A graduate of Salina’s Marymount College and current University of Kansas professor has been nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry. “BlacKkKlansman,” which KU’s Kevin Willmott co-wrote with Spike Lee, has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards. Willmott specifically was nominated for an Oscar in the “Best Adapted Screenplay” category.
“BlacKkKlansman” is a drama based on true events. It provides a provocative exploration of American race relations. In the midst of the 1970s civil rights movement, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) becomes the first black detective on the Colorado Springs Police Department. He sets out to prove his worth by infiltrating the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan and convinces his Jewish colleague (Adam Driver) to go undercover as a white supremacist.
Willmott hosted a screening of the film at the Salina Art Center Cinema back in October. Afterwards, he led a discussion about it.
Willmott is an American film director and screenwriter, as well as a professor of film at the University of Kansas. Willmott, a graduate of Marymount College in Salina, is known for writing and directing Ninth Street, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, and Bunker Hill.
“BlacKkKlansman” was nominated for a total of six Oscars, including:
- Best Picture
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Film Editing
- Best Director
- Best Original Music Score
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 24th.
(University of Kansas Photo)
