The new documentary about The incredible life of Tyler Perry and career had its world premiere at the 2023 AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, directed by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz for Amazon Studios, provides an intimate look at his “harrowing but faithful path to the top of an industry he wasn’t always involved in,” according to IMDb.
It took him from a childhood described as a “living hell” all the way to a billionaire media mogul.
The documentary not only premiered at the festival, but was also selected as the Centerpiece Screening for this year’s event, which was held Friday at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
In addition to Perry, the film also features Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Kenya Barris, Killer Mike, Gayle King, Ari Emanuel, Mellody Hobson, Lucky Johnson, TD Jakes, Mark E. Swinton, Michael Paseornek, Ozzie Areu, Elvin Ross, Keleigh among others Thomas Morgan, Debra Lee and Tim Palen.
AFI Fest: Tyler Perry, 54, spent a lot of time chatting with longtime girlfriend Oprah Winfrey, 69, at the world premiere of the new documentary Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story
Before the screening, the acclaimed filmmaker took a tour of the red carpet with many of his friends and colleagues.
Perry, who had his first name legally changed from Emmitt to Tyler at age 16 in an effort to distance himself from his father, showed off his fashion sense in dark slacks with a hint of purple, paired with a lavender shirt and a black leather jacket. .
He made sure to share the red carpet spotlight with Winfrey, who he says inspired him to pursue a career as a writer after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show in his early 20s.
On that particular show, Perry heard someone describe the sometimes therapeutic effect that writing can have, so he did just that.
He soon began writing a series of letters to himself, which formed the basis for his first successful play, I Know I’ve Been Changed (1993), which focused on issues of child abuse and rape.
Winfrey, 69, lounged next to Perry during a photo round, wearing an all-white suit consisting of slacks, a blazer and a blouse.
To complete her chic ensemble, the so-called Queen Of All Media also wore a pair of gray pointy shoes, and had her dark locks styled with an extra dose of volume and soft waves, along with a subtle part just to the left.
On more than one occasion, the longtime friends showed off their chemistry by bursting into laughter as photographers darted away.
Chemistry: Winfrey and Perry showed off their undeniable chemistry while on the red carpet, including a huge laugh-fest
Chic: Winfrey looked stunning in a white suit consisting of trousers, a blazer and a matching blouse
Working: Perry and Winfrey were joined on the red carpet by British actor and director David Oyelowo, 47, who looked stylish in a gray patterned suit and black shirt
Family Matters: Perry also spent time with family at the premiere, including his aunt Jerry Banks, who was stunning in a dark blue dress
Show of support: Fame star Debbie Allen, 73, was also on hand to lend her support
Sharing the spotlight: The billionaire media mogul also posed with the two directors of the documentary, Armani Ortiz, Gelila Bekele
British actor and director David Oyelowo eventually joined the Winfrey-Perry duo on the red carpet for a photo round.
The Selma star, 47, looked handsome in a gray patterned suit which he wore with a black shirt and black shoes.
Perry also spent time with family at the premiere, including his aunt Jerry Banks, who was stunning in a dark blue dress, and with Fame actress Debbie Allen, 73.
The Madea’s Family Reunion star also posed with the documentary’s two directors, Armani Ortiz and Gelila Bekele.
“Working on this film over the past decade has been a life-changing journey for both of us,” said Bekele and Ortiz. Perry’s website. “It was truly awe-inspiring to get to know the man behind the icon while witnessing the transformative impact of Mr. Perry’s work across communities. We hope this film is more than a road to success story, but rather a meditation on healing, unconditional love and an inspiration to audiences.”
Some of the other high-profile people in attendance at the world premiere included film producer Mark E. Swinton, actor Elijah Collins, Deance Wyatt, All the Queen’s Men star Skyh Black, Sistas actress KJ Smith, If Loving You Is Wrong star Edwina Findley and Beyonce’s mother Tina Lawson.
Perry wrote and produced many plays in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Stylin’: Beyoncé’s mother Tina Lawson, 69, wore a black suit with a plunging neckline
Shows of support: Mark E. Swinton, Elijah Collins and Deance Wyatt also gathered for a photo
Leggy: If Loving You Is Wrong star Edwina Findley, 42, was hard to miss in a shimmering wind ensemble and open heels
Color-coordinated: Skyh Black, 35, and KJ Smith, 36, were a perfect match in all black
His breakthrough came when he wrote, produced and starred in the romantic comedy-drama film Diary Of A Mad Black Woman (2005), an adaptation of his play of the same name.
His films as writer, director and star include Madea’s Family Reunion (2006), Why Did I Get Married? (2007), Meet The Browns (2008), Madea Goes to Jail (2009), I Can Only Do Bad (2009), Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011), Good Deeds (2012), A Madea Christmas (2013 ), The Single Moms Club (2014) and Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016).
Taking place October 25-29, AFI Fest is the American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence. It’s a showcase for the year’s best festival films and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to connect with audiences in the film capital of the world.
It is the only festival of its size that is free to the public.
