LAMDA screens Becoming King to celebrate Black History Month

As part of a series of events to celebrate this year's Black History Month, on Friday 11 October, LAMDA hosted a private screening of Becoming King, a documentary about the making of the critically acclaimed film Selma.

The film was screened in LAMDA's flagship Sainsbury Theatre to an audience of students and staff and featured a special guest appearance by the film’s creator, Jessica Oyelowo. Jessica, an acclaimed actor, director and producer, chatted with the Head of Screen & Audio, Michelle Bonnard, and discussed the making of the film.

Becoming King was a passion project for Jessica, centering on her husband and fellow actor David Oyelowo and the decade-long journey of bringing Selma to life. The documentary offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Selma and the transformative journey Oyelowo went on to embody the iconic civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oyelowo's portrayal of King received widespread praise for its depth and authenticity, leading to a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.

This screening was a captivating experience, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of bringing such a monumental project to life and giving a rare glimpse into the complexities of Hollywood filmmaking

David Oyelowo, who is currently starring as Coriolanus at the National Theatre, also returned to LAMDA to take part in a Lunch Q&A session on 11 October, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn about his career and craft.

Becoming King is now available to stream on Paramount+.