Director Gina Prince-Bythewood (pictured left) gives movie goers a look behind the flashing lights of fame with her latest project Beyond the Lights.
Bythewood wrote and directed this film that tells the story of music’s next big star Noni, a bi-racial young women raised by a single mother, who has the voice of an angel. On the verge of succumbing to the pressures of her stardom, Noni meets someone that helps her see who she is and helps her find her true voice.
The film screened during this year’s Chicago International Film and writer, director Bythewood was on hand to discuss how the film came to light in 2007 when she started writing it. Bythewood said Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland served as her inspiration for Noni and the film. She said the messages she hopes people take from the film are to choose life and be true to your
self. The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle) as Noni, Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon). Beyond the Lights hits theaters on November 14th, 2014.
Photos by Dan Locke