Black Hollywood Reimagining iconic movie moments

"My personal mission is to broaden the imagination of film lovers worldwide while enriching the minds of Black Americans." Photographer Augustus succeeds brilliantly with these arresting reimaginings of classic Hollywood scenes using Black performers. These are no mere imitations. Augustus and his brilliant cast force viewers to confront underlying racist assumptions in many iconic films. Shanola Hampton's interpretation of Scarlett O'Hara's "I'll never be hungry" pose reminds us who was truly hungry in the antebellum South. Blair Underwood's terrifying close-up from The Shining and Jay Ellis' knife-wielding American Psycho tap into white terror of Black male violence, while Kel Mitchell's hopeful, simple-minded grin as Forrest Gump reflects efforts to infantilize Black men. Augustus' female portraits include Kelsey Scott's whimsical Charlie Chaplin, Kellee Stewart's fierce encapsulation of Black rage in Mommie Dearest, and a bevy of glamour shots culminating in Amber Stevens West's glorious embodiment of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. At a time when "nontraditional" casting in Star Wars, Disney, and Tolkien films provokes outrage, Augustus and his team exemplify the power, beauty, and talent that Hollywood and film lovers have missed.