#amy evans

[wlwvintage]

Postcards of Edwardian actresses who I like to think were having some kind of lesbian love affair.

[theabominableseamstress]

I am absolutely obsessed with these photographs. The sapphic vibes are impeccable.

As far as I can tell:

Lily Elsie and Adrienne Augarde as Lally and the Princess in The New Aladdin, c. 1906

Amy Evans and Lily Elsie as Princess Helena and Franzi in A Waltz Dream, c. 1911

Gabrielle Ray and Dorothy Craske as Susan and (unknown character*) in Lady Madcap, c. 1905

[* I genuinely couldn't figure it out, I've been searching for well over an hour... if anyone knows, please let me know, I am losing my mind]

[zindabadzine]

the movie motive: so, I rewatched brandy's cinderella

by amy evans / instalment 002 of her column the movie motive

For me, it’s always hardest to write about films that I have already watched multiple times and know that I like. As 2022 is the 25th anniversary of Cinderella (1997), which stars Brandy and Whitney Houston, being released, I knew that I wanted to dedicate an entry of my film column to it.The film also stars Victor Garber, Whoopi Goldberg and Bernardette Peters, which actually makes it quite star-studded, especially for a made for TV film, as well as the (then-)newcomer Paolo Montalbán as Prince Christopher. This 1997 production of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a really fun film and for me, it stands out amongst the array of live action fairytale films that we have had as one that works well and is able to take risks that pay off. The movie is also especially relevant considering the conversations that are being had currently about inclusivity in film and colour-blind casting - such as the likes of Disney’s upcoming films The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey and Snow White starring Rachel Zegler.

The movie is also especially relevant considering the conversations that are being had currently about inclusivity in film and colour-blind casting.

Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was first adapted for Broadway in 2008 - I was surprised that it wasn’t produced on Broadway until over a decade after this film version was released. The first version of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was actually also a made-for-TV movie, in 1957, starring the legendary Julie Andrews in the title role. Another TV movie version was also made in 1965. Like many others who were born decades after the 50s and 60s versions aired, I am only familiar with the 1997 version, as it’s the one I grew up watching. Though I haven’t watched the older TV versions, from listening to the soundtracks and watching clips from them, they seem very different despite using some of the same songs and having the same basic story. For example, the 1997 version adds additional songs from Rodger and Hammerstein’s catalogue in order to give a song to the stepmother (Falling in Love with Love, originally from The Boys from Syracuse) and for the fairy godmother to sing as the finale song (There’s Music in You, originally from Main Street to Broadway). Before the 1997 version, there were also theatre productions, both in the UK and US. The legacy that the 90s version is following is, therefore, both a TV and theatre legacy.

The colour-blind casting of this version, with a Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Filipino Prince Christopher (Paolo Montalbán), is definitely one the things it is best known for. Considering that it is only really in recent years that it has become expected for films to have more inclusive casting, particularly in fantasy or period pieces, the 1997 Cinderella is years, if not decades, ahead of its time. Even today, people are still divided over how casting should be done. From the previously mentioned upcoming Disney remakes, to period dramas (think Bridgerton and the recent Persuasion), to fantasy (such as Rings of Power), casting decisions seem to be a point of clash for many TV and film fans. I think this version of Cinderella really shows that colour blind casting does work. The cast works so well together and their performances are a large part of what makes this film still stand up to this day. They just look like they are having fun on set, and they bounce off each other really well. I loved the humorous moments between the king and queen played by Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg.

Even today, people are still divided over how casting should be done.

Having a diverse cast means that the world of the film feels like a place where anyone can belong, and though it is ‘just a movie’, I think that the impact, especially on young people, of seeing a range of people in lead roles cannot be underestimated. In my opinion, films that have more inclusive casting are often criticised in a way that blames any shortcomings on them being too ‘woke’, ignoring the other elements that contribute towards the quality of the film. Blaming everything on casting decisions feels rooted in racism and prejudice - the idea that something that includes people of all races is somehow automatically worse is something that I really disagree with. It seems ridiculous that 25 years after Cinderella, colourblind casting is still something so contentious.

It’s important to also note that there are different ways of creating inclusive projects - colourblind casting is one approach, but it can also be about producing stories that highlight different groups and cultures and casting people from those communities in the roles. There are valid criticisms of casting in a way that diminishes the struggles that marginalised people in history - one example that comes to mind is Bridgerton’s treatment of race, which, though it could be praised on the one hand for presenting people of colour as romantic leads in a period setting, at the same time also glosses over the way that the actual Regency period that it romanticises was also a time of empire and colonisation. I don’t think there is one ‘right’ approach to casting something for the screen, but I do think it is worth thinking about which approaches work for different projects.

There are a lot of reasons that Cinderella is still so watchable to this day. The cast performances, as I touched on before, are really just fantastic. For me, Whitney Houston is definitely the stand-out supporting cast-member, as her vocal performances are so stunning and wonderful, and I think she plays really well opposite Brandy’s Cinderella. Of course, I have to mention Brandy in her role as Cinderella. It could be seen as a risky choice casting an R&B singer in the role, but I feel like she is so believable in this role and performs it really well. Paolo Montalbán is also great as the prince, a character who is more developed in this version than in some other adaptations. Cinderella splits the focus between the prince and Cinderella, and I feel like we spend more time seeing the prince’s perspective, which adds more depth to the story.

Colourblind casting is one approach, but it can also be about producing stories that highlight different groups and cultures and casting people from those communities in the roles.

The actors all perform their characters with a kind of groundedness and modern sensibility which helps make the well known plot feel more believable and stops it from tipping too far into pantomime territory (even the stepsisters and stepmother, who do provide a lot of the comedy and silly moments in the film, are not played as exaggeratedly as they could be and often are in Cinderella adaptations).

Beyond the cast though, the soundtrack is wonderful. There are some lovely songs in this movie - I think my favourites are probably ‘The Prince is Giving a Ball’ and the final song ‘There is Music in You’. I also love how colourful this film is - as I was re-watching the film I kept thinking that it looks almost like Disneyland because of how everything looks so bright and magical. The costumes are just full of colour as well which I really like, and it adds to the joyful tone of the movie .

I feel like this film is an example of how a fairytale story can be modernised well. For me, when it comes to fairytale movies, the story by itself isn’t really enough to keep my interest, because we’ve all heard them a million times. I love when adaptations bring a bit of extra charm and fun to the story. I think that Rodger and Hammerstein’s music, combined with the wonderful cast, and the fun and colourful costumes, bring a lot of heart and a warm tone to the whole film. It shows how a fairy tale can be modernised even without setting it in the real world, which is often the approach taken to ‘update’ a story. For example the Cinderella Story movies place the story structure of Cinderella in a modern world with cell phones (who can forget Hilary Duff’s iconic ‘Laugh Out Loud’?) and college admissions. Obviously this modernises the story by literally setting it in the 21st century, and updating characters to have the same concerns as their audience, like being unpopular in high school and trying to fit in.

For me, when it comes to fairytale movies, the story by itself isn’t really enough to keep my interest, because we’ve all heard them a million times.

Meanwhile, the 1997 Cinderella is still undoubtedly modern, even though it is set in the historically inspired storybook world that we expect from fairytale adaptations. Even with my lack of musical expertise, comparing the soundtracks for the older TV versions to the 90s version, it is clear that the music has been ‘updated’ in terms of moving away from the more traditional sound to something more current. Additionally, having the recognisable voices of celebrity vocalists Whitney Houston and Brandy also brings a more contemporary feel to the soundtrack. The film also clearly takes inspiration from its own time in how the actors are styled and dressed, with Brandy having iconic box braids for much of the film, and the costumes often looking like they wouldn’t be too out of place at someone’s prom or wedding. The dialogue is also relatively modern.

The story of Cinderella is one that seems to keep inspiring more adaptations on stage and on-screen - from the many versions of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, to Disney’s animated and live action versions, to the Cinderella Story movies. I think it’s really cool that one story can inspire so many different retellings, and the 1997 movie is definitely one to watch (or rewatch!).

[fitesorko]

Amy Evans  Lily Elsie

[emilienantel]

I’ve learned with time that the best pick-up line a girl can use is ‘I’m in an open relationship.’

Here she is. Amy Evans, the main character of my first novel. Amy’s a bisexual, bilingual, 25 y/o Montrealer and she loves Earl Grey tea, traveling, John Hughes movies and discovering new people. She can’t wait to meet you ;)

Only 2 days left to preorder OPEN: A Tale of Love, Mermaids, Bassists, & Creepy Dudes! 

PREORDER NOW if you like found families, polyamory, crushes on musicians, and cabin retreats!

[thornaelle]

Amy Evans | A ko-fi donation reward for @snowdropxp!

[luincalen]

People seemed to really like that Lily Elsie post, so...

[cinthya-galaviz-art]

Happy kid’s Day and The Mother’s Day <3 <3 

->>>  www.facebook.com/CinthyaGalavizArts/