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{{Short description|2020 film by Angel Kristi Williams}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Really Love
| image = Really_Love_2020.png
| image = Really_Love_2020.png
| alt = The film poster shows a close-up of lead actors Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Kofi Siriboe lying down on their backs with their heads facing opposite directions.
| alt = The film poster shows a close-up of lead actors Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Kofi Siriboe lying down on their backs with their heads facing opposite directions.
| caption =
| caption =
| native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| director = [[Angel Kristi Williams]]
| director = Angel Kristi Williams
| writer = [[Felicia Pride]] <br> Angel Kristi Williams
| writer = [[Felicia Pride]] <br> Angel Kristi Williams
| screenplay = Felicia Pride
| screenplay = Felicia Pride
| story =
| story =
| producer = [[Stephanie Allain]] <br> [[Kim Coleman]] <br> Latisha Fortune <br> Sanford Grimes <br> Poppy Hanks <br> [[Mel Jones]] <br> Charles D. King <br> [[Kim Roth]] <br> Aaliyah Williams <br> Angel Kristi Williams
| producer = [[Mel Jones]] <br> Charles D. King <br> Kim Roth <br> Aaliyah Williams <br> Angel Kristi Williams
| starring = Kofi Siriboe <br> Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing <br> [[Blair Underwood]] <br> [[Uzo Aduba]] <br> [[Tristan Wilds|Tristan Mack Wilds]]
| starring = [[Kofi Siriboe]]<br>Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing<br>[[Uzo Aduba]]<br>[[Tristan Wilds|Mack Wilds]]<br>[[Naturi Naughton]]<br>[[Suzzanne Douglas]]<br>[[Jade Eshete]]<br>[[Blair Underwood]]<br>[[Michael Ealy]]
| narrator =
| cinematography = Shawn Peters
| cinematography = Shawn Peters
| editing = Steven Pristin <br> Brian Ufberg
| editing = Steven Pristin <br> Brian Ufberg
| music =
| music = Khari Mateen
| production_companies = MACRO <br> Homegrown Productions
| production_companies = MACRO <br> Homegrown Productions
| distributor = [[Netflix]]
| distributor = [[Netflix]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes/no|2020|October|15|[[American Film Institute Awards|AFI]] Film Festival|2021|8|25|Netflix}}
| released = {{Film date|2020|October|15|[[American Film Institute Awards|AFI]] Film Festival|2021|8|25|Netflix}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = American
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Really Love''''' is a 2020 American romantic drama film directed by [[Angel Kristi Williams]] and co-written by [[Felicia Pride]]. The film is set in Washington, D.C. and centers the romance between a struggling artist ([[Kofi Siriboe]]) and an ambitious law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing). ''Really Love'' debuted in October 2020 at [[AFI Film Festival]].
'''''Really Love''''' is a 2020 American [[romantic drama]] film directed by [[Angel Kristi Williams]] and co-written with [[Felicia Pride]]. The film is set in Washington, D.C., and centers the romance between a struggling artist ([[Kofi Siriboe]]) and an ambitious law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing). ''Really Love'' debuted in October 2020 at [[AFI Film Festival]]. It received mainly positive critical reception and leads Wong-Loi-Sing and Siriboe received a Special Jury Recognition for Acting at [[South by Southwest]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
"Set in a gentrifying [[Washington, D.C.]], a rising Black painter tries to break into a competitive art world, while balancing a whirlwind romance he never expected."<ref name=metacritic>{{Cite web|title=Really Love|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/really-love|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-20|website=Metacritic}}</ref>
"Set in a gentrifying [[Washington, D.C.]], a rising Black painter tries to break into a competitive art world, while balancing a whirlwind romance he never expected."<ref name=metacritic>{{Cite web|title=Really Love|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/really-love|access-date=2021-08-20|website=Metacritic}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Kofi Siriboe]] as Isaiah, a struggling artist
* [[Kofi Siriboe]] as Isaiah Maxwell, a struggling artist
* Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Stevie, an ambitious law student
* Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Stevie Richmond, an ambitious law student
* [[Blair Underwood]] as Jerome, Stevie's Father
* [[Blair Underwood]] as Jerome Richmond, Stevie's Father
* [[Uzo Aduba]] as Chenai Hungwe
* [[Uzo Aduba]] as Chenai Hungwe
* [[Tristan Wilds|Tristan Mack Wilds]] as Nick, Isaiah's friend since childhood
* [[Tristan Wilds|Mack Wilds]] as Nick Wright, Isaiah's friend since childhood
* [[Naturi Naughton]] as Sicily, Stevie's cousin
* [[Naturi Naughton]] as Sicily Richmond, Stevie's cousin
* [[Suzzanne Douglas]] as Anne, Stevie's mother
* [[Suzzanne Douglas]] as Anne Richmond, Stevie's mother
* [[Michael Ealy]] as Yusef Davis, Isaiah's colleague
* [[Michael Ealy]] as Yusef Davis, Isaiah's colleague
* [[Jade Eshete]] as Mecca Gerima
* Gina Jun
* [[Jade Eshete]] as Mecca
* [[GoldLink]] as himself
* Marla Aaron Wapner
<ref name="filmthreat">{{cite web|last1=Saveliev|first1=Alex|date=2020-10-17|title=Really Love|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/really-love/2/|url-status=live|access-date=21 August 2021|website=Film Threat}}</ref>


== Production ==
== Production ==
''Really Love'' is director [[Angel Kristi Williams]]' feature film debut and [[Felicia Pride]]'s debut screenplay.<ref name="filmthreat" /> The two met through a mutual friend, after which Pride showed Williams the ''Really Love'' screenplay and invited her to direct the project.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Penrice|first=Ronda Racha|date=2021-08-25|title=Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Mack Wilds, Stars of 'Really Love,' Speak On Showing Our Journey To Forever|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/kofi-siriboe-yootha-wong-loi-sing-and-mack-wilds-stars-of-netflixs-really-love-speak-on-showing-our-journey-to-forever/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-25|website=EBONY|language=en-US}}</ref>
''Really Love'' is director Angel Kristi Williams' feature film debut and [[Felicia Pride]]'s debut screenplay.<ref name="filmthreat" /> The two met through a mutual friend, after which Pride showed Williams the ''Really Love'' screenplay and invited her to direct the project.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Penrice|first=Ronda Racha|date=2021-08-25|title=Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Mack Wilds, Stars of 'Really Love,' Speak On Showing Our Journey To Forever|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/kofi-siriboe-yootha-wong-loi-sing-and-mack-wilds-stars-of-netflixs-really-love-speak-on-showing-our-journey-to-forever/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=EBONY|language=en-US}}</ref>


Williams stated that she was inspired by films including ''[[In the Mood for Love|In the Mood For Love]]'', ''[[Blue Valentine (film)|Blue Valentine]],'' and ''[[Love Jones (film)|Love Jones]]''.<ref name="latoct" /> The production designer was Nathan Parker and the cinematographer was Shawn Peters.<ref name="latoct" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Weiss|first=Max|date=2021-08-25|title=Director Angel Kristi Williams Discusses Baltimore’s Influence on Her Film ‘Really Love’|url=https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/artsentertainment/really-love-director-angel-kristi-williams-discusses-baltimores-influence-on-her-film/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Baltimore Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> It was produced and financed by Homegrown Pictures and Charles D. King's production company MACRO.<ref name="latoct" /> The artwork done by Isaiah in the film was created by artists Gerald Lovell, Chanel Compton, and Ronald Jackson.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
Williams stated that she was inspired by films including ''[[In the Mood for Love|In the Mood For Love]]'', ''[[Blue Valentine (film)|Blue Valentine]],'' and ''[[Love Jones (film)|Love Jones]]''.<ref name="latoct" /> The production designer was Nathan Parker and the cinematographer was Shawn Peters.<ref name="latoct" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Weiss|first=Max|date=2021-08-25|title=Director Angel Kristi Williams Discusses Baltimore's Influence on Her Film 'Really Love'|url=https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/artsentertainment/really-love-director-angel-kristi-williams-discusses-baltimores-influence-on-her-film/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Baltimore Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> It was produced and financed by Homegrown Pictures and Charles D. King's production company MACRO.<ref name="latoct" /> The artwork done by Isaiah in the film was created by artists Gerald Lovell, Chanel Compton, and Ronald Jackson.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />


On July 8, 2018 it was announced that [[Kofi Siriboe]] was cast in a lead role in the film.<ref name=deadlinejuly2018>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-18|title=‘Queen Sugar’s Kofi Siriboe To Star In ‘Really Love’ Film From MACRO & Director Angel Kristi Williams|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/queen-sugar-kofi-siriboe-really-love-macro-angel-kristi-williams-1202428741/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Uzo Aduba]], [[Naturi Naughton]], [[Tristan Wilds]], Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing, and [[Jade Eshete]] were announced as cast members on July 26, 2018.<ref name=deadlinejuly2>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-26|title=Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing & More Round Out Cast For MACRO’s ‘Really Love’|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/uzo-aduba-naturi-naughton-yootha-wong-loi-sing-macro-really-love-movie-1202434493/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Michael Ealy]] was announced on July 31, 2018.<ref name=deadlinejuly3>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-31|title=Michael Ealy Boards ‘Really Love’ Romance Film From MACRO|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/michael-ealy-really-love-cast-macro-1202437058/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> The film is one of the last projects completed by Suzzanne Douglas prior to her death in 2021.<ref name=":0" />
On July 8, 2018 it was announced that [[Kofi Siriboe]] was cast in a lead role in the film.<ref name=deadlinejuly2018>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-18|title='Queen Sugar's Kofi Siriboe To Star In 'Really Love' Film From MACRO & Director Angel Kristi Williams|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/queen-sugar-kofi-siriboe-really-love-macro-angel-kristi-williams-1202428741/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Uzo Aduba]], [[Naturi Naughton]], [[Tristan Wilds]], Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing, and [[Jade Eshete]] were announced as cast members on July 26, 2018.<ref name=deadlinejuly2>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-26|title=Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing & More Round Out Cast For MACRO's 'Really Love'|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/uzo-aduba-naturi-naughton-yootha-wong-loi-sing-macro-really-love-movie-1202434493/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Michael Ealy]] was announced on July 31, 2018.<ref name=deadlinejuly3>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-07-31|title=Michael Ealy Boards 'Really Love' Romance Film From MACRO|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/michael-ealy-really-love-cast-macro-1202437058/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> The film is one of the last projects completed by Suzzanne Douglas prior to her death in 2021.<ref name=":0" />


The film was shot beginning in July 2018 on-location in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as in [[Baltimore]], Williams' hometown.<ref name="deadlinejuly2018" /> Shooting locations included the [[Baltimore Museum of Art]], the [[Baltimore School for the Arts]], the [[Parkway Theatre (Baltimore)|Parkway Theatre]], Dovecote Cafe, and Williams' grandmother's home in [[Park Heights, Baltimore|Park Heights]].<ref name=":1" />
The film was shot beginning in July 2018 on-location in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as in [[Baltimore]], Williams' hometown.<ref name="deadlinejuly2018" /> Shooting locations included the [[Baltimore Museum of Art]], the [[Baltimore School for the Arts]], the [[Parkway Theatre (Baltimore)|Parkway Theatre]], Dovecote Cafe, and Williams' grandmother's home in [[Park Heights, Baltimore|Park Heights]].<ref name=":1" />


== Release ==
== Release ==
The film was originally set to premiere at [[South by Southwest]] in March 2020. However, after the festival was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], it debuted at [[American Film Institute|AFI]]'s virtual film festival in October 2020.<ref name=latoct>{{Cite web|last=Olsen|first=Mark|date=2020-10-15|title=This year's AFI Fest is virtual and open to all. Here's what you need to know|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-10-15/afi-fest-virtual|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
The film was originally set to premiere at [[South by Southwest]] in March 2020. However, after the festival was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], it debuted at [[American Film Institute|AFI]]'s virtual film festival in October 2020.<ref name=latoct>{{Cite web|last=Olsen|first=Mark|date=2020-10-15|title=This year's AFI Fest is virtual and open to all. Here's what you need to know|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-10-15/afi-fest-virtual|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Really Love'' began streaming on [[Netflix]] on August 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mangum |first=Trey |date=2021-07-27 |title='Really Love': Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Romance Film To Debut In August On Netflix |url=https://shadowandact.com/really-love-kofi-siriboe-and-yootha-wong-loi-sing-romance-film-to-debut-in-august-on-netflix |access-date=2021-08-21 |website=Shadow and Act |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Okla |date=2021-08-20 |title=First Look: Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Star In 'Really Love' |url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/first-look-angel-kristi-williams-really-love-is-a-romantic-film-for-the-ages/ |access-date=2021-08-21 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
== Soundtrack ==
''Really Love'' began streaming on [[Netflix]] on August 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mangum|first=Trey|date=2021-07-27|title='Really Love': Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Romance Film To Debut In August On Netflix|url=https://shadowandact.com/really-love-kofi-siriboe-and-yootha-wong-loi-sing-romance-film-to-debut-in-august-on-netflix|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Shadow and Act|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Okla|date=2021-08-20|title=First Look: Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Star In 'Really Love'|url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/first-look-angel-kristi-williams-really-love-is-a-romantic-film-for-the-ages/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Essence|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
The official soundtrack with an original jazz score composed by Khari Mateen was released on September 17, 2021.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Abraham|first=Mya|date=2021-09-16|title=Netflix's 'Really Love' To Release Official Soundtrack By Composer Khari Mateen|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/netflix-really-love-soundtrack-announcement-1234628954/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=VIBE.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Screenwriter [[Felicia Pride]] said the soundtrack's ambiance was influenced by tracks like "Sumthin Sumthin (Mellosmoothe)" by [[Maxwell (musician)|Maxwell]] from the film ''[[Love Jones (film)|Love Jones]]''.<ref name=":2" /> [[Ari Lennox]], [[Kamasi Washington]], [[Christian Scott (musician)|Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah]], and others appear in ''Really Love''.<ref name=":0" />


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
{{RT data|prose}}<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Really Love|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}}|type=m|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=dmy}}}}</ref>
''Really Love'' received positive reception. On the review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 86% of 7 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Really Love|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}}|type=m|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=dmy}}}}</ref>


In a review for [[Film Threat|''Film Threat'']], Alex Saveliev compared the film to ''[[If Beale Street Could Talk (film)|If Beale Street Could Talk]]'' and praised it as a "gentle, poignant examination of two young people at the dawn of self-discovery".<ref name="filmthreat" /> In a similarly positive review, Robert Daniels wrote for ''The Playlist'', "“Really Love” is a timeless black romance. Kristi Williams is an assured new voice already nestling herself inside audiences’ hearts."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Daniels|first=Robert|date=2020-10-17|title='Really Love': Angel Kristi Williams' Debut Is A Timeless Black Romance [AFI Review]|url=https://theplaylist.net/really-love-afi-review-20201017/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=theplaylist.net}}</ref>
In a review for ''[[Film Threat]]'', Alex Saveliev compared the film to ''[[If Beale Street Could Talk (film)|If Beale Street Could Talk]]'' and praised it as a "gentle, poignant examination of two young people at the dawn of self-discovery".<ref name="filmthreat">{{cite web|last1=Saveliev|first1=Alex|date=2020-10-17|title=Really Love|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/really-love/2/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=Film Threat}}</ref> In a similarly positive review, Robert Daniels wrote for ''The Playlist'', "“Really Love” is a timeless black romance. Kristi Williams is an assured new voice already nestling herself inside audiences’ hearts."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Daniels|first=Robert|date=2020-10-17|title='Really Love': Angel Kristi Williams' Debut Is A Timeless Black Romance [AFI Review]|url=https://theplaylist.net/really-love-afi-review-20201017/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=theplaylist.net}}</ref>

⚫
== Soundtrack ==
⚫
The official soundtrack with an original jazz score composed by Khari Mateen is scheduled for release on September 17, 2021.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Abraham|first=Mya|date=2021-09-16|title=Netflix’s ‘Really Love’ To Release Official Soundtrack By Composer Khari Mateen|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/netflix-really-love-soundtrack-announcement-1234628954/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-16|website=VIBE.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Screenwriter Felicia Pride said the soundtrack's ambiance was influenced by tracks like "Sumthin Sumthin (Mellosmoothe)" by Maxwell from the film ''[[Love Jones (film)|Love Jones]]''.<ref name=":2" /> [[Ari Lennox]], [[Kamasi Washington]], [[Christian Scott|Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah]], and others appear in ''Really Love''.<ref name=":0" />


== Awards and nominations ==
== Awards and nominations ==
=== 2020 [[Sxsw|SXSW]] ===
⚫
Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and [[Kofi Siriboe]] received a Special Jury Recognition for Acting at [[South by Southwest]].<ref name=latmarch>{{Cite web|last=Olsen|first=Mark|date=2020-03-24|title=Canceled by coronavirus outbreak, SXSW Film Festival names award winners|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-03-24/sxsw-film-festival-awards-coronavirus-canceled|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Nominee, Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature – Angel Kristi Williams<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Shadow and Act |title='Really Love' Wins SXSW Jury Award For Acting |url=https://shadowandact.com/really-love-wins-sxsw-jury-award-for-acting |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Shadow and Act |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
* Winners, Special Jury Recognition for Acting – Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and [[Kofi Siriboe]]<ref name="latmarch">{{Cite web |last=Olsen |first=Mark |date=2020-03-24 |title=Canceled by coronavirus outbreak, SXSW Film Festival names award winners |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-03-24/sxsw-film-festival-awards-coronavirus-canceled |access-date=2021-08-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 72: Line 70:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=tt8722624}}
* {{Netflix title}}
* {{Netflix title|81397545}}
* {{IMDb title}}


<!--- Categories --->
<!--- Categories --->

⚫
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:2020 drama films]]
[[Category:2020 drama films]]
[[Category:2020 films]]
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:African-American drama films]]
[[Category:African-American romantic drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:African-American romance films]]
[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:2020 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:2020 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:2020 independent films]]
[[Category:2020 independent films]]
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:2020s American films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]

Latest revision as of 04:46, 28 September 2024

Really Love
The film poster shows a close-up of lead actors Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Kofi Siriboe lying down on their backs with their heads facing opposite directions.
Directed byAngel Kristi Williams
Written byFelicia Pride
Angel Kristi Williams
Screenplay byFelicia Pride
Produced byMel Jones
Charles D. King
Kim Roth
Aaliyah Williams
Angel Kristi Williams
StarringKofi Siriboe
Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing
Uzo Aduba
Mack Wilds
Naturi Naughton
Suzzanne Douglas
Jade Eshete
Blair Underwood
Michael Ealy
CinematographyShawn Peters
Edited bySteven Pristin
Brian Ufberg
Music byKhari Mateen
Production
companies
MACRO
Homegrown Productions
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • October 15, 2020 (2020-October-15) (AFI Film Festival)
  • August 25, 2021 (2021-08-25) (Netflix)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Really Love is a 2020 American romantic drama film directed by Angel Kristi Williams and co-written with Felicia Pride. The film is set in Washington, D.C., and centers the romance between a struggling artist (Kofi Siriboe) and an ambitious law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing). Really Love debuted in October 2020 at AFI Film Festival. It received mainly positive critical reception and leads Wong-Loi-Sing and Siriboe received a Special Jury Recognition for Acting at South by Southwest.

Plot

[edit]

"Set in a gentrifying Washington, D.C., a rising Black painter tries to break into a competitive art world, while balancing a whirlwind romance he never expected."[1]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Really Love is director Angel Kristi Williams' feature film debut and Felicia Pride's debut screenplay.[2] The two met through a mutual friend, after which Pride showed Williams the Really Love screenplay and invited her to direct the project.[3]

Williams stated that she was inspired by films including In the Mood For Love, Blue Valentine, and Love Jones.[4] The production designer was Nathan Parker and the cinematographer was Shawn Peters.[4][5] It was produced and financed by Homegrown Pictures and Charles D. King's production company MACRO.[4] The artwork done by Isaiah in the film was created by artists Gerald Lovell, Chanel Compton, and Ronald Jackson.[5][3]

On July 8, 2018 it was announced that Kofi Siriboe was cast in a lead role in the film.[6] Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton, Tristan Wilds, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing, and Jade Eshete were announced as cast members on July 26, 2018.[7] Michael Ealy was announced on July 31, 2018.[8] The film is one of the last projects completed by Suzzanne Douglas prior to her death in 2021.[3]

The film was shot beginning in July 2018 on-location in Washington, D.C., as well as in Baltimore, Williams' hometown.[6] Shooting locations included the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore School for the Arts, the Parkway Theatre, Dovecote Cafe, and Williams' grandmother's home in Park Heights.[5]

Release

[edit]

The film was originally set to premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020. However, after the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it debuted at AFI's virtual film festival in October 2020.[4] Really Love began streaming on Netflix on August 25, 2021.[9][10]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The official soundtrack with an original jazz score composed by Khari Mateen was released on September 17, 2021.[11] Screenwriter Felicia Pride said the soundtrack's ambiance was influenced by tracks like "Sumthin Sumthin (Mellosmoothe)" by Maxwell from the film Love Jones.[11] Ari Lennox, Kamasi Washington, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, and others appear in Really Love.[3]

Reception

[edit]

Really Love received positive reception. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 7 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[12]

In a review for Film Threat, Alex Saveliev compared the film to If Beale Street Could Talk and praised it as a "gentle, poignant examination of two young people at the dawn of self-discovery".[2] In a similarly positive review, Robert Daniels wrote for The Playlist, "“Really Love” is a timeless black romance. Kristi Williams is an assured new voice already nestling herself inside audiences’ hearts."[13]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

2020 SXSW

[edit]
  • Nominee, Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature – Angel Kristi Williams[14]
  • Winners, Special Jury Recognition for Acting – Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Kofi Siriboe[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Really Love". Metacritic. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Saveliev, Alex (October 17, 2020). "Really Love". Film Threat. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Penrice, Ronda Racha (August 25, 2021). "Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing and Mack Wilds, Stars of 'Really Love,' Speak On Showing Our Journey To Forever". EBONY. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Olsen, Mark (October 15, 2020). "This year's AFI Fest is virtual and open to all. Here's what you need to know". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Weiss, Max (August 25, 2021). "Director Angel Kristi Williams Discusses Baltimore's Influence on Her Film 'Really Love'". Baltimore Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (July 18, 2018). "'Queen Sugar's Kofi Siriboe To Star In 'Really Love' Film From MACRO & Director Angel Kristi Williams". Deadline. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 26, 2018). "Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing & More Round Out Cast For MACRO's 'Really Love'". Deadline. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 31, 2018). "Michael Ealy Boards 'Really Love' Romance Film From MACRO". Deadline. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Mangum, Trey (July 27, 2021). "'Really Love': Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Romance Film To Debut In August On Netflix". Shadow and Act. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Jones, Okla (August 20, 2021). "First Look: Kofi Siriboe And Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing Star In 'Really Love'". Essence. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Abraham, Mya (September 16, 2021). "Netflix's 'Really Love' To Release Official Soundtrack By Composer Khari Mateen". VIBE.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "Really Love". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  13. ^ Daniels, Robert (October 17, 2020). "'Really Love': Angel Kristi Williams' Debut Is A Timeless Black Romance [AFI Review]". theplaylist.net. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  14. ^ Staff, Shadow and Act. "'Really Love' Wins SXSW Jury Award For Acting". Shadow and Act. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Olsen, Mark (March 24, 2020). "Canceled by coronavirus outbreak, SXSW Film Festival names award winners". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
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