The Wedding is a 1998 television film directed by Charles Burnett. Based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Dorothy West and written for television by West and Lisa Jones, it stars Halle Berry, Eric Thal, and Lynn Whitfield, and was produced by Oprah Winfrey's production company, Harpo Productions. The story touches on the subjects of marriage, race, prejudice, color, complexion, class, and family in 1950s Martha's Vineyard. The film aired on ABC in two parts on February 22 and February 23, 1998 as part of Black History Month. The Wedding follows wealthy African American socialite Shelby Coles in 1950s Martha’s Vineyard as she prepares to marry a white jazz musician, confronting deep-seated racial and class prejudices from both families. It shows that prejudice is not just black and white, but also light and dark and have and have not! Through family histories and personal doubts, the story examines love, identity, and societal pressures. Its layered exploration of race, class, and relationships offers thoughtful viewing, especially for fans of period dramas. Plot: In 1950s Massachusetts, a wealthy black woman engaged to a poor white beatnik learns about her family history. The stories revolve around the racial and class complexities of interracial and class-based marriages. Storyline: Shelby Coles is engaged to marry talented white jazz musician Meade Howell, but the pair face opposition from both Meade's family, who object to an inter-racial marriage, and Shelby's parents, who want her to marry a professional. As Shelby is afflicted by premarital doubts, a handsome black man, Lute McNeil, arrives on the scene, determined to make Shelby his at any cost. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:
