The inspirational rags to riches feature The Pursuit of Happyness and Dreamgirls, the theatrical version of the hit Broadway play, are among the African American Film Critics Association’s (AAFCA) list of top 10 films for 2006.
Based on the real-life story of Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness stars rapper/actor Will Smith as a man determined to succeed despite
living on the street with his son.
The movie, which currently sits at number one at the box office, raked in $27 million in its first week of release.
The AAFCA, founded in 2003, is the only organization comprised of African- American film media professionals.
It honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to black
communities, while emphasizing films about the black experience, and those produced, written directed and starring performers of African
descent
Dreamgirls, named Best Film of 2006 by the AAFCA, has garnered rave reviews from critics.
The Beyonce Knowles driven feature, which is scheduled to hit movie theaters on Christmas day, also nabbed a Best Supporting Actor award for Eddie Murphy, Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Hudson and Best Director for Bill Condon.
“ Dreamgirls is an extraordinarily, breathtaking example of inclusive filmmaking at its best, featuring an all African-American cast in an
intelligent film with universal appeal,” said AAFCA president Gil Robertson, IV in a statement. “The film will be a classic for people of all colors,
but a special source of pride and inspiration for the black community in America and around across the globe.”
Other films recognized include Akeelah & The Bee, Catch a Fire and Outkast’s Idlewild.
Acting honors went to Helen Mirren (Best Actress 2006) for The Queen and Forest Whitaker (Best Actor 2006) for The Last King of
Scotland.
The following is the AAFCA’s list of top 10 films for 2006:
1. Dreamgirls
2. The Last King of Scotland
3. The Departed
4. Akeelah & The Bee
5. Catch A Fire
6. Idlewild
7. Bobby
8. The Devil Wears Prada
9. Pursuit of Happyness
10. Inside Man