Imitation of life movie shares of identify, race

KALAMAZOO (MICH.)- This weekend the Black Arts and Cultural Center will feature the classic film, “Imitation of Life.” The film stars Lana Turner, Sandra Dee, Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner and chronicles the life of a little girl whose fair skin allows her to ‘pass’ for white. The benefits she feels she can achieve in life with this identity leads her to a strained relationship with her mother whose black skin she is ashamed.

In this 1959 version (there was a 1934 film version) focuses on two widows and their troubled daughters as they struggle to find happiness amidst racial prejudice. Both Moore and Kohner were nominated for Oscars for Best Supporting Actress for their roles in this film

Artist James Watkins will host the presentation and conduct an audience discussion. View the film free at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 at the BACC located in the Epic Center, classroom 17, downtown Kalamazoo. For more information, call 269-349-1035.

Sonya Bernard-Hollins

Community Voices was founded in 2005 by James and Arlene Washington in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The weekly print publication provided a unique opportunity to inform the multicultural community of news important to them. In addition, it provided an affordable advertising source for small businesses in the community.