On Friday, February 5, HBO held a conversation and screening in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to debut their latest documentary Black Art: In the Absence of Light online.
On Tuesday, February 2nd The Critics Choice Association hosted the 3rd Annual Celebration of Black Cinema, via a virtual ceremony, to honor 10 visionary films and 15 actors, producers, and directors of the season.
At only 17, Michigan native, Ai Bendr is making waves – sound waves that is – as she’s being called “the next Billie Eilish” for her singing and songwriting capabilities. Her track “Love Me Low” was just featured on the special episode of HBO’s 3-time Emmy-award-winning show, Euphoria.
Back in 1978, nine members of a black liberation revolutionary group in Philadelphia known as MOVE was raided by police, resulting in the death of a police officer.
HBOMax’s Superintelligence virtually premiered last night on Thursday, November 20th, preceding an exciting Q&A with the cast and crew.
HBO’s new finance show Industry restructures how we view finance and how it is depicted in the media. Former Investment bankers Mikey Down and Conrad Kay created the show and their finance past might be something the reason for the show’s authenticity.
The first time television creators work alongside a cast of powerful newcomers. In the words of actor Harry Lawtey: “I learned so much… the leads in the show we’re fairly inexperienced; this is kind of a life-changing project for us.” Industry is a powerful introduction to the talents of both the creators and the leading cast. The characters are written to show the complexities that come with life each character is multidimensional and as the show progresses the audience will better understand the complex realities each individual is navigating through. Industry is the product of powerful writing being brought to life by true thespians. Though the leading cast might be considered newcomers, their ability to bring life into the words of Down and Kay isn’t to be ignored.
With the writing of multidimensional characters, Robert is introduced to audiences with the quote: “It’s a marginal game about marginal gains.” Robert can easily be described as the life of the party and in many ways, the character functions as the glue that holds the graduates together. He has personal and individual relationships with each of the grads at Pierpoint & Co. Robert’s most important relationship is his friendship with Gus. The longstanding friendship began while the two were at Oxford before beginning their journey together at Pierpoint & Co. Their friendship holds a mirror to many of the complex social structures existing in and out of the work place. In many ways, they navigate the bank similarly both standing on the privilege of their prestigious education however, the nuances with privilege are explored through their relationship dynamic.
Lawtey’s humility along with the humility of the Industry cast is reassuring to see. The first episode is directed by Lena Dunham and it is clear that the collaborative effort between creatives created a powerful series. The raw talent brought together to make this series will lead to audiences falling in love with the characters and their storylines while learning more about finance and humanity.
HBO’s Industry premieres November 9th
HBO premiered their new finance drama Industry on November 9th.
The daily stresses of being a finance novice are all unpacked in HBO’s newest drama series “Industry,” which premieres Monday.
The daily stresses of being a finance novice are all unpacked in HBO’s newest drama series “Industry,” which premieres Monday, November 9.
HBO’s new series Industry highlights the realities of working in the finance industry, life in London, and the hardships that come with being a young adult. The show was created by two former investment bankers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay who are now using their finance past and their talent for writing to tell the stories of five young graduates at Pierpoint & Co competing for a full-time position at the prestigious bank.
Unlike many of the finance films and television, series viewers have witnessed in the past, the show packs well-written storylines that shed light on some of the harsh realities of working in finance and the difficulties within the workplace. Industry has no intention of glorifying finance or making the focus of the show money. Pierpoint & Co and the graduates are used for telling more complex storylines tackling race, privilege, gender, and all of their intersections.
Yasmin, played by Marisa Abela, on the surface is presented as a privileged polyglot living in her parents’ lavish Notting Hill home. However, the depth of Yasmin and her fight for respect in the workplace shows the truth and complexities behind the character. Her privilege is erased in the competition for a position at Pierpoint & Co and she often finds herself being reduced to the one disadvantage she possesses: her gender. Yasmin as well as the other three female characters Harper and Daria are often seen being minimized within the work environment. Yasmin in particular is seen in “humbling” positions grabbing lunches for her superiors and being ignored for her professional opinions while simultaneously being objectified for her appearance. She finds herself learning how to assert herself because she is often forced to be seen and not heard.
Marisa Abela’s portrayal of Yasmin will allow many women who have experienced many of the several discomforts that come with being in a male-dominated space to feel seen. The portrayal of the diverse realities that take place in the workplace and the world as a whole feels authentic and raw.
Industry airs Monday evenings on HBO. Check out our exclusive chat with Marisa above!