Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

#WOFFFWATCHALONG

Welcome to our COIVD-19 WOFFF watchalong, co-hosted with ReframedFilm on Thursday 2 July 2020. We hope you enjoy all the films and that you’ll join us on Twitter around 9.00PM (BST) for a chat about what you’ve seen.

VIEWING SCHEDULE 2 JULY

All times are British Summer Time  (BST) and are approximate. Full links below the viewing schedule:
7:00PM Intro to the programme from WOFFF
7:05PM Film Talk with filmmaker Marta Renzi
7.10PM WOFFF short film ROXIE
7.30PM Tonight’s feature film ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS
9.00PM Join the conversation on Twitter about the films. Use the hashtag #WOFFFWatchalong and tag us @WO50FF so we can welcome you into the conversation and so others can find your tweets
9:45 PM Round off the evening with a WOFFF19 short film WOMAN OF LIFE by Alif Sankey

HELLO FROM WOFFF

Hello from the Women Over 50 Film Festival and welcome to our WOFFF Watchalong. This week’s we’ve got three films to share with you about Black women’s lives and their art. Our feature film ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS is a documentary which traces Ella Fitzgerald’s career in music over five decades. This biography reflects the passions and troubles of the times in her music and her life. In ROXIE we hear from Roxie Duncan – a Black woman in her 80s – on school, work, race, religion and life, while WOMAN OF LIFE shows one woman’s life through dance.

Film Talk: Marta Renzi

ROXIE director Marta Renzi joins us from the US to tell us about her film – the remarkable life and times of Ms Roxie Duncan.

ROXIE

In this short documentary portrait, ROXIE by Marta Renzi, we meet the singer, dishwasher, storyteller, octogenarian Roxie Duncan in all her glory in her hometown: Cape Charles, Virginia. Whether washing dishes at Rayfield’s Pharmacy-and-diner, or singing gospel music while touring small-town USA, Roxie’s view of race and changing times is rich and rewarding.
This film has been made available to watch indefinitely by the filmmaker.

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

This documentary follows Ella Fitzgerald’s extraordinary journey across five decades which began at a 1934 talent contest at the Apollo theatre in Harlem. Ella reflects the passions and troubles of the times in her music and her life. Moving beyond conventional biopic, the film uses images and music to evoke the feel of those times, bringing to life the context of Ella’s unique career, featuring interviews from Smokey Robinson, Jamie Cullum, Tony Bennett, Norma Miller and Laura Mvula.
For viewers in the UK, click the image below to access the film free on BBC iPlayer. Viewers outside the UK can access the film on dvd or it may be available on an on-demand platform.
This film is available on the iPlayer till April 2021.

ONLINE CONVERSATION

Join us on Twitter and tell us what you think of the films so far! Use the hashtag #WOFFFWatchalong so you can see what other people are saying, and then, jump in!

WOMAN OF LIFE

A woman struggles to move onward with her life, she is constantly being reminded of her past. She breaks down, surrendering to the pain she has carried over the years; releasing it all in hopes of finding peace.

NEXT WEEK’S WATCHALONG

Our next film, on Thursday 9 July, is a Reframed Film selection. More details available soon.

WATCHALONG FAQS

What are watchalongs? And why is WOFFF doing them? Click here to learn more with our watchalongs FAQs.

FILM FEELS CONNECTED

This Watchalong is part of FilmFeelsConnected, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network.  You can explore all films and events here at filmfeels.co.uk  
If you have watch any of the films or Film Talks in this WOFFF Watchalong series in July or August 2020, please fill out this out 5-minute online feedback form.