Miramar hosts free screening of film on Venus and Serena’s rise to tennis stardom
Few theater seats are free these days, but they will be at a community screening of “King Richard” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Miramar Cultural Center.
Part of the city’s Black History Month programming, the movie screening showcases the history of legendary tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, and their father’s hand in their success.
The 2021 movie stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, and he won the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in 2022.
The film was also nominated for five other Oscars, including Best Picture.
Serena Williams is regarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time, having won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 73 WTA singles titles, 23 WTA doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Older sister Venus started her pro career at 15 after signing a contract with Reebok for the 2021 equivalent of $22 million. She went on to win Wimbledon five times among her seven major titles. She won 49 WTA singles titles, 22 WTA doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Their father, Richard Williams, is depicted as a strong-willed, opinionated man who had been planning the girls’ success before they were born.
The movie depicts the many obstacles he faced pitching his girls to coaches and the media in a predominantly white sport, coming out of Compton, California.
Register here to reserve your seat.
