Chris Rock’s highly anticipated doc ‘Good Hair’ is finally coming to theatres on October 9th. However, if you happen to live or are in Toronto, for the Toronto International Film Festival coming up at the beginning of September -- the 95 minute doc will have its Canadian Premiere screening. No official word yet on dates and times or whether Rock will be in attendance -- will keep you posted.
DOC DESCRIPTION
When Chris Rocks daughter, Lola, came up to him crying and asked, Daddy, how come I dont have good hair? the bewildered comic committed himself to search the ends of the earth and the depths of black culture to find out who had put that question into his little girl’s head! Director Jeff Stilsons camera followed the funnyman, and the result is Good Hair, a wonderfully insightful and entertaining, yet remarkably serious, documentary about African American hair culture.An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, Good Hair visits hair salons and styling battles, scientific laboratories, and Indian temples to explore the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of black people. Celebrities such as Ice-T, Kerry Washington, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Maya Angelou, and Reverend Al Sharpton all candidly offer their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughters question. What he discovers is that black hair is a big business that doesnt always benefit the black community and little Lolas question might well be bigger than his ability to convince her that the stuff on top of her head is nowhere near as important as what is inside.
Are you a weave wearer? Well have you ever wondered who’s hair your wearing? Well there is a new doc called Hair India that’s showing at Hot Docs (April 30th -- May 10th) in Toronto that might reveal the answers. Take a look:
DOC SYNOPSIS
India has always been praised for her idyllic standard of beauty, from women’s saris to her skin and hair. But now, even she has undergone a Western makeover. Hair India takes outsourcing to a new level in this fascinating exposé of a lucrative Indian export: hair. It begins in West Bengal where a young girl donates her hair to the temple. The hair is then sorted by an assembly line of women (with the sound of their bangles keeping rhythm), and sold to Great Lengths, an Italian company that sells the plaits as hair extensions to wealthy women around the world. Along the way, we meet the players, from the hair donors and dealers to Sangreeta, who represents the modern Indian working woman and the Westernization of India’s beauty standards. Hair India effortlessly illustrates how globalization, marketing of vanity, and traditional rituals can all contribute to create a lucrative enterprise. Karina Rotenstein.
I’m really liking actress Hayley Marie Norman’s curls. She’s had a slew of roles in movies like Hancock, Norbit, Studio 60, but she’s probably most recognized for holding briefcase #25 on Deal or No Deal. Born and raised in LA -- Hayley is an exotic mix of African-American, Russian and German. And interestingly enough, as a child she was the face of the African-AmericanBarbiedoll. Next week, Hayley will be returning to the big screen as ‘Angela’ in the high school comedy “Fired Up”.
If you peeped the extended featurette, you see that Ms Norman is rocking her naturally curly fro in all its glory. Hayley creates these curls by using Kinky Curly products -- I love them too! This is what she told Brian X about her natural hair back in 2007:
Is there any particular significance to your trademark afro?
Yes, there is. I’ve worn my hair natural my entire life. There were several times in school I was
ridiculed for it, and up until a couple years ago, I soo badly wanted to straighten my hair. But, thank
God, my mom wouldn’t let me touch it! It has only been the past couple years that I’ve truly embraced my hair. Believe it or not, I’ve had several work related instances where people have asked me to straighten my hair because they believe it is sexier, or more acceptable. I flat out refuse to work with people who have such small minds. A huge men’s magazine wanted to feature me, only if I wore my hair straight, and I told them absolutely not. I want to let other people who are afraid of wearing their hair natural, know that not only should they, but that it is damn hot! And, I hope I am changing the stereotype, one straight hair at a time!
Yes, its true! Essence’s March coveer girl revealed she WILL be shaving her lovely locks for a role in ‘Nappily Ever After’ - a romantic comedy she’s set to star in.
She told the mag:
I’m shaving it off! I know. Here comes the controversy, but… it’ll grow back – I hope!”
She also says that she wants her daughter Nahla to be proud of her film choices and never wants her to think her mom sold out.
Good on your Halle. I seriously don’t think I could part with my locks – but I guess if you are getting paid millions anything is possible.
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