Here is an excerpt from Jenkins’ statement on the film: Jenkins goes on to explain that he was inspired by the celebrated painter Kerry James Marshall, in particular his portrait of African American artist Scipio Moorhead. He also says that short includes an original score by Nicholas Brittell, who composed both of Jenkins’ feature films, “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk. I don’t remember when we began making the piece you see here. Which is not and should not be considered an episode of ‘The Underground Railroad.’ It exists apart from that, outside it. Early in production, there was a moment where I looked across the set and what I saw settled me: our background actors, in working with folks like Ms. Wendy and Mr. and Mrs. King – styled and dressed and made up by Caroline, by Lawrence and Donnie – I looked across the set and realized I was looking at my ancestors, a group of people whose images have been largely lost to the historical record. Without thinking, we paused production on the ‘The Underground Railroad’ and instead harnessed our tools to capture portraits of… them.”
“The Underground Railroad” will premiere on Prime on Friday, May 14. Watch “The Gaze” below. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
