African American Film Critics Snub “Rustin” on Top 10 List on MLK Day, Also Omit Jon Batiste’s “American Symphony”

When you have one task and you don’t do it:

The African American film critics association released its top 10 movies of the year today, Martin Luther King’s birthday.

So they snubbed “Rustin,” the movie about King’s famed associated, Bayard Rustin. They did list Colman Domingo, who plays Rustin in the film. But otherwise they ignored the film.

I mean, what can you say?

The AAFCA also snubbed Jon Batiste’s fine documentary, “American Symphony.” Picture me hitting my forehead with my palm.

Instead they just listed all the same films that all the critics groups have honored, like “Oppenheimer” or “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

The AAFCA did go big time for Ava DuVernay’s “Origin,” which apparently was manipulated, I’m told by sources. “Origin” didn’t get the number of votes required. (Head shaking.)

So what gives? And why take this group seriously?

AAFCA’S TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR

1. American Fiction
2. Origin
3. The Color Purple
4. Oppenheimer
5. Past Lives
6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
7. Poor Things
8. Anatomy of a Fall
9. Killers of the Flower Moon
10. Barbie

 
WINNERS | 15TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS
Best Drama: Origin
Best Comedy: American Fiction
Best Musical: The Color Purple
Best Director: Ava DuVernay (Origin)
Best Screenplay: American Fiction
Best Actor: Colman Domingo (Rustin)
Best Actress: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Origin)
Best Supporting Actor: Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction)
Best Supporting Actress: *TIE* Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers), Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)
Best Ensemble: The Color Purple
Breakout Performance: Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)
Emerging Filmmaker: Cord Jefferson (American Fiction)
Best Independent Feature: A Thousand and One
Best Animated Feature: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Documentary: Stamped From The Beginning
Best Music: The Color Purple
Best International Film: Io Capitano
Best Short Film: The After