Memphis (2013 film)

This article is about the 2013 film directed by Tim Sutton and is not to be confused with the Broadway musical Memphis (musical) or its proposed film adaptation.

Memphis is a 2013 musical drama film, directed by Tim Sutton.^[1][2] The film stars Willis Earl Beal in the lead role of talented singer.^[3]

Memphis
Film poster
Directed by	Tim Sutton
Screenplay by	Tim Sutton
Produced by	John Baker
Starring	Willis Earl Beal Constance Brantley Larry Dodson Lainie Kazan Curtis Armstrong
Cinematography	Chris Dapkins
Edited by	Seth Bomse
Music by	Willis Earl Beal
Production companies	Alcon Entertainment Belle Pictures The Mark Gordon Company
Distributed by	Kino Lorber Sony Pictures Classic
Release date	August 21, 2013 (2013-08-21) (Venice)
Running time	79 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The film had its premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2013.^[4] The film was also awarded the cinema funding grant by Venice Biennale College.^[5]

The film later screened at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014.^[6][5] Vimeo acquired the exclusive 30-day worldwide digital window on the film, while Kino Lorber will theatrically release the film.^[7]

Plot

A singer drifts through Memphis city on a journey of self-discovery.

Cast

• Willis Earl Beal
• Wole Parks as Michael Jordan
• Todd Williams as Chad
• Constance Brantley
• Larry Dodson
• Devonte Hull
• Lopaka Thomas
• John Gary Williams
• Lainie Kazan as Mary
• Curtis Armstrong as Jake

Reception

Memphis received mostly positive reviews from critics. Justin Lowe in his review for The Hollywood Reporter called it "A film of quiet intensity and poetic imagery."^[8] Rob Nelson of Variety, praised the film by saying that "(it) is a digressive, daringly experimental study of a flailing musician, magnetically played by accomplished bluesman and poet Willis Earl Beal."^[9]

See also

• List of black films of the 2010s