Written by Ella Missell. Photo by Madisyn Welborn.
On Aug. 28, 1955, Mamie Till-Mobley found that her only child was murdered. Director Chinonye Chukka brings the audience back to that date with the creation of “Till”. Focusing on the perspective of Mamie Till-Mobley, who is played by Danielle Deadwyler, viewers are given a glimpse of how Till’s murder affected his mother and the community.
Emmett Till, played by Jayln Hall, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. When he was 14 years old, he went to visit his cousins in Money, Mississippi, which ended up being the site of his brutal murder. Emmett Till was lynched and dumped into the Tallahatchie River by white supremacists, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam.
Photos by Madisyn Welborn.
“Till” is a powerful and unforgettable film that takes viewers through the emotional turmoil that Mamie experienced. By focusing on Mamie’s actions after the death of her son, the audience witnesses the change that she put into motion. Deadwyler perfects her role by evoking every emotion natural to a mother. Each glimpse into Deadwyler eyes summons a deep feeling, whether it be a running tear or an infuriating clench, viewers react. “Till” is also visually stunning, using imagery to immerse viewers in 1955. It is apparent that when directing this film, historical accuracy was a priority. The film does not shy away from violence, either. This is shown especially in Till’s open casket funeral where his body was brutally beaten and unrecognizable.
When leaving the theater, viewers are guaranteed to have a new perspective on the death of Emmett Till and Mamie’s fight for justice. Mamie Till-Mobley spoke out for her son until the day she died in 2003. Bryant and Milam were charged with Emmett’s murder and lived until 2004. Finally, on March 29, 2022, an anti-lynching act was passed in his name. It took congress 67 years to give justice to Emmett and Mamie Till.
