The first time we see Victoria Rogers in Barry Jenkins’s “If Beale Street Could Talk,” she stands solemn and alone on what appears to be a rooftop against the backdrop of a dusky sky. Instead, in voice-over, the film’s protagonist, Tish, introduces Victoria as the woman who has declared she was sexually assaulted by Fonny, Tish’s fiancé. Tish’s voice-over is punctuated with pointed resentment toward Victoria. As Tish explains, Fonny was at home with her and a friend at the time, far from Victoria’s attack. And a white police officer — who has had a menacing encounter with Fonny — seems to have coerced Victoria into the accusation.

Source: New York Times December 27, 2018 15:00 UTC