from various backgrounds.
Tika Sumpter echoed this sentiment, drawing a parallel to The Bad News Bears, a film that is not inherently labeled but enjoyed by audiences for its universal themes. She emphasized that The Underdoggs is a film with black and brown people in it, and its cultural relevance is something everyone can appreciate.
The discussion shed light on the industry’s tendency to categorize films, often limiting their potential audience and impact. Snoop Dogg challenged the notion that a film’s excellence is contingent on the racial identity of its leads, emphasizing the importance of recognizing it as a great movie irrespective of the ethnicity of its protagonists.
Charles Stone III concurred, suggesting that the world needs to be more mindful of the various cultures and that The Underdoggs contributes to American history rather than being confined to a specific demographic.
The cast and director conveyed a unified message: The Underdoggs is not just a “black film” but a universal story that appeals to a diverse audience.
FOR FANBOYS, BY FANBOYS
Have you checked out LRM Online’s official podcasts and videos on The Genreverse Podcast Network? Available on YouTube and all your favorite podcast apps, This multimedia empire includes The Daily CoG, Breaking Geek Radio: The Podcast, GeekScholars Movie News, Anime-Versal Review Podcast, and our Star Wars dedicated podcast The Cantina. Check it out by listening on all your favorite podcast apps, or watching on YouTube!
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Google Play
