Compton native and renowned film director Ava DuVernay invited students from her hometown to #WrinkleInCompton, an advance screening of her upcoming Disney film A Wrinkle in Time coming to theaters March 9, 2018.
Since the city of Compton does not have movie theater of its own, Ava wanted to give the students from Compton a real movie theater experience. On Friday March 2, 2018 Ava turned the Dollarhide Community Center into a makeshift movie theater where students were treated to traditional movie theater refreshments.
The chairs were in typical movie theater configuration and Ava even enlisted a special sound team to make sure the sound quality would be the same as it is in theaters.
Before watching the movie, the children were greeted by Malia Mason, Miss Compton 2017 and heard a Q&A between Ava DuVernay and the Mayor of Compton, Aja Brown. Mayor Brown first asked Ava about her motivation for making Wrinkle, to which Ava responded, “I’ve never seen a black girl fly in a movie.”
She elaborated by saying that she wanted black and brown kids to finally see themselves represented in a fantasy setting. When asked how she felt about being the first black woman to helm a 100 million dollar film, Ava responded by saying, “I’m the first black woman to do it but I know I won’t be the last, one of you can do it too.” The kids erupted in cheers.
The children loved every minute of the film and went home with A Wrinkle in Time swag like backpacks, balls, and books.
