The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel explained

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Director:Christine Swanson
Starring:
Country:United States
Language:English
Producer:

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is a 2020 American biographical film about gospel group The Clark Sisters. Directed by Christine Swanson, and co-written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, the film stars Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin, and Angela Birchett. It premiered on Lifetime on April 11, 2020.[1] [2]

Plot

The film centers on the formation of gospel group The Clark Sisters, the daughters and pupils of gospel singer and devout Christian Mattie Moss Clark.[3] The plot follows their journey from their hometown of Detroit to becoming the highest-selling gospel group in music history.[4]

Production

The movie was filmed between January and February 2019 in Toronto, Canada.

On March 27, 2019, it was announced that Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Productions had greenlit the film to be released in 2020.[5] Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Loretha Jones and Holly Carter served as executive producers for the film.

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is the first authorized biopic about the group. The producers noted in an interview at the 2020 TCA press tour that estranged sister Denise Clark-Bradford was invited to be a part of the film but did not state the extent of her involvement.[6]

The film was directed by Christine Swanson and written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, who wrote the story. Kierra Sheard portrayed her real-life mother, Karen Clark Sheard.

Soundtrack

Notes

Charts

The soundtrack album debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, where it remained in its second week. In its third week, the album slipped to number 23.[8]

Release

The film premiered on Lifetime on April 11, 2020.

Reception

Critical reception

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel premiere was the most-watched film on Lifetime in four years with 2.7 million viewers.[9]

The film received mixed critical reception. In a review for rogerebert.com, Nell Minow rated the film 3.5/4 stars, calling Ellis's performance "mesmerizing" and the music "a gorgeous, spirit-lifting celestial chorus."[10] Joelle Monique of The A.V. Club rated the film a C+ and wrote in the review, "...it feels like a chorus of Clark sisters, each with their interpretation of events, presented in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone person in the group."[11] Writing for The Root, Panama Jackson stated in a more positive review: "It’s both heartwarming and endearing, while not skirting any of the issues that plagued their ultimately triumphant and still ongoing journey: domestic violence, gender inequality in the church, interpersonal issues, medical issues, mental health, life, etc."[12]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2021Black Reel Television AwardsOutstanding Television Movie or Limited SeriesThe Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel[13]
Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited SeriesAunjanue Ellis
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited SeriesRaven Goodwin
Outstanding Director, TV Movie/Limited SeriesChristine Swanson
Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited SeriesSylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Television MovieThe Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel[14]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild AwardsBest Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television – Best Period and/or Character Make-UpLaLette Littlejohn, Christopher Pizzarelli and Dorota Zajac[15]
Best Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television – Best Period and/or Character Hair StylingEtheline Joseph, Yasmine Crosdale and Tenika Smith
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialThe Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel[16]
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialAunjanue Ellis
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialChristine Swanson
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialSylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker
Satellite AwardsBest Television FilmThe Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige & Missy Elliott Tell The Clark Sisters' Iconic Story in New Biopic. PEOPLE.com. en. 2020-03-27.
  2. Web site: 'The Clark Sisters' Is Lifetime's Biggest Movie in 4 Years. shadowandact.com. en. 2020-05-04.
  3. Web site: Here's Your First Look At 'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel'. Essence. en-US. 2020-03-27.
  4. Web site: Sheléa Speaks On The Lifetime Movie, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel". www.yahoo.com. en-US. 2020-03-27.
  5. Salt-N-Pepa Miniseries, the Clark Sisters Biopic In Works. Legaspi. Althea. 2019-03-28. Rolling Stone. en-US. 2020-03-27.
  6. Web site: 'Clark Sisters' Producers, Cast Talk Estranged Sibling, Faith-Based TV-TCA. Haithman. Diane. 2020-01-18. Deadline. en. 2020-03-27.
  7. TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS. May 5, 2020. Billboard. May 9, 2020. Billboard.com.
  8. TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS. Billboard. April 25, 2020. May 5, 2020. Billboard.com.
  9. Web site: 'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Biopic Marks Highest-Rated Lifetime Movie In Four Years. Ramos. Dino-Ray. 2020-04-13. Deadline. en. 2020-04-13.
  10. Web site: The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel movie review (2020) Roger Ebert. Minow. Nell. www.rogerebert.com. en. 2020-04-28.
  11. Web site: The Clark Sisters story belongs to their mother in new Lifetime movie. TV Club. 6 April 2020 . en-us. 2020-04-13.
  12. Web site: The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Movie on Lifetime Brought the Sunshine. You Should Watch It. Amen.. Very Smart Brothas. 14 April 2020 . en-us. 2020-04-18.
  13. Web site: Watchmen & Insecure Pace the Black Reel Awards for TV Nominations. Black Reel Awards. June 18, 2020. February 20, 2021.
  14. Web site: 'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations . Schneider. Michael . January 18, 2021 . Variety . January 18, 2021.
  15. Web site: Giardina. Carolyn. 2021-02-18. 'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations. 2021-02-25. The Hollywood Reporter.
  16. Web site: NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With 'Bridgerton', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' & 'Da 5 Bloods'. Del Rosario. Alexandra . February 2, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. February 3, 2021.
  17. Web site: 25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced . Van Blaricom. Mirjana . February 1, 2021 . . February 1, 2021.