Prime Video’s MAXINE’S BABY: THE TYLER PERRY STORY World Premiere at AFI Fest

Writer, actor, filmmaker, studio head and media titan, Tyler Perry, is an American mogul and icon.. But underneath this entertainment behemoth is a man working humbly to heal his inner childhood trauma by transforming his pain into triumph.. Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, a nod to his mother’s love, is a tender and intimate portrait of visionary and innovator Tyler Perry and his harrowing but faithful road to the top of an industry that didn’t always include him.

Nearly a decade in the making, with unfettered access, directors Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz lead us into the inner-world of a man, whose story has never fully been told, as he becomes a father and a media mogul with a mission to pave his own road to the top. The product is a profound lesson on remembering where you came from to know where you want to go. Starting all the way back to his humble beginning in New Orleans, Louisiana to his historic Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia you get to see how Perry overcame trauma, adversity, fame, success, fatherhood and naysayers in order to become the most successful black filmmaker in history. His unwavering dedication to his craft and willingness to follow the mission God put on his life allowed him to change the lives of everyone around him and then some.

Seeing how the character Madea was born was extra special as Perry reminds fans that his late mother is his biggest influence in life. What made this film so special was physically seeing her in real time talking about her love for her son and all they overcame together. There was not one dry eye in the whole theatre as everyone felt Perry’s pain, emotions, hardship and destiny. Watching Perry’s fight through the pain to create a better life for he and his mom was nothing less than triumphant. Now he has a son of his own that he gives the world to and a legacy that is cemented in history forever.

Perry shows the world how society wanted him to conform to their standards and how he broke every rule in place to do things his way. In the end, he has become the most successful black filmmaker in history, creating the blueprint for the next set up black entrepreneurs, filmmakers and dream chasers to follow with grace. Tyler Perry is not a hero because of his 6’5 stature, he is a hero because of his unwavering determination to change the world and invest in his community, while bringing everyone up with him in the process.

This is the story of the underdog! Those that were last shall be first. Tyler Perry is a living testament. As Maxine’s Baby debuted at the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, as a part of the AFI Fest the stars came out to support. Special guests in attendance included Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Tina Knowles, Debbie Allen, Mary Mary, Shannon Wallace, Cory Hardrict, Michelle Thomas, Charmaine Bey, Danielle Young, Kevin “Lucky” Johnson, Roshon Fegan, Gogo Morrow, Mignon Von, Natalia Barulich, April Reign, Barbara Sanchez, Juju, Demetri Durham, Natasha Marc, Tarek Ali, Taylor Morgan McPherson, Essence Atkins and more!

Checkout the official Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story trailer below!