Black films that amplify the voices of the unheard need a welcoming and cozy setting for viewers to watch, and WalkGood LA’s FilmGood initiative provides a space for them. Last week, FilmGood held a private screening of the ALLBLK streaming services new original film “Operation Aunties”, which premiered on July 11th. Walk Good LA is a community space that was founded in 2020 by Eteinne Maurice, a filmmaker, actor and son of the industry veteran, Sheryl Lee Ralph.
“Operation Aunties”, is about two friends on a mission to discover the culprits behind a ride-share service that is used as a cover up for a sex trafficking ring for vulnerable women. Carol (Melissa de Sousa) is a highly successful cryptocurrency expert and her best friend Sharon (Tisha Campbell) is a retired detective who both are on a mission to discover the villains behind a ride-share service worker who attempted to sex traffic Carol’s niece, Ameinah (Amiyah Scott).
Director of FilmGood and former vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists Los Angeles (NABJLA), Ray Love Jr. spearheaded the run of show and private screening. He said the following in regards to what he hoped guests took away from the film: “The best takeaway from last week’s screening would be the power of collaboration within our own community. It’s no secret that within our own Black community here in LA, there is a wealth of talent. And as we saw, this project came together with three people who are titans in their own right.”
Love Jr. also stressed the importance of having community spaces that allow Black creatives to network, be seen, recognized, and heard. The event is a partnership between NABJLA, WalkGood LA, and Galleryville Entertainment.
Before the screening, Our Weekly spoke to the moderator of the night and president of NABJLA, Shar Jossell, as she excitedly prepared to host a conversation with creators of ‘Operation Aunties’ director Wendy Raquel Robinson, writer and producer TJ Ali, and lead actor Tisha Campbell. “I always love when NABJ has the opportunity to be a part of things like this; doing mixers, screenings, and talkbacks is really exciting.”
Jossell also shared how she prepared to ask questions that focused on the greater meaning of the film — justice — as she is also an award-winning journalist. “One of the things I loved about this film is how frequently Black women are tasked with taking justice into our own hands. I think this movie is a fun twist on that because its comedy, its a thriller and its suspenseful. Anytime when there are stories that have nuance, including people who are on the margins, allowing them to be centered and amplified… sign me up!”
The film’s creative nucleus of ‘Operation Aunties’, TJ Ali (writer/producer), started writing the script back in 2020 as it was greenlit in 2023. A creative who believes in amplifying Black voices, also emphasized the importance of having a Black trans character in the film, who was the niece of Carol (Melissa De Sousza). That character was Ameniah (Amiyah Scott).
“The biggest takeaway is that, especially now more than ever in our community, we need each other. And this film is a call to action, to remind yourself that we can’t move through this world alone and sisterhood, brotherhood, family, chosen family.” He continued “We need each other, and I think because of the isolation that we’re experiencing due to digital media and social media and cyber I think it’s pulling us apart a bit. I hope this film what does is remind people to check on your neighbor, check on your friend, lean on each other, and support each other.”
Tisha Campbell, an Black Hollywood legend known for her role as Gina in the 90’s TV sitcom “Martin” and Jay in “My Wife and Kids” amongst many credits. In the Black community the term “aunty” can be seen as either a term of endearment to signify a woman’s respect from those who are younger than her or it can be interpreted as an insult, signifying a Black woman who is aging. Campbell does not feel offended by the term at all and embraces it.
“Aunties is such an endearing personal thing to call somebody, I personally feel like I earned that. I love being an auntie. I don’t look at it as an ageism type of thing some people do. And yes, they do get it, they get offended.”
She continued,” It actually means something different to me, because I’ve had nieces, I’ve had nephews, I’ve been the neighborhood auntie. I’ve been the auntie to all of my friends’ kids. This movie reaches out beyond just your village. Your village becomes your community. And so it starts out that we’re trying to save someone that is really dear and close to us, but it reaches us because now we have to save our entire community.”
The director of the film, actress Wendy Raquel Robinson who is known for her acting roles on “The Steve Harvey Show” and “The Game.” Robinson mentioned how technology and the use of artificial intelligence, right along with the theme of sex trafficking, also play a part in what makes “Operation Aunties” stand out. She also feels like this movie is educational.
“I call it ‘edutainment’. It’s a hybrid between educating the audience and entertaining them at the same time so they’re walking away with a message, but they’re being entertained. We’re really talking about some socially relevant issues such as we’re just hopping in [ride-share] cars with strangers thinking everything’s gonna be ok. You then [drink] some water and next thing you know, your life could be gone. This is very real, it is happening.”
Campbell then shared more about playing her role as Sharon, when asked if there were any moments in the film that were difficult for her due to the film containing the theme of sex trafficking. “I never feel uncomfortable because I put ALL of myself in each character that I play, [but this role] did offer me the opportunity to go into my drama bag, which people don’t normally look at me and see.”
She continued, “They don’t know that I started out in drama, theatre and musical theatre. I studied this and couldn’t get arrested [just] doing comedy so when I have the opportunity to do the other thing, to really utilize my craft, they [Ali and Robinson] allotted that. They allowed me to do that and I’m very happy as she [Robinson] was a great director.”
‘Operation Aunties’ can be watched on the digital streaming service ALLBLK. To learn more about the FilmGood initiative and their events visit www.filmgood.org.