After the massive success of Moonlight in 2016, Barry Jenkins returned to the big screen with If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). His filmmaking style caught the eyes of film enthusiasts all around the globe. The romantic drama film follows childhood friends and lovers Tish and Fonny. Things take a different turn when Fonny is accused of something he did not commit. In this article, I’ll discuss the movie and tell you where was If Beale Street Could Talk filmed.
Barry Jenkins is an independent filmmaker who had a difficult life. He became a successful filmmaker much later. Before that, he had a rough childhood, and witnessed his mother turn into a drug addict. His father passed away when he was just 12. Eventually, Jenkins made his directorial debut in 2008 with the romantic drama movie, Medicine For Melancholy. He cemented his position as a filmmaker in Hollywood with the film Moonlight which won an Academy Award in 2016.
If Beale Street Could Talk stars a number of independent actors like KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Diego Luna, Teyonah Parris, Pedro Pascal, and Dave Franco. Luna and Pasal both starred in the Netflix original series Narcos but they appeared in different seasons. Whereas, Franco recently made his directorial debut with the horror movie The Rental which features his wife Alison Brie.
Now let me quickly answer your question about where was If Beale Street Could Talk filmed, the romantic drama movie was filmed in New York City, New York, United States of America.
If Beale Street Could Talk was first screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9th September 2018, followed by its wide theatrical release in America on 14th December 2018. The romantic drama film eventually arrived on streaming platforms on 12th March 2019. However, it’s time to move forward and learn more about the filming locations.
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Where Was If Beale Street Could Talk Filmed? If Beale Street Could Talk Filming Locations!
Barry Jenkis’ If Beale Street Could Talk turned out to be one of the top and best films of 2018. The AFI (American Film Institute) and National Board of Review declared the movie as one of Jenkins’ best works. The romantic drama film received a number of critical acclaim and was praised by critics all around the world. Indie Wires’ Eric Kohn gave the movie an A and applauded Jenkins’ remarkable direction and screenplay.
Many critics also expressed admiration for the cast, as they showcased a stellar performance. I have to mention that the movie’s cinematography, editing, and the background music were also spectacular.
Barry Jenkins is best known for his realistic indie movies. As I mentioned, he is an Oscar-winning director and has also won other accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award. If Beale Street Could Talk got an amazing score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 7.1 on IMDb. However, let’s get down to brass tacks and check out where was If Beale Street Could Talk filmed.
New York City, New York, United States Of America
Filming of If Beale Street Could Talk began on 18th October 2017. The movie was entirely filmed in The Big Apple. As the story is set in New York City, director Barry Jenkins wanted to shoot on location to stay true to the story. The cast and crew shot in multiple locations all around the city.
Some of the major scenes were filmed on Minetta Street and St. Nicolas Avenue, Manhattan. The scene where we see Tish and Fonny walking in the rain was filmed on Minetta Street. The department store where Tish worked in the movie is actually the Bergdorf Goodman, which is a luxury department store situated at 754 5th Avenue, Manhattan.
The restaurant scenes were filmed in El Quijote, a diner at 226 W 23rd Street, Manhattan. Remember the scene in which Joseph and Frank figure out how to get Fonny out of jail? Well, that particular scene was shot at Showman’s Jazz Club at 375 W 125th Street, Manhattan, New York City.
Plot Of If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) | A Tale Of An African-American Couple!
The story of If Beale Street Could Talk is set in the 70s and revolves around Tish, played by Kiki Layne and Fonny, played by Stephan James. Both of them have known each other since they were little kids and are madly in love with each other. They are engaged and have plans to marry soon.
As they’re engaged now, they set out to look for a new apartment but faced problems because most landlords in New York City at that time were white and won’t rent apartments to African-American people. After searching for days, they finally manage to get hold of a landlord who is not racist.
Kiki and Fonny move into their new apartment and have a wonderful time planning their future. Soon, everything turns upside down for the couple when Fonny is accused of raping a girl. Kiki and her family set out to prove that her fiancé is innocent and has not committed any crime.
Final Words
If you’re an American, I assume you’ve already been to The Big Apple. But if not, well, let me tell you that you still have time. It is never too late to visit New York City. Having said that, If Beale Street Could Talk is a movie that is highly recommended and if you haven’t seen it yet, you better watch it as soon as possible. The movie contains rough language and nudity, so make sure nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to watch it. And to read more filming location articles keep visiting the Oldflamescandles website.
Who Wrote The Screenplay Of If Beale Street Could Talk?
Barry Jenkins wrote the screenplay of If Beale Street Could Talk.
What Is The Tagline Of If Beale Street Could Talk?
The tagline of If Beale Street Could Talk is “Trust Love All the Way.”
Which TV Series Is Created By Barry Jenkins?
The Underground Railroad is created and helmed by Barry Jenkins.
Is If Beale Street Could Talk Available On Any OTT Platform?
Yes, If Beale Street Could Talk is available to stream on Hulu, Netflix, and Paramount Plus.
What Is The Best Quote In The Movie, If Beale Street Could Talk?
The best quote in the movie, If Beale Street Could Talk is:
“Sharon Rivers: I don’t want to sound foolish, but remember love is what brought you here. And if you’ve trusted love this far, don’t panic now. Trust it all the way.”
Which Are The Most Popular Barry Jenkins Films?
Moonlight, Medicine For Melancholy, and Tall Enough are the most popular Barry Jenkins films.
Is If Beale Street Could Talk An R-Rated Film?
Yes, If Beale Street Could Talk is an R-rated film.