. To see how she uses music and the actors/actresses facial expressions to create the tone of the film really make it fairly easy to interpret what is going on.
It surprised me to see a star as well-known as Gabrielle Union in an independent black film. To see someone as successful as she is shocked me because independent black films have these stereotypes placed on them that suggest that the acting is mediocre or it seems "boot-leg." It was then I realized how untrue this stereotype was. I learned that Ava DuVernay's craft was unique because not only is her work fascinating but it was also powerful. Her work has to be in order to land stars like Gabrielle Union and Omari Hardwick who is one of the main characters in her film, "Middle of Nowhere." I learned that you don't need to have this fairy tale story line that we see used over and over in mainstream Hollywood films. DuVernay keeps her artwork real and makes it relatable to the audience.She uses ordinary, yet authentic, life experiences and it uses her talent to display it in a film like no other can. DuVernay delivers her message in a way that makes me appreciate film more and I've learned to look at film differently and actually analyze the techniques that a writer and director uses to convey their message through film.
