Critics Choice Association on Tuesday honored Black artists in cinema at the Celebration of Black Cinema event. Actor Chadwick Boseman, who died from colon cancer after a four-year battle with the disease in August 2020, was honored with the Performance of the Year Award for his portrayal of Levee in the film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Other Black actors, producers, and directors of the season, like Zendaya, John David Washington, Delroy Lindo, and Tessa Thompson, among others, were also honored.
The Celebration of Black Cinema honors @chadwickboseman with the Performance of the Year Award. His portrayal of Levee in @MaRaineyFilm is a breathtaking reminder of the late actor's captivating energy and emotional depth. His legacy lives on.#restinpower #blackcinema pic.twitter.com/FweLiYRvjZ
— Critics Choice (@CriticsChoice) February 3, 2021
GEORGE C WOLFE SAID CHADWICK BOSEMAN WAS AN AMAZING ARTIST
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom director George C Wolfe presented the late actor Chadwick Boseman with the Performance of the Year Award at the Critics Choice Association’s virtual annual celebration Of Black cinema.
Congratulations to screen legend and #blackcinema icon Delroy Lindo for receiving The Celebration of Black Cinema's Career Achievement Award! Mr. Lindo's career of critically acclaimed performances continued this past year, with his turn as Paul in Spike Lee's #Da5Bloods . pic.twitter.com/VFcLcyve79
— Critics Choice (@CriticsChoice) February 3, 2021
Talking about the Black Panther actor, Wolfe said, Chadwick Boseman was an amazing artist. We’ve all been thrilled, and excited, and overwhelmed by the depth of his work. He was so present, not just as an actor but he was present as a human being.
DELROY LINDO RECEIVES THE MARQUEE CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The ceremony honored Da 5 Blood star Delroy Lindo with the Marquee Career Achievement Award. He accepted it on behalf of the forgotten veterans whose contributions to American history have traditionally been overlooked. He said, “We’re in a time, I hope, in which the importance of the contributions of Black people, Africa descended people, the importance of those stories will come much more to the forefront and be included in the context of world history.”
ZENDAYA AND JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON GET NEXT-GEN AWARD
Zendaya and John David Washington were presented with the NextGen Award for their work in the upcoming film Malcolm & Marie.
Other honorees at the Celebration of Black Cinema included Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for his portrayal of Bobby Seale in The Trial of the Chicago 7, the cast of One Night in Miami for their ensemble performance, Judas and the Black Messiah director Shaka King, Olympian Tommie Smith, Andra Day for her portrayal of Billie Holiday and John Legend and Mike Jackson for their role as producers. The Critics Choice Association honored Tessa Thompson for her acting in Sylvie’s Love.
The Celebration of Black Cinema is proud to present the Social Justice Award to athlete, activist, and icon Tommie Smith. In the documentary With Drawn Arms, Dr. Smith reflects on his journey to the 1968 Olympic podium and his legacy of becoming ‘the man behind the fist’. pic.twitter.com/D8dzq64XPq
— Critics Choice (@CriticsChoice) February 3, 2021
ABOUT CHADWICK BOSEMAN
Chadwick Boseman was a Black American who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown in his films. However, the actor is best known for playing the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe. In August 2020, Boseman died of cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 43.
