Movies you thought you didn’t need to watch
The celebration of Black History Month is a crucially important part of modern tradition. Every year, the floor is given to those that need us to understand their stories.
These are the stories of some of the most influential people to ever live, stories where people changed their present for a better future.
This platform in our culture truly uplifts artistic greatness in many fields, but filmmaking particularly is on the brink of, or in the midst of, a revolution – one that has appeared more and more as the work of black artists in this field has been brought progressively further to the forefront of the industry.
For those interested in the American history of freedom fighters, the 2019 biographical film, directed by Kasi Lemmons, ‘Harriet’ follows the abiolitinist as she fights for freedom; escaping from slavery.
Her journey to safety for herself, her family and others is absolutely astounding as she confronts and challenges any danger that comes her way. Academy Award winner Cynthia Eviro portraying Harriet Tubman, alongside ‘Hamilton’s’ Leslie Odom Jr and Janelle Monae.
Moving onto the scientific side of history, another biographical drama ‘Hidden Figures’ is loosely based on the three African American women who were involved with NASA’s ‘Space Race’ win.
Set in the Langley Research Center; Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan working in a segregated unit by both race and sex.
The mathematicians whose intelligence changed the future for NASA by being their human computers, were eventually seen and appreciated by NASA. The 2016 film starred Taraji P.Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae.
Although racism is often depicted within a historical context, it is still alive and well in the modern day.
Interested in novels adapted to films? The young adult novel produced into American drama film ‘The Hate U Give’ is a modern story of 16 year old Starr Carter, an African-American girl who witnessed the murder of her child hood best friend Khalil by a police officer.
Feeling conflicted with her predominately white school, Khalil’s family and the rest of America who are following the story; Starr takes on the role of becoming a public advocate against police violence. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby and Algee Smith.
Into plays and musicals? based on the 1982 play ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, the 2020 American drama film starring Viola Davis and directed by George C.Wolfe is set in a recording studio which addresses race, art, religion and the exploitation of black culture by white producers in 1920s Chicago.
Black Bottom was Chadwick Boseman’s final film appearance. The movie was nominated for Best Actor and Actress by the Academy Awards
