Charles Burnett is one of the great, unsung directors of the last 40 years. The fact that “Killer of Sheep” and “To Sleep With Anger” are two of the finest films ever directed by an African-American director is enough reason to celebrate this latest news.
Amazon Studios has hired Burnett to helm “Steal Away” about the daring theft and escape of Robert Smalls, a slave in 1862 Charleston, SC. Andy Froemke wrote the script.
Burnett was honored last year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences with a Governor’s Award for “his remarkable contributions to film and to American culture, with two of his films —Killer of Sheep and To Sleep with Anger — in the prestigious Library of Congress National Film Registry.”
The Chicago Tribune called Burnett "one of America's very best filmmakers" and The New York Times stated he was "the nation's least-known great filmmaker and most gifted black director.” Time for this man to make his first movie in 19 years, 2001’s “Annihilation Fish.” Thank you Amazon.
[Deadline]