Nigerian director, Chinonye Chukwu, has been selected to direct the film adaptation of former Black Panther Party chairwoman, Elaine Brown’s memoir, A Taste of Power.
Chukwu is currently enjoying positive reviews for her latest project ‘Clemency’ following its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Speaking about the choice of Chukwu, one of the film’s producers, Robbie Brenner, said her works resonated with the message of the memoir and film making her suitable to direct it.
He said, “I cannot think of a more fearless filmmaker than Chinonye Chukwu, whose nuanced filmmaking, coupled with her activism and outreach, makes her the perfect person to tackle Elaine’s incredible story.”
Elaine Brown led the Black Panther Party in Oakland from 1974-1977 through turbulent times after being selected by Huey Newton as his successor upon his exile to Cuba.
During her time as chairwoman, the Black Panther Party scored political success, amidst threats from both local and federal police as well as disaffected party members.
Her struggles are documented in her 1992 memoir, A Taste of Power.