'Zola' is a Modern Black Fairytale
It’s fun, it’s energetic, but it’s also understated and vicarial. Zola is a modern black fairytale and future of black movies.

To avoid further attacks on Kawatani (Hitoshi Ozawa) by the Hagane-kai, Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) prepare several safe houses. As a precaution, Yuki (Yuki Oki) is sent to inspect one—but after seeing something, he returns screaming in terror. When the Yamazaki group later gathers, a visibly shaken Yuki insists, “That house is haunted.” His claims are brushed off as pests—except for Saito (Katsuya), who clearly believes him. Soon, the group somehow finds itself sharing ghost stories, unknowingly marking the start of a truly frightening inspection…
It’s fun, it’s energetic, but it’s also understated and vicarial. Zola is a modern black fairytale and future of black movies.
Overall, 18 Presents feels more like a soap opera than a drama, and I feel bad for saying that since the concept is based off a tragic story (even though it’s loosely). I’m sure other people will find this film emotional for them, but as for me, it’s bland and forgettable.
Shadow & Bone excels in natural story representation with powerful centering of culture. Jessie Mei Li stars as Alina Starkov, the feisty cartographer with kindness, innocence, and integrity, who comes to be revealed as the legendary summoner of light.
We have a long way to go with LGBT representation in film, especially when it comes to LGBT characters of color and trans characters.
This 2024 musical film is based on the Broadway show and the 2004 film of the same name with major differences.
“Candyman ain't a 'he.’ Candyman is the whole damn hive." Candyman represents all Black victims of white supremacy, and this art form narratively conveys it in a succinct, adulatory way, the history of which is rare to find.