What is Jenny from the block up to these days? Inquiring minds would like to know! Ben Affleck, the acclaimed 2x winning Academy Awards winner is back at it with his newest feat, directing the Amazon Studios feature film, “AIR”. Director Ben Affleck directs the story of Sonny Vaccaro and Nike pursuit of NBA basketball rookie Michael Jordan and the partnership that has revolutionized the entire world of sports and contemporary culture.
But where might Ben Affleck find the motivation and understanding for the culture? The answer was an all too familiar source, his wife, Jennifer Lopez. A fashion Icon and staple of pop/ r&b/ and rhythms, Jennifer Lopez has a firm grip with a finger on fashion, style and the pulse of urban culture since the early 90’s. In the film written by Alex Convery, Ben not only directs, but plays the role of Nike, Inc. co-founder Philip Knight.
Ben Affleck credits J-Lo with breaking down the significance the Jordan shoe played in the culture of African Americans which are widely responsible for the great reception of the brand. The black culture was, and continues to be a driving force on not only entertainment, but the entire landscape of how things are perceived and received. There aren’t many that understand how instrumental the partnership with Jordan came about. Matt Damon, plays the role of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro who is credited as the creator of the first initial Jordan shoe. You have to understand, in the early 80’s, Nike was considered a white corporate entity, and trying to conduct a business partnership with an African American athlete was a struggle. Ben Affleck explained that directing a film on the subject, it was important to place emphasis on the importance of black culture on the overall theme of the film.
In addition to his wife Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck took to some reliable resources to contextualize the film from Antoinette Jones, Chris Tucker, and co-star Viola Davis. Viola Davis plays the role of Michael Jordan’s mother in the film and adds a true to life element to the film.
