Marshall

6 PM: Patio Reception, 6:30 PM: Speaker, 7 PM: Film
GUEST SPEAKER: Michael Koskoff, co-writer of Marshall, a renowned litigator that earned a reputation early in his career as a civil rights advocate.

It’s 1940. Thurgood Marshall is a rising star (played by BLACK PANTHER star, Chadwick Boseman) that travels the nation for the NAACP, defending African Americans wrongly accused of crimes. In this true story, we get to see the multi-faceted personality of Marshall long before he became the first African-American appointed to the Supreme Court.

Marshall has been sent to Bridgeport, Connecticut, to defend a black chauffeur accused of kidnapping and raping the high society wife of his employer. Marshall’s usual confidence is shaken when the court refuses to let him be the lead attorney. Instead, the court appoints Sam Bernstein, a local jewish lawyer who has never handled a criminal case, to be the lead counsel. Working for and with Marshall, Sam makes some important decisions about what kind of man he wants to be, and can become.

The pitch perfect directing by Reginald Hudlin (BLACK PANTHER, DJANGO UNCHAINED) creates edge-of-your-seat suspense. Gripping performances are delivered by this top cast, from Chadwick Boseman, Kate Hudson, and Josh Gad to Sterling K. Brown, who steals the film with his portrait of the chauffeur. “Marshall offers thrills, mystery, and gripping storytelling.” —Danielle Solzman, Cultured Vultures