For the past couple years while working with Lucasfilm, I've over heard conversations in passing about about George Lucas' movie Red Tails. I am embarrassed to admit that I know very little about this story of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. I was definitely going to see the film but I didn't think much about it until I read this article in USA Today. I was so inspired by this article and I want to share with you 5 reasons why you should join me this weekend and go and see Red Tails.
1. It's A Dream Come True George Lucas seems to have it all. The fame, the fortune, the Ranch…he had a dream back in the 70's to make this space movie called Star Wars and against all odds he turned it into one of the biggest movie franchises in history. He's made it, I mean what more does he need?…So he should just stop dreaming right?…WRONG! Making Red Tails has been George Lucas' dream for the past 23 years. It's truly been a labor of love and a lot of hard work, but he never gave up and he made it happen. It's an amazing lesson for us all. I don't care how successful you are, a life without dreaming is a very boring existence and I applaud George Lucas for making his dream come true.
2. If You Want Something Done Right, Do It Yourself! George Lucas funded this $58 million dollar movie himself. He tried to partner with some of the major movie studios but they all declined, believing that this story did not have a big enough audience. Mr. Lucas did not let that stop him, he continued to make this movie. Yes, he has the money to fund a major motion picture now, without the worry of affecting his livelihood, however, he was making these tough decisions when money was an issue. George Lucas has been investing in himself since The Empire Strikes Back when he had a lot to lose. I remember at Celebration V he said that you can't expect people to believe in you if you do not b
elieve in yourself. Sometimes, that means forging ahead when everyone else has their doubts. George Lucas told USA Today, “The most important thing to me is my freedom. I've been investing in my own movies since Empire (Strikes Back), so it was just time to do it again.” Sometimes you just have to take control of your own destiny.
3. It's American History As I said above, I am embarrassed that I did not know about this story of the Tuskegee Airmen. I admit that history was not my best subject but these men are true American heroes and I am so excited to learn more about their lives and sacrifices. Cuba Gooding Jr., one of the movie's stars, said, “For my sons not to know about this part of history is unacceptable.” I agree! George Lucas is determined to share this story with today's youth. He told USA Today, “I have only one agenda, and that's for a lot of young people to see this movie,” says Lucas, who adds that corporations already have signed on to sponsor screenings at schools. “I think kids who see this, be they black or white, will walk out thinking (the Airmen) were cool.”
4. It's Fun To Prove The Doubters Wrong! George Lucas was faced with a lot of adversity when trying to get this movie made. Hollywood dubbed this as a black movie and race clearly played an issue. Mr. Lucas disagreed and told USA Today, “But ultimately, to me Red Tails isn't just a black story, it's an American success story.” The only way to change this perception is to prove it at the Box Office. Please help spread the word and tell everyone you know to go and see this movie.
5. Who Doesn't Love A “Good vs. Evil” Story? These are tough times. When I get bogged down by all of the negative things going on around me and in our world today, one thing that gives me hope is my belief that Good Will Always Overcome Evil. George Lucas feels the same and he told USA Today, “When you think about it, other than Saving Private Ryan, there haven't been many movies like Back to Bataan and Battle of Britain, plain old propaganda movies where there were good guys and bad guys. So that appealed to me about Red Tails,” he says, smiling. “It's all left over from me being 10 years old.”
Red Tails opens in theaters this Friday January, 20th! Make sure to catch it at a theater near you!
Ashley 😮