Looking for some Afro-centric entertainment? Check out these movies and immerse yourself in Black culture. This is just a sampling from one Blerds perspective.
Black Panther – This is a significant achievement in cinema as well as in the superhero genre. Featuring an up-and-coming African-American writer/director Ryan Coogler and a predominately African-American cast. The costumes, soundtrack and production design captured the imagination of an Afrofuturistic world.
Who We Are – There are a plethora of documentaries that chronicle the journey of the African-American diaspora. ‘Eyes On The Prize’ is typically the go to offering. While it’s comprehensive in its information it is dated in its production. ‘Who We Are’ is a more modern project with a singular perspective. With eyewitness accounts and civil rights artifacts, it delves into the history of racism from an academic perspective. Presented by lawyer Jeffrey Robinson, it provides new and evocative data.
Barber Shop – Calvin(Ice Cube), an African-American barbershop owner, contemplates the future of his failing business and the future of his family. Not realizing the cultural impact of this neighborhood institution, he decides to sell the shop to recoup his losses. His wife and employees are devastated, so he tries to renege on the sale but the lone shark he sold it to refuses to cooperate. Chaos ensues as he fights to hold on to his father’s legacy.
A snapshot of Black culture in Chicago. No drug dealers. No violence. Just enough criminality to make it interesting but balanced by the joy of being Black.
The Last Dragon – Affectionately known as Bruce Leroy, a 20-something martial arts instructor(Taimak) and avid Bruce Lee fan has a chance encounter with a local celebrity, Laura Charles(Vanity). His friendship with her compels him to help her fight off a nefarious music producer seeking to bring her into his fold. His quest for the ‘glow’, a visual aura that surrounds a martial arts master’s body, reveals his confidence, the real source of his power.
Malcom X – The long-awaited biopic of the Civil Rights icon written and directed by Spike Lee gives a narrative account of a man in search of truth. A product of the inept foster care system, Malcolm Little(Denzel Washington) navigates life in the early 20th century as a Black American. While incarcerated, he finds belonging and purpose in the Nation Of Islam. Internal struggles with the other ministers only deepen his spiritual and socio-political commitment thus propelling him to martyrdom.
Hidden Figures – Known as ‘computers’, a cadre of extraordinary Black women are showcased inside NASA during the space race of the mid-20th century. The lives of three women in particular are revealed in intimate detail as they fight against sexism and racism for the opportunity to do their work inside the space agency.
On one hand we get to see the untold story of how Black women were integral to the space race. On the other hand, “What took you so long?!”
Nappily Ever After / Good Hair– Everyone needs to see at least one film (fiction or non-fiction) about Black hair. Both films remind or reveal the reconciling of personal and professional values of Black folks surrounding the issue of how to wear our hair. While both films center around Black women specifically, these films explore the ramifications of the wearer and beholder of natural hair.
You People – Directed by Kenya Barris(black-ish) and written by Barris and Jonah Hill, this guess-who’s-coming-to-dinner-esque family dramedy explores different perspectives of interracial marriage. A stellar cast of comedy legends takes us on a humorous yet poignant ride of family dynamics.
Sinners – A cinematic experience from the same director that gave us ‘Black Panther’. Two brothers leave gangland Chicago to start their own juke joint in 1930’s Mississippi. Even if you think it is nothing more than a re-telling of ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’, this film has made an indelible mark on American cinema. Beyond the plot and characterizations, the cultural themes are inescapably immersive.
