"BELLE" by Request (Ep. 25)

In episode 25 The Boston Sisters feature Amma Asante’s feature film BELLE by listener request from JOANNE FORT, an attorney living in Atlanta, Georgia. Joanne shares why she wanted the podcast to feature BELLE. We invited London-based figurative painter GLORY SAMJOLLY, to talk about the film and the story behind the portrait of the real-life Dido Elizabeth Belle (with her cousin Elizabeth). As founder of the social media platform Black Aristocrat Art, Glory brings her insights on depictions of Black women and men of the aristocracy in historical European art. BELLE is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a mixed-race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and an enslaved African woman who is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson) in 18th century England. Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from receiving the benefits of noble social standing. Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013; in the U.S. in 2014. TIMESTAMPS  1:19 Intro to BELLE by Request 1:56 Belle Film Synopsis 3:11 Listener Joanne Fort - what makes Belle special 5:34 Glory Samjolly, Black Aristocrat Art 6:44 Glory's introduction to Dido Elizabeth Belle film and portrait 9:16 Black presence in European portraiture 13:40 Interpreting Belle's portrait 20:03 Joanne Fort's Turban Question for Glory Samjolly 21:32 Exoticizing the Black Image in European Portraiture 29:06 Break 30:00 Interpreting the Mysteries of Black Portraiture 37:15 Learning Black History in the UK 41:23 Glory's Dream: A Black Aristocrat Portrait Gallery 45:10 Special Commission: Painting A History Globe 49:15 Art to Change the Psychology of Black History 52:02 Lightning Round: Bourgeoisie fashion in 18th Century France, Headphones, Paint Brush, Turpentine 57:05 Where to Find Amma Asante's “Belle” (2014) Film 58:05 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters Contact Info Note: BELLE was released in the UK in 2013, and in the U.S. in 2014. ------- STAY ENGAGED with HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS LISTEN to past podcasts SIGN UP for our mailing list SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform You can SUPPORT this podcast on Anchor or SHOP THE PODCAST on our affiliate bookstore Thank you for listening!