Moonlight is a 2016 American drama film directed by Barry Jenkins and written by Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, based on the previously unpublished play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by McCraney. It stars Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali.

The film presents three stages in the life of the main character. It explores the difficulties he faces with his own sexuality and identity, and the physical and emotional abuse he receives as a result of it. Distributed by A24, the film was released in the United States on October 21, 2016, and has grossed $28 million worldwide.

Moonlight received wide acclaim upon its release and at the 74th Golden Globe Awards won Best Motion Picture – Drama, and was nominated in five other categories. The film received eight Oscar nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Ali and Best Adapted Screenplay for Jenkins and McCraney.

Despite the initial mix-up with La La Land, the Moonlight crew got every bit of recognition and more this past Sunday Night! They received a standing ovation, with many African American actors/actresses becoming very emotional on their behalf during their acceptance speech.

Moonlight also became the first film with an all black cast, the first LGBT film and the second lowest-grossing film domestically (behind The Hurt Locker) to win the Best Picture award. The film’s editor, Joi McMillon, became the first black woman to be nominated for an editing Oscar (alongside co-editor Nat Sanders) and Ali became the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar.

Movies like Moonlight show that regardless of who you are or who you think you are to never give up. Its hard to know yourself and who you’re suppose to be, but like life everything is a process and takes time. Don’t stop striving t be the best version of yourself!

For more information on Moonlight check out the Wikipedia Page and Web IMDb. For more posts like this check out our Facebook Page!

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