Julie Dash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julie Dash
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Dash in 2020
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| Born | October 22, 1952 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Education | City College of New York (BA) American Film Institute (MFA) University of California, Los Angeles (MFA) |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter, visual artists |
| Years active | 1973–present |
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Notable work
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Daughters of the Dust (1991) |
| Spouse(s) | Arthur Jafa (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
Julie Ethel Dash (born October 22, 1952) is an American filmmaker, director, and writer. She is famous for her work in movies, music videos, and television. Dash is known for telling powerful stories about African-American women and their history.
Dash was part of a group of filmmakers called the L.A. Rebellion. These were some of the first Black students to study film at the UCLA. They wanted to change Hollywood by making movies that told real and original stories about Black people.
Her most famous movie, Daughters of the Dust (1991), was a major achievement. It was the first full-length movie directed by an African-American woman to be shown in theaters across the United States. Because of its importance, the movie was added to the National Film Registry in 2004. This means it is protected as a national treasure. The film even inspired parts of Beyoncé's famous 2016 album, Lemonade.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Julie Dash was born in Queens, New York City. She grew up in the Queensbridge housing project. As a young student, she was interested in psychology. However, she soon discovered her passion for filmmaking and switched her studies. In 1974, she earned a degree in film production from the City College of New York.
After college, Dash moved to Los Angeles to continue her education. She studied at the American Film Institute and later at the famous UCLA Film School. At UCLA, she joined other Black filmmakers in the L.A. Rebellion movement. During this time, she made several short films that won awards and showed her unique style.
Career in Filmmaking
Dash was inspired by Black women authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. She wanted to create movies that felt like their books. She decided to focus on telling stories, or narratives, instead of just making documentaries.
Important Early Films
Four Women (1975)
This short film is based on a song by Nina Simone. It uses a dancer to show four different types of Black women. Each character represents a different experience, from slavery to overcoming hardship. The film challenges stereotypes and asks the audience to think about their own views.
Illusions (1982)
This film is set in a Hollywood movie studio during the 1940s. It tells the story of Mignon Duprée, a Black woman who has been passing as white to work as a studio executive. Another character, Ester Jeeter, is a Black singer whose voice is used for a white movie star.
The film explores how Hollywood creates illusions, or false images. It also looks at the struggles of Black women trying to succeed in a world that discriminates against them. Illusions won several awards and was also selected for the National Film Registry in 2020.
Breakthrough Film: Daughters of the Dust
Dash's most celebrated work is Daughters of the Dust. The story was inspired by her own family's history. Her father's family were Gullah people from the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. The Gullah people are known for keeping strong connections to their African culture, traditions, and language.
The movie, set in 1902, is about the Peazant family. They are thinking about leaving their island home to move to the mainland. The film explores their memories, their relationships, and the importance of their heritage. It features beautiful visuals and a unique storytelling style that does not follow a straight line.
Daughters of the Dust won an award for its cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival. It was praised for its beauty and for using the Gullah dialect. Dash later wrote two books related to the film: one about how it was made, and a novel that continues the story.
Work in Television and Music Videos
After the success of Daughters of the Dust, Dash began working in television. She has directed several TV movies, including:
- Funny Valentines (1999)
- Love Song (2000), starring the singer Monica.
- The Rosa Parks Story (2002), a movie about the famous civil rights hero.
Her work on The Rosa Parks Story earned her a nomination from the Directors Guild of America. She was the first African-American woman to be nominated for directing a primetime TV movie.
Dash has also directed music videos for famous artists like Tracy Chapman and Raphael Saadiq. Her video for Chapman's song "Give Me One Reason" was nominated for an MTV award.
In 2017, she directed episodes of the popular TV show Queen Sugar. She has continued to direct for other series, including Our Kind of People and Women of the Movement.
Teaching and Other Projects
Besides filmmaking, Julie Dash is also a professor. She teaches at Spelman College, where she is helping to create a program for documentary filmmaking. She enjoys teaching students about how to compose shots and use lighting to tell a story.
Dash has also designed exhibits for museums. In 2022, she created two rooms for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibits highlighted the work of forgotten Black fashion designers and performers.
Personal Life
Dash was married to Arthur Jafa, who is also a filmmaker. They have a daughter together. Dash and Jafa are now divorced.
She still visits the Sea Islands where she filmed Daughters of the Dust. Many of her family members are from that area, and she feels a strong connection to the place and its history.
Honors and Awards
Julie Dash has received many awards for her work. Some of her major honors include:
- Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival for Daughters of the Dust (1991).
- NAACP Image Award for The Rosa Parks Story (2002).
- Selection of Daughters of the Dust (2004) and Illusions (2020) to the National Film Registry.
- Special Award from the New York Film Critics Circle (2017).
- President's Lifetime Achievement Award from Joseph R. Biden (2022).
Filmography
- Working Models of Success (1973)
- Four Women (1975)
- Diary of an African Nun (1977)
- Illusions (1982)
- Daughters of the Dust (1991)
- Praise House (1991)
- Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground (1997) (TV)
- Women: Stories of Passion (1997) (TV)
- Incognito (1999) (TV)
- Funny Valentines (1999) (TV)
- Love Song (2000) (TV)
- The Rosa Parks Story (2002) (TV)
- Brothers of the Borderland (2004)
- Queen Sugar (2017) (TV)
- Our Kind of People (2021) (TV)
- Reasonable Doubt (2022) (TV)
- Women of the Movement (2022) (TV)
See also
In Spanish: Julie Dash para niños
- L.A. Rebellion
- Women's cinema
- U.S. Women Film Directors
- Film Director
- African American Film Director
- Women Screenwriters
- American Film Directors
