The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
American biographical film
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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]
- Sylvia L. Jones
- and Camille Tucker
- Christina Bell
- Angela Birchett
- Sheléa Frazier
- Raven Goodwin
- Kierra Sheard
- Aunjanue Ellis
- Demore Barnes
- Michael Xavier
- Romaine Waite
- Ronnie Rowe Jr.
| The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | |
|---|---|
The official poster for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | |
| Written by |
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| Directed by | Christine Swanson |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release | April 11, 2020[1] |
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
- Christina Bell as Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, the one leader of The Clark Sisters[1]
- Angela Birchett as Jacky Clark-Chisholm, the one member of The Clark Sisters[1]
- Sheléa Frazier as Dorinda Clark-Cole, the four member of The Clark Sisters[1]
- Raven Goodwin as Denise Clark-Bradford, the two member of The Clark Sisters[1]
- Kierra Sheard as Karen Clark-Sheard, the five member of The Clark Sisters[1]
- Aunjanue Ellis as Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark, the mother of Jacky, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda & Karen[6]
- Demore Barnes as Elbert Clark, the father of Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda & Karen and stepfather of Jacky[7]
- Michael Xavier as J. Drew Sheard, Karen's husband[7]
- Romaine Waite as Greg Cole, Dorinda's husband
- Ronnie Rowe Jr. as John
- Saad Siddiqui as Reza[7]
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 directed by Christine Swanson and written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, who wrote the story. Kierra Sheard portrayed her real-life mother, Karen Clark Sheard.[4]
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Beginning (Spoken Word)" | Aunjanue Ellis & Cast | 1:39 | |
| 2. | "What He’s Done for Me" | Mattie Moss Clark | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 2:33 |
| 3. | "In the Studio (Spoken Word)" | Aunjanue Ellis & Sheléa Frazier | 0:21 | |
| 4. | "If You Can’t Take It, You Sure Can’t Make It" | Leva Mae Penniman | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 2:03 |
| 5. | "Karen Finds Her Voice (Spoken Word)" | Aunjanue Ellis, Kierra Sheard & Cast | 0:29 | |
| 6. | "I Can Do All Things Thru Christ That Strengthens Me" | Twinkie Clark | Kierra Sheard & Dorinda Clark-Cole | 2:27 |
| 7. | "Twinkie Takes Over (Spoken Word)" | Aunjanue Ellis & Christina Bell | 0:30 | |
| 8. | "Praying Spirit" | Twinkie Clark | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 3:58 |
| 9. | "Nothing to Lose, All to Gain" | Twinkie Clark | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 4:17 |
| 10. | "Crossover (Spoken Word)" | Aunjanue Ellis, Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 0:46 | |
| 11. | "You Brought the Sunshine" | Twinkie Clark | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 4:11 |
| 12. | "Name It Claim It" | Twinkie Clark | Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin & Angela Birchett | 2:32 |
| 13. | "Name It Claim It (Dorinda’s Sermonette) [Spoken Word]" | Sheléa Frazier | 1:22 |
Notes
- All songs produced by Donald Lawrence.
- Other songs performed in the film but not included on the soundtrack are "Hallelujah," "Is My Living in Vain," "Miracle" (a reworked version of The Clark Sisters' earlier "Expect Your Miracle" on their album of the same name), and the Karen Clark Sheard-penned "Blessed & Highly Favored."
Charts
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[10] | 8 |
The soundtrack album debuted at number eight 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]
Release
Reception
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel premiere was the most-watched film on Lifetime in four years with 2.7 million viewers.[12]
The film received mixed 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."[13] 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."[14] 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."[15]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Television Movie or Limited Series | The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | Nominated | [16] |
| 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 | [17] | |
| 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 | [18] | |
| 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 | [19] | |
| 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 | [20] |