In episode 25 The Boston Sisters feature Amma Asante’s feature film BELLE by listener request from JOANNE FORT, an attorney living in Atlanta, Georgia. Joanne shares why she wanted the podcast to feature BELLE. We invited London-based figurative painter GLORY SAMJOLLY, to talk about the film and the story behind the portrait of the real-life Dido Elizabeth Belle (with her cousin Elizabeth). As founder of the social media platform Black Aristocrat Art, Glory brings her insights on depictions of Black women and men of the aristocracy in historical European art.

BELLE is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a mixed-race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and an enslaved African woman who is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson) in 18th century England. Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from receiving the benefits of noble social standing. Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013; in the U.S. in 2014.

TIMESTAMPS 

1:19 Intro to BELLE by Request

1:56 Belle Film Synopsis

3:11 Listener Joanne Fort - what makes Belle special

5:34 Glory Samjolly, Black Aristocrat Art

6:44 Glory's introduction to Dido Elizabeth Belle film and portrait

9:16 Black presence in European portraiture

13:40 Interpreting Belle's portrait

20:03 Joanne Fort's Turban Question for Glory Samjolly

21:32 Exoticizing the Black Image in European Portraiture

29:06 Break

30:00 Interpreting the Mysteries of Black Portraiture

37:15 Learning Black History in the UK

41:23 Glory's Dream: A Black Aristocrat Portrait Gallery

45:10 Special Commission: Painting A History Globe

49:15 Art to Change the Psychology of Black History

52:02 Lightning Round: Bourgeoisie fashion in 18th Century France, Headphones, Paint Brush, Turpentine

57:05 Where to Find Amma Asante's “Belle” (2014) Film

58:05 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters Contact Info

Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013, and in the U.S. in 2014.

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