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Independence Day is traditionally a major weekend at the box officer for many film studios. However, Independence Day is a bit more important in 2021 than it has been in past years. After a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters and studios are looking to bounce back with highly anticipated releases like F9, The Forever Purge and The Boss Baby: Family Business. Rounding out the slate of new films, Zola debuted in select theaters on June 30 before moving out across the country on July 1.
The year was 2015. Drake and Future just released What A Time To Be Alive, the Kansas City Royals had just brought home their first World Series in 30 years and the Obamas were spending their final months in the White House. In the midst of all that was going on, a Twitter thread captivated tens of thousands of people. Put together by A'Ziah King, the "Zola" thread told a bizarre story about how a dancer was coerced into sex work, witnessed a murder and much more. Six years later, King connected with Janicza Bravo and A24 and the thread was turned into a film. In a recent interview with Shadow & Act, King spoke candidly about the transition from Twitter to film.
"For whatever reason, I don't know why this shocks people, but people are shocked that I've been a part of the entire process and people are shocked that I feel I've been treated fairly," she said about her experience working with A24.
"Like...I didn't have a negative experience at all. So I don't know why that surprises people. I'm like, 'Do you know me? Like, what else would have been the outcome?' I'm very secure in my voice. So, my story is going to get told, period. Of course, I should be a part of it. That's the biggest thing I get asked that so much, people want to hear a horror story and I don't have one. Besides the one I already told."
Zola is currently available in theaters and will look to move up the box office ladder as the weekend progresses.
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