By BLAKE DESHAZO

The Selma Times-Journal 

The city of Selma is rolling out the red carpet this weekend for the filmmakers and cast of the movie “Selma.”

Director Ava DuVernay, stars David Oyelowo and Common along with the film’s producers Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner will participate in a commemorative march Sunday, Jan. 18 to pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions in the Civil Rights Movement.

“I’m honored that Paramount Pictures and the cast has put Selma to the forefront of the nation again during MLK weekend,” remarked Mayor George Evans. “The dream marches on.”

The celebration is set to begin with a question and answer session for students and teachers with some of the filmmakers and cast moderated by Congresswoman Terri Sewell. The session will be held at the Selma High School auditorium.

A prayer vigil will be held Sunday at 4:20 p.m. where Evans will address members of the community. The Rev. Dion Culliver of Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Rev. Leodis Strong of Brown Chapel AME Chapel will say a prayer to commemorate the sacrifices people made in the battle for equal voting rights.

At 4:45 p.m. following the vigil, the “Selma” filmmakers and cast will march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A short concert is in the work featuring unconfirmed artists with ties to the film. The bridge is expected to be close for up to two hours Sunday.

“It’s just another piece of the puzzle that promotes our city,” Evans said. “The movie is about Selma, and it promotes a positive image and message about Selma. We’re blessed, and appreciative of the fact that the movie was named after our city.”

The celebration will end with a red carpet event at the Walton Theater where Alabama state officials and the film’s local cast and crew will view the movie.

Two free showings of “Selma” will be hosted by Paramount Pictures at the Walton Theater Monday, Jan. 19 at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis at the box office.

The community is invited to attend the prayer vigil and commemorative march.

Directed by DuVernay and starring Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “Selma” is nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Song for “Glory” by Common and John Legend. The film earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Song for “Glory” and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth as well as Common and Winfrey.

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