Blitz Bazawule’s remake of The Color Purple won first place at the NAACP Image Awards.
The film, a reinterpretation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, won best picture at the ceremony held Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
“American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino won Best Actress for her role as Celie in the film, while “Hidden Figures” star Taraji P. Henson took home Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Shug Avery and Colman Domingo won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Albert “Mister” Johnson.
The story depicts the coming of age and self-realization of Celie, a young African-American girl who overcomes oppression and abuse to find fulfillment and independence.
Domingo also won in the Best Actor category for his role in “Rustin,” the man who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington.
Rap superstar Usher was honored with the Entertainer of the Year award following his halftime show at the Super Bowl earlier this year.
It had also been previously announced that the Grammy winner would receive the President’s Award during the ceremony.
Oprah Winfrey, who starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover in an earlier version of The Color Purple in 1985, made a surprise appearance to present Usher with the entertainment award.
The 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards were hosted by rapper and actress Queen Latifah.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded in 1909 in response to ongoing violence against blacks and, with more than two million activists, is the largest and most important civil rights organization in the United States.
The Image Awards recognise outstanding achievements and achievements by black and ethnic minorities in the arts.
