Grammy Award® winner Jazmine Sullivan reaches out on heartfelt new song “Stand Up” for the upcoming, long-anticipated film Till from MGM’s Orion Pictures
A story of a mother’s love for her lynched son was a catalyst for the civil rights movement we know today. Produced and co-written by the Academy Award® and Grammy Award® winning Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, the uplifting and heartfelt song runs at the final scene and end credits of the film. A tribute to Emmett and Mamie.
Jazmine shares: The new song focuses on how Mamie Till-Mobley “found her voice and purpose in so much turmoil,” “I’m honored to be able to contribute to such a powerful film about such a historic and tragic moment in American history.”
Directed by Chinonye Chukwu with a screenplay by Michael Reilly & Keith Beauchamp and Chukwu, Till tells the heartbreaking true story of the historic lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till — for whistling at a white woman in Money, Mississippi in 1955 — through the eyes of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley.
“I wanted the world to see what they did to my boy,” Mamie said at the time. Till-Mobley also gave the exclusive rights to Jet Magazine to publish the images of her son’s maimed body which caused the lynching to gain worldwide notoriety. A mother’s bold courage became a lightning rod in the Civil Rights Movement and propelled her to reluctantly become an outspoken activist for the NAACP advocating for social justice and education. The film brings a focus on the strength and courage of Mamie-Till Mobley that will live on forever and inspires us all to be better and live in empathy and acceptance.
Director Chukwu says: “A passionate artist and activist, Jazmine delivers an anthem for justice and hope; one that ignites a fire to rise up for all people whose lives have been senselessly cut short because of America’s deep rooted and white supremacy.”
Till made its world premiere during the opening weekend of the 60th New York Film Festival as a Spotlight presentation at Lincoln Center to critical praise. The film will open in select theaters on October 14th before a nationwide release beginning on October 28th.
In bringing Mamie Till-Mobley’s story to the big screen, Till will also shed light the incredible work the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation has been doing in continuing the work Mamie Till-Mobley began. The foundation now carries out her mission, by learning from the past, activating in the present and building towards a better future. This is how we turn heartache to hope and spring into action.
