Robinson Film Center hosts councilor led discussion following showing of 'The Color Purple'

On a winter night in Shreveport, people packed into the warm movie theater dressed in purple in anticipation to see Taraji Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino on the big screen.

On Dec. 29, the Robinson Film Center showed The Color Purple. Following the viewing the audience participated in a discussion led by Latoya Randall, LPC, CCTP.

During the discussion, Randall spoke on themes such as grief, trauma and loss found in the film's characters.

The main character Celie faces many hardships throughout her life but ultimately finds strength and sisterhood. This film discusses physical, mental and sexual abuse all of which were discussed by Randall following the film.

"We have to be willing to face what it is that we have dealt with in order to heal," said Randall.

Golda Easter a member of the audience said she could relate to the traumas highlighted in the film. She said, "I didn't cry, and I think it was because I could relate to a lot of the trauma that the individuals had to come to."

She continued by saying, "I had to do a lot of training. I had to do workbooks and I did a lot of crying before this. Had I not done the work to start the healing process to be at some amends with some of the things that I went through in life, I would have been bawling my eyes."

Randall urged members of the audience who have faced these traumas depicted in this film to get help. "If you need to deal with some things, unpack some things you haven't unpacked it's time to do it now, it's time to heal," said Randall.

To attend future events follow the Robinson Film Center on Facebook.

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Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: RFC hosts special talk after showing of 'The Color Purple'