The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel

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The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
The Clark Sisters biopic official poster.jpg
The official poster for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
Written by
  • Sylvia L. Jones
  • and Camille Tucker
Directed byChristine Swanson
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producers
Release
Original release
  • April 11, 2020 (2020-04-11)[1]

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is a 2020 American biographical film about gospel group The Clark Sisters. Directed by Christine Swanson, and co-written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, the film stars Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin, and Angela Birchett. It premiered on Lifetime on April 11, 2020.[2][3]

Plot[]

The film centers on the formation of gospel group The Clark Sisters, the daughters and pupils of gospel singer and devout Christian Mattie Moss Clark.[4] The plot follows their journey from their hometown of Detroit to becoming the highest-selling gospel group in music history.[2][5]

Cast[]

Production[]

On March 27, 2019, it was announced that Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Productions had greenlit the film to be released in 2020.[8] Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Loretha Jones and Holly Carter served as executive producers for the film.[2]

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is the first authorized biopic about the group.[8] The producers noted in an interview at the 2020 TCA press tour that estranged sister Denise Clark-Bradford was invited to be a part of the film but did not state the extent of her involvement.[9]

The film was written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, story by Camille Tucker, and directed by Christine Swanson. Kierra Sheard plays her real-life mother, Karen Clark Sheard.[4]

Soundtrack[]

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."The Beginning (Spoken Word)" Aunjanue Ellis & Cast1:39
2."What He’s Done for Me"Mattie Moss ClarkChristina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett2:33
3."In the Studio (Spoken Word)" Aunjanue Ellis & Sheléa Frazier0:21
4."If You Can’t Take It, You Sure Can’t Make It"Leva Mae Penniman, Kierra Sheard, , Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett2:03
5."Karen Finds Her Voice (Spoken Word)" Aunjanue Ellis, Kierra Sheard & Cast0:29
6."I Can Do All Things Thru Christ That Strengthens Me"Twinkie ClarkKierra Sheard & Dorinda Clark-Cole2:27
7."Twinkie Takes Over (Spoken Word)" Aunjanue Ellis & 0:30
8."Praying Spirit"Twinkie Clark, Kierra Sheard, , Raven Goodwin & 3:58
9."Nothing to Lose, All to Gain"Twinkie ClarkChristina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett4:17
10."Crossover (Spoken Word)" Aunjanue Ellis, , Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett0:46
11."You Brought the Sunshine"Twinkie ClarkChristina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett4:11
12."Name It Claim It"Twinkie ClarkChristina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett2:32
13."Name It Claim It (Dorinda’s Sermonette) [Spoken Word]" Sheléa Frazier1:22

Notes

Charts[]

Chart (2020) Peak
position
US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[10] 8

The soundtrack album debuted at number #7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, where it remained in its second week. In its third week, the album slipped to number 23.[11][12][13]

Release[]

The film premiered on Lifetime on April 11, 2020.[4]

Reception[]

Critical reception[]

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel premiere was the most-watched film on Lifetime in four years.[14]

The film received mixed to positive critical reception. In a review for rogerebert.com, Nell Minow rated the film 3.5/4 stars, calling Ellis's performance "mesmerizing" and the music "a gorgeous, spirit-lifting celestial chorus."[15] Joelle Monique of The A.V. Club rated the film a C+ and wrote in the review, "...it feels like a chorus of Clark sisters, each with their interpretation of events, presented in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone person in the group."[16] Writing for The Root, Panama Jackson stated in a more positive review: "It’s both heartwarming and endearing, while not skirting any of the issues that plagued their ultimately triumphant and still ongoing journey: domestic violence, gender inequality in the church, interpersonal issues, medical issues, mental health, life, etc."[17]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2021
 Black Reel Television Awards Outstanding Television Movie or Limited Series The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Nominated [18]
Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series Aunjanue Ellis Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series Raven Goodwin Nominated
Outstanding Director, TV Movie/Limited Series Christine Swanson Nominated
Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited Series Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Television Movie The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Nominated [19]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Best Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television – Best Period and/or Character Make-Up LaLette Littlejohn, Christopher Pizzarelli and Dorota Zajac Nominated [20]
Best Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television – Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling Etheline Joseph, Yasmine Crosdale and Tenika Smith Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Nominated [21]
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Aunjanue Ellis Nominated
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Christine Swanson Nominated
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Television Film The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Won [22]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Gets Premiere Date, New Trailer". shadowandact.com. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  2. ^ a b c "Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige & Missy Elliott Tell The Clark Sisters' Iconic Story in New Biopic". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  3. ^ "'The Clark Sisters' Is Lifetime's Biggest Movie in 4 Years". shadowandact.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  4. ^ a b c "Here's Your First Look At 'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel'". Essence. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  5. ^ "Sheléa Speaks On The Lifetime Movie, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel"". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  6. ^ "Lifetime Presents The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel & A Question of Faith Easter Weekend". stylemagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  7. ^ a b c Minow, Nell (April 27, 2020). "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel movie review (2020)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Legaspi, Althea (2019-03-28). "Salt-N-Pepa Miniseries, the Clark Sisters Biopic In Works". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  9. ^ Haithman, Diane (2020-01-18). "'Clark Sisters' Producers, Cast Talk Estranged Sibling, Faith-Based TV-TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  10. ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS". Billboard. April 25, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  12. ^ "TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS". Billboard. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  13. ^ "TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS". Billboard. May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  14. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2020-04-13). "'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Biopic Marks Highest-Rated Lifetime Movie In Four Years". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  15. ^ Minow, Nell. "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel movie review (2020) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  16. ^ "The Clark Sisters story belongs to their mother in new Lifetime movie". TV Club. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  17. ^ "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Movie on Lifetime Brought the Sunshine. You Should Watch It. Amen". Very Smart Brothas. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  18. ^ "Watchmen & Insecure Pace the Black Reel Awards for TV Nominations". Black Reel Awards. June 18, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Schneider, Michael (January 18, 2021). "'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  20. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (2021-02-18). "'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  21. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 2, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With 'Bridgerton', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' & 'Da 5 Bloods'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  22. ^ Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

External links[]

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