To honor Black History month and celebrate the heroism of Black fighter pilots in WWII, the Democratic Club will sponsor the film, The Tuskegee Airmen, on Monday February 10, 2025, in Peacock from 1:00 to 3:30pm. The film chronicles experiences beginning in 1942 of a group of African American college graduates selected to be the first Black fighter pilots in America’s Air Force.
Directed by Robert Markowitz, the film stars Laurence Fishburne, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Allen Payne, Courtney Vance, Andre Braugher, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and John Lithgow. The HBO miniseries won three Primetime Emmys plus other significant screen awards!
The movie follows pilots and maintenance crews from their initial training at the Tuskegee, Alabama, airbase to many of their combat assignments. Featuring vintage military planes and exciting air-combat footage, the film also depicts the racism encountered by the pilots including the frequent resistance to their presence in the formerly all-white Army Air Corps. Ultimately, the Tuskegee Airmen serve their country with distinction and bravery, flying missions that provide escort for the bombing of Berlin.
The movie runs about 2 hours and provides subtitles. Film enthusiast Lynne Thorner will facilitate a post-viewing analysis and discussion of this historical drama, particularly its timeless and timely relevance. Please direct any questions or concerns to Lynne at [email protected].