David Harewood and Sydney Tamiia Poitier in Robeson biopic

Shooting gets underway in September in Montreal on Robeson, a feature about legendary singer, actor and political activist Paul Robeson.

By Nia Daniels 1 Aug 2013

David Harewood and Sydney Tamiia Poitier in Robeson biopic
David Harewood as Paul Robeson

Shooting gets underway in September in Montreal on Robeson, a feature about legendary singer, actor and political activist Paul Robeson.

British actor David Harewood (Homeland) is attached to play the title role, with Sydney Tamiia Poitier (daughter of Sidney) lined up to play his wife and Lou Gossett Jr. as Robeson’s friend W.E.B. Dubois. Darrell Roodt directs.

Born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1898, Paul Robeson became one of the best known singers and actors of his generation, forever to be associated with songs such as Ol’ Man River and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

However, it was his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement and his stance against fascism, social injustice and imperialism which caused him to be blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

The feature comes from LA-based Four Stars International and Starling Road Productions, part of Equinoxe Films in Montreal. Producers include Richard Akel (who wrote the screenplay with Terry Bisson), Janice Hammond, Michael Mosca and Franca Visconti.

(Photo by Joey Mercado)

Born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1898, Paul Robeson became one of the best known singers and actors of his generation, forever to be associated with songs such as Ol’ Man River and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

However, it was his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement and his stance against fascism, social injustice and imperialism which caused him to be blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

The feature comes from LA-based Four Stars International and Starling Road Productions, part of Equinoxe Films in Montreal. Producers include Richard Akel (who wrote the screenplay with Terry Bisson), Janice Hammond, Michael Mosca and Franca Visconti.

(Photo by Joey Mercado)

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