AT HOME

This event has passed. Hayley Atwell Selects: with Gbenga Akinnagbe

May 10th, 2022 by admin

The Picture House ambassador Hayley Atwell hosts Film Study for Adults! Hayley brings her in-depth knowledge of film —and a slate of exciting guests, all with unique perspectives on film and the industry — to TPH members for fascinating discussions.

The next Hayley Atwell Selects welcomes Gbenga Akinnagbe as our special guest to discuss the film Home.

Home Synopsis

Jack, the hero of Jono Oliver’s debut feature, “Home,” is balancing his dosage of antipsychotic medicine while seeking an apartment in New York for less than $600 a month. This seemingly impossible hunt is endured with humor and sensitivity, as well as minute pangs of suffering, thanks to a stunning performance from Gbenga Akinnagbe (Chris Partlow in “The Wire”) in the story of Jack’s efforts to leave a group home where he’s lived for many years… Mental illness is presented here as something by turns endearing, surprising and frightening. A jarring realism comes both from Mr. Oliver’s script and the performances by an ensemble of brilliant character actors, including James McDaniel’s portrayal of a doctor and Joe Morton’s turn as Jack’s father.

— The New York Times

This class will function much like a book club, attendees should watch the assigned movie at home through available streaming services and arrive at class online for a robust discussion led by Hayley and Gbenga.

Price: $25

Date: Sunday, May 29

Time: 11:00 am (ET)

Place: Online

Purchase Here

Hayley Atwell is an Olivier-nominated actress who made her name in acclaimed British television series including The Line of Beauty, Any Human Heart, and the adaptation of Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Mini-Series. She recently starred in the BBC production of Howard’s End from Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan.

Hayley played Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger. In 2015, she was given her own show, Agent Carter, the first-ever Marvel spin-off to be fronted by a woman. She reprised the role in several films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame, as well as in the animated series What If? Her other film credits include The Duchess, Christopher Robin, and Blinded by the Light. She will star opposite Tom Cruise as the female lead in the next two Mission: Impossible films.

Gbenga Akinnagbe was born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. His television credits include HBO’s The Wire, Showtime’s Barbershop and Nurse Jackie, and The Good Wife on CBS. He has also enjoyed success in feature films, such as the Oscar nominated The Savages directed by Tamara Jenkins. He appeared in the Tony Scott directed remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta. His film Knucklehead premiered in March 2015 to a sold out audience at BAM’s New Black Voices film festival.

A veteran of the stage, Gbenga performed the role of “Zim” in the NYC Fringe Festival’s award-winning production of Modern Missionary. In 2010, he starred in the world premiere one-man show The Thin Place at The Intiman Theatre in Seattle, where he masterfully portrayed 11 different characters, garnering him rave reviews.

In 2012, Gbenga gave a popular TEDx talk “Stop and Frisk.” He is also a frequent contributor to The New York Times, and can be seen as a guest on Huff Post Live and Al Jazeera, where he speaks on social justice issues. His apparel brand, Liberated People, is an eco-friendly company that partners with non-profits.