Even though there are a number of award-winning films being released through streaming platforms, that isn’t stopping The Criterion Collection from making sure they get added to the esteemed library. And in December, Criterion adds another with Regina King’s “One Night in Miami,” as well as classics such as “The Learning Tree” and “The Red Shoes.”
Released less than a year ago, “One Night in Miami” has a very short turnaround before being added to the Criterion Collection in December. Directed by Regina King, in her debut as a filmmaker, ‘One Night’ tells the story of a fictional meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke in a hotel room in 1964. The film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr. in the lead roles and would go on to become nominated for three Oscars and three Golden Globes.
Joining ‘One Night’ as a new addition to The Criterion Collection before the end of 2021 is the landmark film, “The Learning Tree,” from legendary filmmaker Gordon Parks. Not only is “The Learning Tree” thought of as one of the greatest films of all time, the coming-of-age film written and directed by Parks (based on his own novel) holds the distinction of being the first major studio film to be directed by a Black person, when it was released in 1969.
And last of the new films hitting in December is “The Red Shoes,” from filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The classic film was nominated for five Oscars, winning for Best Art Direction and Best Original Score back when it was released in 1948. So, needless to say, if you’re a fan of classics and/or contemporary films, Criterion has you covered in December.