‘La Vie Magnifique de Charlie,’ Makes Independent Magic in Los Angeles
Independent filmmaker Bobby Huntley II has been making the film festival circuit rounds with his smash hit “La Vie Magnifique de Charlie,” a tale about love lost, sibling sisterhood and Black girl friendships. Screening as a part of the 26th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival last weekend, “La Vie Magnifique de Charlie,” made a lasting impression on the standing room only audience at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw plaza after racking up numerous feature length film awards from Baltimore International Black Film Festival, Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival and most recently, the Peachtree Village International Film Festival. “Coming-of-age stories are some of my favorites to watch and create. I’ve noticed a lack of those for or about Black women – without heavy trauma and drama,” says Huntley. “We wanted to show the ups and downs of life, including death, but keeping the audience’s spirits up throughout the ride. Also, as a male, I wanted to see a film about women that doesn’t center around, or necessarily, bash men. There’s space for those stories to exist, too.”