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There’s now a Black version of the classic German fairytale Rapunzel called “Rapunzel Jackson” but get this: the main character by the same namesake gets a perm in order to get her prince….yeah. 

We all know those famous words,”Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair,” from the childhood story of the little girl who grew up to be the most beautiful girl in the world with long, flowing golden tresses. In the story, the Rapunzel’s adoptive mother, Dame Gothel, was also a witch who kidnapped her from her parents and put her in a tower without any access to the outside world when she was 12-years-old. Dame would climb Rapunzel’s hair to gain access to her tower. And then one day, a Prince hears Rapunzel’s beautiful voice and starts visiting her in her tower when Dame Gothel wasn’t around. They fall in love and through trials, end up happily ever after.

“Rapunzel Jackson” is just a little different.

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In this remixed version of the story, which is an independent film, Rapunzel Jackson wants to get her first perm so she can have long hair and meet a prince. However, in real life we learn that finding love or even finding your prince takes more than long hair, and that “happily ever after” doesn’t necessarily come from your mate. “Rapunzel Jackson” will explore all these potent themes, hopefully in the end offering young Black girls more options than a conventional version of beauty. Written and executive produced by Malia Dawkins, directed and produced by Dabling Harward, Samora Suber and Christina Ford, and starring Juanita Jennings, Morgan Ashley, Malia Dawkins, Bruce A. Lemon Jr., Marissa Herrera, Coley Mustafa Speaks, Demitris Dajoun, and Haley Powell, this film not only entertains, but educates the world about the of coming of age among young Black girls.

Clearly, we live in a society where long, flowing tresses are often praised and seen as beautiful, whereas women (Black women especially) are negatively critiqued for the kinky, curly and coily hair that grows naturally from our scalps. We all screamed in triumph when Viola Davis ripped off her short and straight wig on last week’s episode of “How To Get Away With Murder” and revealed her cropped natural hair. It wasn’t a moment that required fanfare, but many Black outlets were happy to provide it because…we just don’t see this on primetime TV! I could obviously go on about how Black women and natural hair is shunned by the world, but this is about Rapunzel Jackson–a fictional character who is coming of age and thinks that a perm will help her find her “happily ever after.”  Above, you can find the trailer. We’re not sure when the film is being released and where, but make sure you check their Facebook page for more information.

Written and executive produced by Malia Dawkins, directed and produced by Dabling Harward, Samora Suber and Christina Ford, and starring Juanita Jennings, Morgan Ashley, Malia Dawkins, Bruce A. Lemon Jr., Marissa Herrera, Coley Mustafa Speaks, Demitris Dajoun, and Haley Powell, this film not only entertains, but educates the world about the of coming of age among young Black girls. Above, you can find the trailer. We’re not sure when the film is being released and where, but make sure you check their Facebook page for more information.

On the film’s Facebook page, there’s an intriguing question directly related to the movie: What beauty rituals or trends have you followed in the past in hopes of finding your prince or princess? How do you define your happiness?

 

 

 

 

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For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.