4 Little Girls
4 Little Girls is a 1997 documentary directed by Spike Lee about the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church. In particular, it covers the lives, deaths, and effects on the families of the four girls killed in the bombing: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair. Lee has said that the film was a topic he'd wanted to cover ever since he first attended film school.
The film features portions of interviews with many relatives, friends, and associates of the girls as well as some of the politicians and civil rights activists involved in 1963. It also includes archival footage from the bombing's aftermath and news reports. Perhaps the most shocking footage, however, are the brief shots of the girls' autopsy photos.
The film received an Academy Award (Oscar) nomination for "Best Documentary, Features" and Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Non-Fiction Special" and several technical categories.
Birmingham showings
The film premiered on June 25, 1997 at the Guild 50th Street Theatre in New York. Its Birmingham premiere took place at the Alabama Theatre on September 13 of the same year. The audience for the invitation-only event, which included many of the girls' family members, was estimated at 2,000 people. Spike Lee was in attendance and addressed the audience before the film started, saying "I'm a little anxious how it's going to be received here." At the end, the film received a standing ovation.
The film opened to the public in Birmingham at the Carver Theatre, where it ran for two weeks, from September 19 to October 2, 1997. In that time, it is estimated 9,000 to 10,000 people attended. It earned $130,146 in box office receipts during its initial run.
The day after the premiere, state officials announced that prosecution of bombing suspects Thomas Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry was imminent. Both were later convicted.
References
- 4 Little Girls at the Internet Movie Database
- "4 Little Girls Spike Lee Documentary on 1963 Bombing Opens in Birmingham" (September 12, 1997) The Birmingham News
- "Rapt Crowd Sees '4 Little Girls' at the Alabama" (September 14, 1997) The Birmingham News
- "Don't Put Off Going to See '4 Little Girls'" (September 19, 1997) The Birmingham News
- "We Have Not Seen Last Of '4 Little Girls'" (October 3, 1997) The Birmingham News