The 24th annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) kicked off with a bang, thanks to the presence of Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu, who shared never-before-seen clips of their upcoming African fantasy film, Children of Blood and Bone. Based on Tomi Adeyemi's acclaimed 2018 novel, the film is set in the fictional kingdom of Orïsha, where magic has been prohibited, and follows a young woman's quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. With an A-list cast that includes Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, Regina King, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and Viola Davis, the film promises to be a powerful and visually stunning experience.
Prince-Bythewood, the director of Love and Basketball, spoke about the casting process, saying, '70% of directing is casting, and that’s what this was. To be able to put together a cast like this. There are no skips. Everybody is amazing.' She also expressed her admiration for Adeyemi's work, calling her a 'genius' and praising the 'incredible characters' in the book. Mbedu, who stars as Zélie Adebola, the young woman with the power to command the undead, shared her excitement about returning to her native South Africa to work on the film, preparing for the role for nearly a year before filming began.
However, the film has been mired in controversy due to Adeyemi's decision not to watch the finished product, citing ongoing antagonism behind the scenes. Adeyemi, who also served as an executive producer, left the set 'hyperventilating and sobbing' and has since blocked Stenberg on social media. Prince-Bythewood did not address the drama onstage, but she did speak positively about Stenberg's casting, saying, 'I’ve admired [Amandla’s] work since ‘Colombiana,’ but I auditioned every young actor for that role of Amari, and Amandla took it, grabbed it.'
Despite the controversy, Prince-Bythewood remains focused on the film's potential to move audiences. She said, 'You’re going to feel every human emotion in this. You’re going to be angry, you’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry, you’re going to dance, you’re going to cheer, you’re going to feel hope at the end. And that’s why I hope we go to movies, to feel something, to be moved. So I’m so excited about that.' The film is set to premiere on January 15, 2027, and Prince-Bythewood is confident that it will resonate with audiences, saying, 'I’m so proud of this movie, so excited about this movie and the thing that it can do for us when we see ourselves in this way.'
In my opinion, the film's diverse cast and powerful storytelling make it a must-see for audiences of all backgrounds. The controversy surrounding Adeyemi's decision not to watch the film is unfortunate, but it does not diminish the film's potential to inspire and entertain. As Prince-Bythewood said, 'These films are rare. I’m so proud of this movie, so excited about this movie and the thing that it can do for us when we see ourselves in this way.' I look forward to seeing the film and experiencing the magic that Prince-Bythewood and Adeyemi have created.
