Ava DuVernay Shows Love For Straight Outta Compton

About a week ago, Oprah tweeted at Selma director Ava DuVernay asking if she had yet seen Straight Outta Compton. DuVernay, who replied that she was curious at how her hometown would be represented, ended up watching the film during its opening weekend. She showed her praise for the N.W.A. biopic through a series of heartfelt tweets.

DuVernay viewed the movie, which was directed by F. Gary Gray, with friends at a theater in South Central and described her fellow audience members as “beautiful, alive” and “invested.”

DuVernay then tweeted about the film transporting her back to the era as she remembered witnessing “militarized Batterrams,” reports EW. She also recalled the Rodney King riots and the truce between the Bloods and the Crips, which was depicted in the film during a shot of red and blue bandanas tied together.

DuVernay, who is reported to be writing and directing a future project based on Hurricane Katrina, also talked about the treatment of women in the early days of hip-hop.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Straight Outta Compton debuted at No. 1 in the box office with an estimated $56.1 million. Cinemas throughout the country hired extra security due to the recent shootings. Women made up 52% of the audience.