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It’s only fitting that Oprah Winfrey was on hand for the world premiere of the new documentary about the late Hollywood screen legend Sidney Poitier.
Not only did the so-called Queen Of All Media consider him a mentor and friend, she also helped produce the new film with Derik Murray.
Directed by Reginald Hudlin who worked with writer Jesse James Miller, Sidney made its much-anticipated debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, which sadly comes eight months after Poitier’s death at the age of 94.
Oprah Winfrey, 68, attended the world premiere of the new Sidney Poitier documentary, Sidney, which she co-produced with Derik Murray, at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, as part of day three of the Toronto International Film Festival
Winfrey, 68, was absolutely glowing when she arrived out front of Roy Thomson Hall, just feet from the red carpet.
Not only did she blind admirers with her spectacular silver sequin dress, but she was equally glowing with her proud and infectious smile.
Her striking metallic number came complete with buttons up and down the front, which were left undone at the top portion as well as the bottom.
That allowed for her rustic-patterned heels to shine through with the ensemble.
Blinding elegance: The so-called Queen Of All Media, who considered Poitier and friend and mentor, shined on the red carpet in a silver sequin dress and rustic-patterned heels
Shining stars: Winfrey would eventually share the spotlight of the red carpet with friend Tyler Perry, who has long considered Winfrey his mentor
On this proud evening, the legendary talk show host complimented the dress with sparkling earrings and a couple of matching rings.
The Mississippi native had her dark styled back off her face in the front, while it hung long on the sides and the back.
After striking a few poses on the red carpet solo, Winfrey was joined by friend and filmmaker Tyler Perry.
The writer, director and actor, 52, who has been friends with Winfrey and considers her a mentor, looked stylish in shiny black slacks that were paired with multi-colored jacket over a white shirt.
At certain points, the two stars wrapped their arms around each other for the photographers while laughing and chatting with each other.
Stylin’: Perry, 52, looked stylish in shiny black slacks , a multi-colored jacket over a white shirt, and black dress shoes on the red carpet
Digs deep: Sidney, which had been in development and production for five years, takes a wide-ranging look at Poitier’s life told in linear fashion and narrated by the actor himself through the use of eight hours of interviews done in 2012 with Winfrey, among other footage
Supportive: Winfrey’s longtime friend, Gayle King, was on hand to support the documentary
Sidney tells the story of the life and career of heralded actor and director, who has the distinguished honor of being the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.
The film, which had been in development and production for five years, takes a wide-ranging look at his life told in linear fashion and narrated by the actor himself through the use of eight hours of interview footage done in 2012 with Winfrey, as well as other archival interviews, according to Deadline.
Poitier’s family lived in the Bahamas, then still a Crown colony, but he was born unexpectedly in Miami, Florida, while they were visiting, which automatically granted him U.S. citizenship.
He would go on to moved to Miami at age 15, and then on to New York City when he was 16, all in the hopes crafting a career as an actor.
Poitier eventually joined the American Negro Theatre, leading to his breakthrough film role as a high school student in the film in Blackboard Jungle (1955).
Historic: Poitier, who grew up in the Bahamas, would go on to become the first Black Man to win the Best Actor Oscar with his performance in Lilies of the Field (1963
His guiding light: Winfrey long considered Poitier a mentor and friend; they are pictured together n Los Angeles in February 2007
By 1958, Poitier was starring alongside Tony Curtis as chained-together escaped convicts in The Defiant Ones, which received nine Academy Award nominations, including both actors who received Best Actor nominations, that was a first for a Black Actor.
He would finally get his historic Best Actor Oscar win for Lilies of the Field (1963), by playing a handyman who helped a group of German-speaking nuns build a chapel.
Winfrey has been open about which Poitier film is her favorite: 1965’s A Patch Of Blue. She watched it again when she paid tribute to her mentor after his passing by viewing his movies for 30 days.
‘I went back and watched that one in particular because he always said it was one of his favorites because it was so groundbreaking at the time,’ Winfrey said, adding, ‘And when you think of it, it is extraordinary. Poitier is in the park with a blind white girl.’
And although Poitier himself didn’t get to see the finished work following his passing in January, fans will now get to witness the measure of the man when Sidney drops on Apple TV+ on September 23.
Coming soon: Sidney drops on Apple TV+ on September 23; Winfrey and Poitier are pictured in Los Angeles in February 2014