14_CRD Rebecca_NP0 
MY_DPS WORK_NN1 on_PRP Sounder_NN1 began_VVD with_PRP a_AT0 prediction_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 spring_NN1 of_PRF 1971_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD set_VVN to_TO0 fly_VVI out_AVP to_PRP Los_NP0 Angeles_NP0 to_TO0 start_VVI work_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC as_AV0 was_VBD true_AJ0 with_PRP every_AT0 important_AJ0 moment_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 share_VVI this_DT0 one_PNI with_PRP Arthur_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN overseas_AJ0 on_PRP tour_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS students_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC we_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 yet_AV0 connected_VVN about_PRP my_DPS role_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 on_PRP my_DPS way_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 airport_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP stopped_VVD by_PRP his_DPS place_NN1 to_TO0 give_VVI him_PNP my_DPS good_AJ0 news_NN1 in_PRP person_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP 'm_VBB going_VVG out_AVP to_PRP Hollywood_NP0 to_TO0 do_VDI my_DPS first_ORD big_AJ0 movie_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN joy_NN1 lifting_VVG my_DPS cheeks_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ And_CJC if_CJS you_PNP do_VDB ,_PUN "_PUQ Arthur_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ you_PNP 're_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI nominated_VVN for_PRP an_AT0 Oscar_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ And_CJC if_CJS I_PNP am_VBB ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP told_VVD him_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ you_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI my_DPS escort_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ We_PNP hugged_VVD and_CJC I_PNP went_VVD on_PRP my_DPS way_NN1 ._SENT 
Even_AV0 before_CJS filming_NN1 began_VVD ,_PUN skepticism_NN1 abounded_VVD over_AVP whether_CJS Sounder_NN1 would_VM0 resonate_VVI ._SENT The_AT0 short_AJ0 three-year_AJ0 gap_NN1 between_PRP Dr._NP0 King_NP0 's_POS assassination_NN1 in_PRP 1968_CRD and_CJC our_DPS first_ORD day_NN1 on_PRP set_NN1 in_PRP 1971_CRD felt_VVD more_AV0 like_PRP a_AT0 decade_NN1 ._SENT Throughout_PRP the_AT0 sixties_CRD ,_PUN there_EX0 'd_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 major_AJ0 political_AJ0 shift_NN1 among_PRP young_AJ0 Blacks_NN2 in_PRP particular_AJ0 ,_PUN some_DT0 of_PRF whom_PNQ were_VBD weary_AJ0 with_PRP King_NP0 's_POS passive_AJ0 resistance_NN1 and_CJC favored_VVD forceful_AJ0 rebellion_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 change_NN1 became_VVD more_AV0 pronounced_AJ0 after_CJS we_PNP lost_VVD King_NP0 —_PUN and_CJC movies_NN2 began_VVD mirroring_VVG the_AT0 evolving_AJ0 times_NN2 ._SENT Theatergoers_NP0 longed_VVD for_PRP brazen_AJ0 Black_AJ0 characters_NN2 ,_PUN heroes_NN2 willing_AJ0 to_TO0 take_VVI up_AVP arms_NN2 in_PRP battling_VVG racial_AJ0 violence_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP place_NN1 of_PRF conciliatory_AJ0 Negroes_NN2 serving_VVG as_PRP white_AJ0 America_NP0 's_POS moral_AJ0 conscience_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 new_AJ0 spirit_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN in_PRP part_NN1 ,_PUN what_DTQ gave_VVD rise_NN1 to_PRP Blaxploitation_NN1 cinema_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 genre_NN1 that_CJT ,_PUN as_CJS I_PNP see_VVB it_PNP ,_PUN did_VDD more_DT0 to_TO0 impede_VVI our_DPS progress_NN1 than_CJS to_TO0 fuel_VVI it_PNP ._SENT In_PRP such_DT0 an_AT0 environment_NN1 ,_PUN director_NN1 Marty_NP0 Ritt_NP0 made_VVD the_AT0 brave_AJ0 choice_NN1 to_TO0 feature_VVI a_AT0 loving_AJ0 Black_AJ0 family_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 plot_NN1 that_CJT neither_AV0 satisfied_VVD the_AT0 thirst_NN1 for_PRP Black_AJ0 rebel_NN1 characters_NN2 nor_CJC reinforced_VVD the_AT0 stereotype_NN1 of_PRF us_PNP as_PRP heathenish_AJ0 villains_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD bold_AJ0 ._SENT It_PNP raised_VVD eyebrows_NN2 and_CJC doubts_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC even_AV0 Paul_NP0 Winfield_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 principal_AJ0 actors_NN2 ,_PUN wondered_VVD whether_CJS anyone_PNI would_VM0 show_VVI up_AVP to_TO0 see_VVI the_AT0 film_NN1 ._SENT 
First_ORD things_NN2 first_ORD :_PUN The_AT0 story_NN1 of_PRF Sounder_NN1 may_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN stolen_VVN from_PRP a_AT0 Black_AJ0 man_NN1 ._SENT William_NP0 H_NP0 ._SENT Armstrong_NP0 is_VBZ said_VVN to_TO0 have_VHI penned_VVN the_AT0 1969_CRD children_NN2 's_POS book_NN1 upon_PRP which_DTQ the_AT0 film_NN1 is_VBZ based_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP even_AV0 won_VVD the_AT0 Newbery_AJ0 Medal_NN1 for_PRP it_PNP ._SENT But_CJC while_CJS preparing_VVG for_PRP the_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 young_AJ0 Black_AJ0 author_NN1 I_PNP met_VVD insisted_VVD he_PNP 'd_VHD written_VVN the_AT0 story_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 years_NN2 he_PNP worked_VVD for_PRP Armstrong_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP even_AV0 gave_VVD me_PNP a_AT0 signed_AJ0 copy_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS original_AJ0 draft_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP breaks_VVZ my_DPS heart_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP no_AV0 longer_AV0 have_VHB it_PNP and_CJC cannot_NP0 track_VVB down_AVP the_AT0 man_NN1 's_POS name_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP loaned_VVD his_DPS draft_NN1 to_PRP Lonne_NP0 Elder_NN1 and_CJC never_AV0 got_VVD it_PNP back_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 same_DT0 thing_NN1 happened_VVD ,_PUN years_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP began_VVD work_NN1 on_PRP A_AT0 Woman_NN1 Called_VVN Moses_NP0 ._SENT Harriet_NP0 Tubman_NP0 's_POS nephew_NN1 gave_VVD me_PNP a_AT0 book_NN1 of_PRF hers_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC poof_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP disappeared_VVD ._SENT 
From_PRP the_AT0 script_NN1 's_POS opening_AJ0 line_NN1 ,_PUN Rebecca_NP0 crawled_VVD under_PRP my_DPS skin_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 see_VVI her_PNP ,_PUN feel_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN touch_VVB her_PNP ._SENT Though_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS I_PNP 've_VHB told_VVN you_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD initially_AV0 been_VBN asked_VVN to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 teacher_NN1 —_PUN a_AT0 smaller_AJC role_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC a_AT0 no_AV0 less_AV0 beautiful_AJ0 one_PNI —_PUN nothing_PNI in_PRP me_PNP stirred_VVD when_CJS I_PNP read_VVB that_DT0 part_NN1 ._SENT Also_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 role_NN1 I_PNP could_VM0 've_VHI played_VVN in_PRP my_DPS sleep_NN1 ._SENT Rebecca_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP contrast_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 character_NN1 of_PRF substance_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 sure_AJ0 I_PNP could_VM0 depict_VVI ._SENT Beneath_PRP her_DPS placid_AJ0 exterior_NN1 lived_VVD a_AT0 quiet_AJ0 complexity_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP knew_VVD who_PNQ this_DT0 woman_NN1 was_VBD —_PUN a_AT0 long-suffering_AJ0 wife_NN1 and_CJC mother_NN1 who_PNQ brought_VVD to_TO0 mind_VVI the_AT0 woman_NN1 who_PNQ reared_VVD me_PNP ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 myriad_NN1 Black_AJ0 women_NN2 who_PNQ 've_VHB carried_VVN our_DPS world_NN1 on_PRP their_DPS shoulders_NN2 —_PUN which_DTQ is_VBZ why_AVQ I_PNP knew_VVD it_PNP would_VM0 prove_VVI challenging_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI her_DPS justice_NN1 on-screen_AJ0 ._SENT That_CJT I_PNP was_VBD terrified_AJ0 to_TO0 take_VVI the_AT0 role_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN for_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN a_AT0 sign_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP should_VM0 ._SENT Intimidation_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 prerequisite_NN1 to_PRP growth_NN1 as_PRP an_AT0 artist_NN1 ._SENT 
At_PRP the_AT0 start_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 project_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP stopped_VVD first_ORD in_PRP LA_NP0 to_TO0 meet_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 crew_NN1 about_PRP costuming_NN1 and_CJC hair_NN1 and_CJC then_AV0 flew_VVD on_AVP to_PRP Baton_NP0 Rouge_NP0 ,_PUN Louisiana_NP0 ,_PUN for_PRP filming_NN1 ._SENT By_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 I_PNP stepped_VVD on_PRP set_NN1 ,_PUN Rebecca_NP0 had_VHD already_AV0 taken_VVN me_PNP over_AVP ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VM0 of_PRF course_NN1 pored_VVD over_AVP the_AT0 script_NN1 and_CJC started_VVD in_AVP with_PRP my_DPS usual_AJ0 inquisition_NN1 :_PUN Why_AVQ did_VDD the_AT0 writer_NN1 create_VVI the_AT0 character_NN1 ?_SENT Why_AVQ was_VBD she_PNP given_VVN the_AT0 name_NN1 Rebecca_NP0 ?_SENT How_AVQ does_VDZ her_DPS dialogue_NN1 reinforce_VVI her_DPS characterization_NN1 ?_SENT Rebecca_NP0 's_POS purpose_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 word_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD support_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 rock_NN1 sustaining_VVG those_DT0 children_NN2 while_CJS her_DPS husband_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP jail_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 "_PUQ crime_NN1 "_PUQ of_PRF ensuring_VVG his_DPS family_NN1 could_VM0 eat_VVI ._SENT I_PNP took_VVD all_DT0 of_PRF that_DT0 in_PRP as_CJS I_PNP read_VVB ._SENT And_CJC once_CJS I_PNP allowed_VVD Rebecca_NP0 's_POS essence_NN1 to_TO0 dislodge_VVI my_DPS own_DT0 ,_PUN she_PNP began_VVD manifesting_VVG in_PRP my_DPS gestures_NN2 ._SENT One_CRD morning_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD cleaning_VVG ,_PUN I_PNP began_VVD doing_VDG everything_PNI with_PRP my_DPS left_AJ0 hand_NN1 ._SENT What_DTQ the_AT0 devil_NN1 is_VBZ wrong_AJ0 with_PRP me_PNP ?_SENT I_PNP thought_VVD ._SENT Rebecca_NP0 must_VM0 be_VBI left-handed_AJ0 ._SENT Sure_AJ0 enough_AV0 ,_PUN one_CRD afternoon_NN1 between_PRP takes_VVZ on_PRP set_NN1 ,_PUN Kevin_NP0 Hooks_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ portrayed_VVD my_DPS eldest_AJS son_NN1 ,_PUN said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Mama_NN1 ,_PUN let_VVB 's_POS play_NN1 ball_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP picked_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 ball_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS left_AJ0 hand_NN1 and_CJC threw_VVD it_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Kevin_NP0 ,_PUN are_VBB you_PNP left-handed_AJ0 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD ._SENT He_PNP nodded_VVD ._SENT It_PNP stood_VVD to_TO0 reason_VVI that_CJT Rebecca_NP0 's_POS firstborn_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP his_DPS mother_NN1 ,_PUN would_VM0 be_VBI a_AT0 leftie_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 I_PNP played_VVD Rebecca_NP0 completely_AV0 from_PRP my_DPS left_AJ0 side_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP also_AV0 got_VVD Rebecca_NP0 's_POS hair_NN1 right_AV0 ._SENT Just_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP 'd_VHD done_VDN in_PRP East_NN1 Side_NN1 and_CJC every_AT0 other_AJ0 film_NN1 I_PNP 've_VHB been_VBN in_PRP ,_PUN I_PNP felt_VVD determined_VVN to_TO0 bring_VVI authenticity_NN1 to_PRP my_DPS character_NN1 ._SENT During_PRP the_AT0 1930s_CRD in_PRP the_AT0 South_NN1 ,_PUN poor_AJ0 Black_AJ0 women_NN2 typically_AV0 cornrowed_VVD their_DPS hair_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS wrapped_VVN their_DPS heads_NN2 while_CJS laboring_AJ0 in_PRP fields_NN2 and_CJC kitchens_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP called_VVD on_PRP Omar_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 stylist_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN working_VVG with_PRP in_PRP California_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP asked_VVD her_PNP to_PRP cornrow_NN1 my_DPS hair_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP knew_VVD how_AVQ to_TO0 braid_VVI ,_PUN but_CJC because_CJS she_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 a_AT0 union_NN1 worker_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 do_VDI the_AT0 job_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 I_PNP began_VVD calling_VVG around_AVP to_TO0 see_VVI whether_CJS I_PNP could_VM0 find_VVI someone_PNI in_PRP my_DPS network_NN1 ._SENT Through_PRP a_AT0 friend_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP connected_VVD with_PRP a_AT0 woman_NN1 who_PNQ was_VBD married_VVN to_PRP an_AT0 African_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC when_CJS she_PNP and_CJC her_DPS husband_NN1 had_VHD lived_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 continent_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 women_NN2 there_AV0 taught_VVD her_PNP how_AVQ to_PRP cornrow_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 a_AT0 union_NN1 worker_NN1 either_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC somehow_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD able_AJ0 to_TO0 bring_VVI her_PNP in_AVP ._SENT She_PNP 's_VBZ the_AT0 one_PNI who_PNQ gently_AV0 parted_VVN and_CJC braided_VVN my_DPS hair_NN1 into_PRP perfectly_AV0 spaced_VVN rows_NN2 ._SENT 
Filming_NN1 went_VVD on_AVP for_PRP several_DT0 weeks_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC one_CRD scene_NN1 in_PRP particular_AJ0 will_VM0 always_AV0 be_VBI memorable_AJ0 ._SENT Near_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN after_PRP Jim_NP0 Crow_NP0 's_POS injustices_NN2 have_VHB separated_VVN Nathan_NP0 and_CJC Rebecca_NP0 for_PRP months_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 two_CRD run_NN1 toward_PRP each_DT0 other_NN1 along_PRP a_AT0 long_AJ0 dirt_NN1 road_NN1 and_CJC embrace_NN1 ._SENT Everywhere_AV0 I_PNP go_VVB ,_PUN folks_NN2 ask_VVB me_PNP about_PRP that_DT0 scene_NN1 ._SENT After_CJS we_PNP 'd_VHD filmed_VVN the_AT0 tearful_AJ0 reunion_NN1 ,_PUN Marty_NP0 Ritt_NP0 ,_PUN compassionate_AJ0 soul_NN1 that_CJT he_PNP was_VBD ,_PUN came_VVD over_AVP and_CJC put_VVD his_DPS arm_NN1 around_PRP my_DPS shoulder_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Cic_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP think_VVB we_PNP 're_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 have_VHI to_TO0 do_VDI that_DT0 again_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP stared_VVD blankly_AV0 at_PRP him_PNP ,_PUN knowing_VVG that_CJT I_PNP 'd_VHD emptied_VVN myself_PNX fully_AV0 into_PRP the_AT0 previous_AJ0 take_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Why_AVQ ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD him_PNP ._SENT He_PNP nodded_VVD toward_PRP the_AT0 cinematographer_NN1 ,_PUN John_NP0 Alonzo_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ When_CJS you_PNP were_VBD running_VVG to_TO0 meet_VVI Nathan_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Marty_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ John_NP0 's_POS eyes_NN2 filled_VVN with_PRP tears_NN2 and_CJC he_PNP is_VBZ n't_XX0 sure_AJ0 he_PNP got_VVD the_AT0 shot_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Oh_ITJ boy_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ You_PNP know_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP told_VVD him_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 think_VVI I_PNP can_VM0 do_VDI that_DT0 again_AV0 ,_PUN Marty_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Once_AV0 a_AT0 scene_NN1 like_PRP that_DT0 is_VBZ done_VDN ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ impossible_AJ0 to_TO0 repeat_VVI ._SENT The_AT0 moment_NN1 has_VHZ come_VVN and_CJC gone_VVN ._SENT The_AT0 next_ORD take_NN1 will_VM0 perhaps_AV0 give_VVI you_PNP something_PNI equally_AV0 moving_VVG ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI different_AJ0 ._SENT Acting_VVG ,_PUN at_PRP its_DPS core_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ about_AV0 surrendering_VVG to_PRP a_AT0 moment_NN1 and_CJC allowing_VVG it_PNP to_TO0 give_VVI whatever_DTQ it_PNP has_VHZ ._SENT I_PNP get_VVB baffled_VVN about_PRP people_NN0 who_PNQ just_AV0 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 let_VVI things_NN2 be_VBI ,_PUN onstage_AJ0 and_CJC in_PRP life_NN1 ._SENT Life_NN1 is_VBZ unfolding_VVG exactly_AV0 as_CJS it_PNP is_VBZ meant_VVN to_PRP ,_PUN exactly_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 Spirit_NN1 intended_VVN ._SENT Leave_VVB it_PNP alone_AV0 and_CJC let_VVB it_PNP play_VVI out_AVP ._SENT Marty_NP0 understood_VVD that_CJT ,_PUN and_CJC yet_AV0 thanks_NN2 to_PRP a_AT0 weepy_AJ0 cinematographer_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP needed_VVD the_AT0 scene_NN1 again_AV0 ._SENT So_AV0 I_PNP attempted_VVD it_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP lacked_VVD the_AT0 pathos_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 original_NN1 ._SENT Thank_VVB God_NP0 that_CJT John_NP0 eventually_AV0 discovered_VVD he_PNP 'd_VHD captured_VVN the_AT0 first_ORD take_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS tears_NN2 ,_PUN though_CJS they_PNP 'd_VHD obscured_VVN his_DPS own_DT0 vision_NN1 ,_PUN had_VHD n't_XX0 blotted_VVN the_AT0 camera_NN1 lens_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS filming_NN1 wrapped_VVD that_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 'll_VM0 always_AV0 remember_VVI what_DTQ Marty_NP0 said_VVD to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ You_PNP know_VVB ,_PUN Cic_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ this_DT0 is_VBZ supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 children_NN2 's_POS film_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC if_CJS we_PNP 're_VBB not_XX0 careful_AJ0 ,_PUN we_PNP 're_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 make_VVI a_AT0 damn_AJ0 good_AJ0 movie_NN1 "_PUQ —_PUN one_PNI that_CJT could_VM0 transcend_VVI its_DPS category_NN1 ._SENT 
Paul_NP0 Winfield_NP0 was_VBD slated_VVN to_TO0 be_VBI the_AT0 movie_NN1 's_POS headliner_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD to_TO0 receive_VVI second_ORD billing_NN1 as_PRP his_DPS costar_NN1 ._SENT After_PRP the_AT0 movie_NN1 was_VBD complete_AJ0 ,_PUN Paul_NP0 called_VVD me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Congratulations_NN2 ,_PUN Cic_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ For_PRP what_DTQ ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD ._SENT He_PNP explained_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 directors_NN2 and_CJC producers_NN2 had_VHD decided_VVN ,_PUN upon_PRP viewing_VVG the_AT0 finished_AJ0 work_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 make_VVI me_PNP the_AT0 star_NN1 and_CJC Paul_NP0 my_DPS costar_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD flummoxed_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ Why_AVQ would_VM0 you_PNP let_VVI them_PNP do_VDI that_DT0 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD ,_PUN disturbed_VVD to_TO0 hear_VVI that_CJT his_DPS contract_NN1 would_VM0 not_XX0 be_VBI honored_VVN ._SENT He_PNP chuckled_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ When_CJS you_PNP see_VVB the_AT0 movie_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP told_VVD me_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ you_PNP will_VM0 understand_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ That_DT0 is_VBZ how_AVQ ,_PUN for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS career_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP became_VVD a_AT0 headliner_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC it_PNP happened_VVD not_XX0 because_CJS I_PNP 'd_VHD orchestrated_VVN it_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC because_CJS heaven_NN1 had_VHD ._SENT 
When_CJS the_AT0 film_NN1 landed_VVN in_PRP theaters_NN2 on_PRP September_NP0 24_CRD ,_PUN 1972_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 outlook_NN1 seemed_VVD bleak_AJ0 ._SENT Paul_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP were_VBD together_AV0 that_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN walking_VVG up_AVP Broadway_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP looked_VVD over_AVP into_PRP a_AT0 theater_NN1 we_PNP passed_VVD and_CJC there_EX0 was_VBD n't_XX0 a_AT0 soul_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 box_NN1 office_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 even_AV0 a_AT0 person_NN1 in_PRP line_NN1 to_TO0 buy_VVI tickets_NN2 ._SENT We_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 say_VVI a_AT0 word_NN1 to_PRP one_CRD another_DT0 ._SENT We_PNP just_AV0 kept_VVD walking_VVG in_PRP silence_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 care_VVI how_AVQ many_DT0 shows_VVZ an_AT0 actor_NN1 has_VHZ played_VVN in_AVP ,_PUN a_AT0 single_AJ0 question_NN1 hangs_VVZ over_PRP every_AT0 opening_AJ0 day_NN1 :_PUN Will_VM0 this_DT0 time_NN1 be_VBI good_AJ0 enough_AV0 ?_SENT I_PNP went_VVD home_AV0 and_CJC cried_VVD privately_AV0 over_PRP the_AT0 disappointment_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB sure_AJ0 Paul_NP0 did_VDD ._SENT But_CJC those_DT0 tears_NN2 dried_VVD up_AVP soon_AV0 after_PRP when_CJS the_AT0 reviews_NN2 came_VVD in_AVP ._SENT Some_DT0 praised_VVD Sounder_AJC as_CJS a_AT0 courageous_AJ0 counter_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 new_AJ0 wave_NN1 of_PRF Blaxploitation_NN1 characters_NN2 ,_PUN noting_VVG how_AVQ the_AT0 film_NN1 portrayed_VVD an_AT0 affectionate_AJ0 and_CJC devoted_AJ0 Black_AJ0 couple_NN1 rarely_AV0 witnessed_VVD on-screen_AJ0 ._SENT Others_NN2 mentioned_VVD how_AVQ it_PNP put_VVD the_AT0 Depression-era_AJ0 struggles_NN2 of_PRF Black_AJ0 folks_NN2 into_PRP historical_AJ0 context_NN1 ,_PUN all_AV0 while_CJS Nathan_NP0 and_CJC Rebecca_NP0 put_VVD our_DPS humanity_NN1 on_PRP full_AJ0 display_NN1 ._SENT Nobody_PNI ,_PUN not_XX0 even_AV0 me_PNP ,_PUN expected_VVD Sounder_AJC to_TO0 receive_VVI such_DT0 strong_AJ0 reviews_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 phenomenal_AJ0 critical_AJ0 reception_NN1 lit_VVD a_AT0 match_NN1 under_PRP the_AT0 executives_NN2 at_PRP 20th_ORD Century_NN1 Fox_NP0 ._SENT They_PNP realized_VVD what_DTQ they_PNP had_VHD and_CJC launched_VVD a_AT0 media_NN0 blitzkrieg_NN1 ,_PUN pouring_VVG more_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 million_CRD dollars_NN2 into_PRP a_AT0 massive_AJ0 promotional_AJ0 campaign_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP quoted_VVD every_AT0 positive_AJ0 word_NN1 of_PRF every_AT0 review_NN1 and_CJC organized_VVD hundreds_CRD of_PRF screenings_NN2 all_DT0 over_PRP the_AT0 country_NN1 ._SENT Religious_AJ0 and_CJC civic_AJ0 organizations_NN2 endorsed_VVD the_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 study_NN1 guide_NN1 was_VBD even_AV0 created_VVN ._SENT The_AT0 movie_NN1 went_VVD from_PRP struggling_VVG at_PRP opening_AJ0 weekend_NN1 to_PRP becoming_VVG a_AT0 major_AJ0 box-office_AJ0 success_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP love_VVB telling_VVG this_DT0 story_NN1 because_CJS it_PNP flies_VVZ in_PRP the_AT0 face_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 notion_NN1 that_CJT Black_AJ0 films_NN2 do_VDB n't_XX0 sell_VVI ._SENT First_ORD of_PRF all_DT0 ,_PUN the_AT0 very_AJ0 designation_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 movie_NN1 (_PUL or_CJC any_DT0 product_NN1 )_PUR as_CJS "_PUQ Black_AJ0 "_PUQ smacks_NN2 of_PRF superiority_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS a_AT0 Caucasian_AJ0 actor_NN1 stars_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 one_PNI calls_VVZ it_PNP a_AT0 white_AJ0 film_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ presumed_VVN universal_AJ0 ._SENT When_CJS a_AT0 film_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT0 Black_AJ0 cast_NN1 ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ immediately_AV0 sidelined_VVN into_PRP its_DPS own_DT0 dimly_AV0 lit_VVN corner_NN1 ,_PUN disconnected_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 broader_AJC human_AJ0 experience_NN1 and_CJC believed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI incapable_AJ0 of_PRF speaking_VVG to_PRP a_AT0 wide_AJ0 cross-section_NN1 of_PRF people_NN0 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ utter_AJ0 nonsense_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS film_NN1 companies_NN2 put_VVB their_DPS marketing_NN1 machines_NN2 behind_PRP a_AT0 movie_NN1 featuring_VVG a_AT0 Black_AJ0 cast_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS 20th_ORD Century_NN1 Fox_NP0 did_VDD with_PRP Sounder_NN1 and_CJC as_CJS Marvel_NP0 did_VDD with_PRP Black_AJ0 Panther_NN1 (_PUL rest_NN1 in_PRP power_NN1 ,_PUN Chadwick_NP0 Boseman_NP0 )_PUR ,_PUN such_DT0 films_NN2 can_VM0 and_CJC do_VDB often_AV0 perform_VVI well_AV0 ._SENT Not_XX0 every_AT0 project_NN1 will_VM0 take_VVI off_AVP ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 matter_NN1 the_AT0 racial_AJ0 heritage_NN1 of_PRF its_DPS actors_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC how_AVQ can_VM0 directors_NN2 and_CJC studio_NN1 heads_NN2 declare_VVB a_AT0 film_NN1 a_AT0 failure_NN1 when_CJS they_PNP 've_VHB put_VVN little_AV0 to_PRP no_AT0 effort_NN1 into_PRP promoting_VVG it_PNP ?_SENT As_CJS I_PNP see_VVB it_PNP ,_PUN time_NN1 is_VBZ ripe_AJ0 for_PRP directors_NN2 of_PRF color_NN1 to_TO0 continue_VVI what_DTQ many_DT0 now_AV0 are_VBB doing_VDG :_PUN creating_VVG and_CJC distributing_VVG our_DPS own_DT0 content_NN1 and_CJC investing_VVG in_PRP our_DPS genius_NN1 ._SENT 
Fox_NP0 's_POS efforts_NN2 were_VBD fruitful_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 film_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD made_VVN for_PRP less_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 million_CRD dollars_NN2 ,_PUN grossed_VVN about_PRP $_NN0 17_CRD million_CRD at_PRP the_AT0 box_NN1 office_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP terms_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 profit_NN1 it_PNP generated_VVD ,_PUN it_PNP landed_VVD at_PRP number_NN1 15_CRD out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 hundreds_CRD of_PRF films_NN2 released_VVN in_PRP 1972._CRD The_AT0 triumph_NN1 sent_VVD a_AT0 resounding_AJ0 message_NN1 to_PRP all_DT0 of_PRF our_DPS skeptics_NN1 ._SENT 
