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If Beale Street Could Talk -Olivia Backes

If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the novel by James Baldwin, is a romance/crime drama that follows a love story between Tish and Fonny as they become expecting parents while Fonny is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. Audiences watch as their relationship and romance blossom as well as the dynamics of the different relationships and families of Tish and Fonny during this time of racial injustice and ways in which the judicial process failed Black communities on the basis of their rights and freedoms. This is a story about hope, dreams, and resilience.


Fonny expresses joy on the street after he and Tish find somewhere to finally call home in Harlem

Tish stands in front of Fonny as a shield between him and the police officer who is harassing Fonny for defending Tish after she was attacked in a store by a white man

This film is significant because it tells a love story about the hopes and dreams of a young couple and their families who refuse to let their lives be destroyed and diminished because of political and social tension and violence. With racism and an unjust judicial system plaguing characters Tish and Fonny, and the Black community as a whole, finding hope is exhausting and at times, feels impossible. However, through the strength of family, love, and community, If Beale Street Could Talk gives an inspiring and emotional story for anyone to hold onto. Fighting injustice, discrimination, and the law doesn't stop the characters from loving each other and nurturing their dreams, regardless of how strenuous they may be. Black love, resilience, and the power of unity are indispensable themes of the film that can reach audiences. 

Discussion questions:
  • If Beale Street Could Talk was published in 1974. Does the film seem outdated in any way or does it still feel accurate for today?
  • Beale Street is a famous and renowned street in Memphis, Tennessee. It is known for its pioneering Blues music as well as a thriving commerce for Black business owners. When thinking about the setting, culture, and present themes in the film, how could this title be demonstrated throughout the film? 

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