‘The Photograph’ brings back memories

In writer and director Stella Meghie’s new film, The Photograph, she tells two intertwining love stories from the past and present. When New York-based photographer “Christina Eames” (Chante Adams) passes, her daughter is led to the discovery of her mother’s past life in the small town of Pointe a la Hache, Louisiana. (SYJ: 3/5)

Review written by FF2 Media intern Sophia Y. Jin

The Photograph opens with “Christina” (Chante Adams) being filmed, where a man behind the camera asks her questions about her new life in New York City ‘for posterity’. When asked about what she loves, she responds by saying she loves her work. She then hears a child in the background and adds to her answer that she loves being a mother. Her only regret is that she does not know how to express her love as fully as she feels it. 

Fast-forward 30 years to the present day, and journalist “Michael Block” (LaKeith Stanfield), shows up at “Isaac’s” (Rob Morgan) house, asking to interview him about an oil spillage. During the interview, Michael and Isaac talk about the photographs on Isaac’s mantlepiece. This turns into talking about long lost loves, involving Christina, who has been estranged from him for years after her move to New York. Isaac mentioned wanting to get back in touch with her, but seeing as it has been decades, he doesn’t know where to start. This is where Michael’s curiosity gets the better of him. On returning back to New York, he tracks down Christina’s work–photography–which is how he and “Mae” (Issa Rae) meet. Mae is a curator of a museum and just so happens to also be the daughter of the photographer in question. 

From here on, the love stories of (young) “Isaac” (Y’Lan Noel) and Christina from the past, and Michael and Mae in the present begin to unfold, parallel to each other. The Photograph shows how a stable relationship can crumble and disintegrate when two people have different aspirations. Was Christina supposed to stay in the small town, get married, and be a stay-at-home wife? She did not want that to be her fate, so she left town without saying goodbye. In the present, Mae and Michael explore their understanding of love and what they want in a relationship.

Stella Meghie’s new film The Photograph explores two different timelines. One where a photographer leaves to chase a dream in career, and another where two people chase love. There was a lack of a strong storyline. Considering the film is called The Photograph, there is not enough reference to a photograph and it does not have a solid storyline behind a photograph. It felt as though there wasn’t a clear point to this movie that would keep the audience engaged. The cinematography, however, was beautiful. The way in which the characters were captured through the camera was powerful. The film showed some parallels between the two time periods through subtle similarities in the camera shots.

©Sophia Y Jin 02/19/2020

Does The Photograph pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test?

Yes, the film talks about Christina and her photography.

Coach Katusha’s Comments:

The Photograph explores a romantic idea where curiosity and coincidence brings two people together and is guided by a love story from the past. Individual characters seem realistic and their acting quite natural, but there is not enough chemistry between the main present couple. I quite enjoyed Chanté Adams’ performance as Christina Eames–there was an enticing feeling to it! I find it odd how the male characters, Isaac and Michael, both look at their female counterparts with lust more so than love. Since my belief is that the original intent was for this movie to be about love and how it affects the decisions we make. I would have wanted to see more about the backstory of Christina’s relationship with “Louis Morton” (Courtney B. Vance) in New York, as that would have definitely been a very different sort of love to compare the others to. One thing I must mention about this movie is how much I enjoyed watching Black characters in a regular romantic drama film. So thank you Stella Meghie for that! (KIZJ: 3/5)

Avatar

By Sophia Jin

Sophia is currently a student of classical music. She joined FF2 Media in 2018, and loves working with everyone on the team because not only does it promote women's roles in films, it also opens her up to more works done by women. Sophia is so glad that there is a space that is full of women alike in their passion to bring more attention to females who are just as capable or even more capable than men in the industry.

116 comments

  1. Hey! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
    authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website goes over a lot of the
    same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from
    each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.

    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

  2. Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a
    look at and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me.
    Thanks, very nice post.

  3. naturally like your website but you have to test the spelling on several of
    your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues
    and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality then again I’ll surely come back again.

  4. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual effort to
    make a really good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot
    and don’t seem to get anything done.

  5. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade content from you in the
    future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now 😉

  6. Hi there friends, how is the whole thing, and what you
    would like to say about this piece of writing, in my view its in fact
    remarkable in support of me.

  7. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this
    website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities has
    motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉

  8. It is actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful
    information with us. Please stay us informed like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

  9. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognise what you are talking about!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally seek advice from my
    web site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us

  10. My brother recommended I may like this website. He was once totally right.
    This publish truly made my day. You cann’t consider just how much time I had spent for
    this information! Thank you!

  11. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web
    host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?

    I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  12. you’re in reality a just right webmaster. The site loading pace
    is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick.
    Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a wonderful task on this matter!

  13. I relish, lead to I found just what I used to be having a look
    for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt!
    God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  14. This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
    my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I
    really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
    it. Too cool!

  15. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like
    you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive
    the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog.

    An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

  16. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware
    of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that
    they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top
    and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could
    take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  17. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to
    safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?

  18. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop,
    just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and
    she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  19. Hey there I am so happy I found your blog, I
    really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Anyhow
    I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome
    b.

  20. I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found
    any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me.
    In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good
    content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  21. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this matter to be really something which I think I would
    never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  22. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more
    enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Excellent work!

  23. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The
    clarity on your post is just nice and that i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject.
    Well together with your permission allow me to seize your RSS
    feed to stay updated with drawing close post.
    Thank you a million and please carry on the
    enjoyable work.

  24. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who
    was doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it
    for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this
    matter here on your web site.

  25. I believe everything wrote was actually very logical.
    However, think about this, what if you wrote a catchier post title?
    I ain’t suggesting your content isn’t solid., but
    suppose you added something that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean ‘The
    Photograph’ brings back memories – FF2 Media is kinda
    vanilla. You ought to look at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write
    post titles to grab viewers to click. You might add a video or a related pic or two to get readers interested about what
    you’ve got to say. In my opinion, it would make your posts a little livelier.

  26. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I
    find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid
    others like you aided me.

  27. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I
    achievement you access consistently quickly.

  28. I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly allow me realize so that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  29. Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get
    home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my
    cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good blog!

  30. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly loved every bit of it.
    I have you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…

  31. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering problems with
    your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t join it.
    Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond?

    Thanx!!

  32. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly
    long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  33. Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your
    web site in internet explorer, might test this? IE still is the market chief and a
    huge component to other people will miss your fantastic writing due
    to this problem.

  34. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for
    me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  35. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger
    if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  36. Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
    several weeks of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

  37. It’s genuinely very complicated in this active life to listen news on TV, so I simply use world wide web for that purpose, and obtain the newest news.

  38. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your
    blog and will eventually come back at some point. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice
    day!

  39. Terrific work! That is the type of information that are meant to be
    shared around the net. Disgrace on the search engines for now
    not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and consult with my web site .
    Thank you =)

  40. Hi mates, how is the whole thing, and what you would like to say on the topic of this article, in my view its
    truly amazing in favor of me.

  41. It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all friends about this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.

  42. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading
    correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.

    I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers
    and both show the same outcome.

  43. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just
    your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    Nevertheless think about if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more,
    “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could definitely
    be one of the greatest in its niche. Excellent blog!

  44. Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with approximately all significant infos.

    I’d like to see more posts like this .

  45. Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire
    actually loved account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I fulfillment you access persistently fast.

  46. What’s up to all, how is the whole thing,
    I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are nice in favor of new users.

  47. Thanks , I have recently been searching for info about this topic
    for ages and yours is the best I have came upon so far.
    However, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the supply?

  48. Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better!

    Reading through this post reminds me of my previous
    roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I am going to send this article
    to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  49. Hi there friends, how is everything, and what you
    desire to say regarding this piece of writing, in my
    view its actually amazing designed for me.

  50. It’s amazing to visit this site and reading the views of all mates regarding this article, while I am also eager of getting knowledge.

  51. What’s upp to every one, the contents present at this web site are actuaally amazing for people experience, well, keep
    upp the nice work fellows.

    Feel frfee to visit my bllog post Pornhub

  52. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are now not actually a lott more
    neatly-liked than you may bbe now. You are
    very intelligent. You know thus signifjcantly on thhe subject of this matter, produced me in my opinion imagine it from so many various
    angles. Its likke women and men aren’t involved unless it’s one thing to do wityh Woman gaga!
    Your individual stufdfs outstanding. Alwayus take caree
    of it up!

    my blog: Pornhub guide

  53. Hello, i think that i saw you visited myy blog thus i came
    to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I
    suppose its ok to use a ffew of your ideas!!

    Feel free to surf to my web-site ::XVideos

  54. Hello, I doo think your blog may be having web browser
    compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your blog inn Safari, it looks
    fine however,if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I merely wanted to provide you with a quick headds up! Apart from that, fantastic
    site!

    My site; porn videos

  55. Hi! Thhis is my 1st comment here sso I just wanted to give a quick
    shout ouut and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts.
    Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics?

    Many thanks!

    Also visit my site … chaturbate69.fr

  56. Hello! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to
    make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my
    iphone 4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue.

    If you hafe any recommendations, please share.

    Appreciate it!

    My homepage :: best rated naked girls

  57. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images
    on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the
    blog. Anny feedback would be greatly appreciated.

    Here is my page :: Chaturbate

  58. I think that is among the most significant information for me.
    And i’m satisfied reading your article. But wanna remark on few
    general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is in point of
    fact great : D. Good process, cheers

  59. Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?

    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems
    with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  60. Superb post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte
    more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.

    Cheers!

  61. I ve had insane strength gains, and I know that by the end of my cycle I d really pushed on because my personal bests were all smashed to bits online cialis pharmacy A 17 lbs dog gets 5 mg of prednisolone a day and so does a dog who weighs 6

Leave a Reply to online slot machines Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *