The Untold Truth Of Ava DuVernay

Publish date: 2024-03-28

As Ava DuVernay's star rose and her critical acclaim grew, Oprah Winfrey was not the only Black icon to get in touch with her in hopes of harnessing the director's talents. When rap mogul Jay-Z released his 2017 album "4:44," he enlisted DuVernay to direct the music video for "Family Feud." Described as "visually stunning" by Vanity Fair, it takes viewers on a time-traveling journey spanning four centuries. It's bolstered by a star-studded cast; in addition to Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé, there are appearances by Michael B. Jordan, Thandwie Newton, Jessica Chastain, Trevante Rhodes, Rosario Dawson, Susan Kelechi Watson, and others. Jay-Z Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy, even makes a cameo. 

In an interview with Power 105.1 FM's "The Breakfast Club," DuVernay revealed how she became involved, recalling being "stunned" when she answered a call and heard "Jay-Z's voice on the other line." Her initial fear, she admitted, was feeling like she might be incapable of making "something cool enough for" the rapper and his wife. But she added, "It was really, really fun to do, and he gave me a lot of freedom to do it." 

DuVernay's work on the video was met with rave reviews. "Stunning cinematography paired with elaborate costumes straight out of a Baroque painting makes the video one of the best of the year," wrote Blavity, while British GQ praised DuVernay for "delivering a poignant story of family, power, race and gender spanning generations of Black voices."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZmb2xjaH14e9OhnGatnqm8rbCMramurJhivKd5wK%2BYZpylq7KzusCyZg%3D%3D