Black Nativity

In 1961 famous writer and poet Langston Hughes wrote a musical titled Black Nativity and it was a huge success during its time. Writer and director Kasi Lemmons turned Langston’s classical musical show into a major motion picture in 2013. The movie version of Black Nativity stars Jacob Latimore who plays the role of a young teenager named Langston Cobb. In the film Langston has to spend the holiday season with his uncle Revered Cobbs and his wife Aretha. The reverend wants Langston to live by a strict set of rules while he is there but Langston doesn’t want to live life on his terms. Langston is a streetwise young man that really does not care for the church. So he decides to go back home to his single mother Naima. While he makes the journey back home he meets new friends and encounters some divine situations that help him to discover the meaning of family, faith and healing. Black Nativity also stars Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and rap superstar Nas. This film is also a musical drama that gives viewers plenty of gospel songs and lots of references to scripture. Black Nativity was released in November of 2013 for the holiday season.