By Imara Ikhumen
While cinema has been a mode of expression, conversation, and exploration since its birth, black people and other people of color have not always had the same opportunities to see their stories adequately represented on the screen. In many cases, it has been the task of individuals and less than Hollywood-sized teams to bring their own visions to life. Here we have 14 films from across decades, that were made by black people, for black people. Still, the films on this list proffer important commentaries which pertain to viewers of all races. Whether you’re quarantined indoors or not, these entries are worth a watch for anyone who appreciates or wants to learn more about black cinema as well as what black filmmakers have to say when they are able to control their own narratives.
1. Daughters of the Dust (1991)
Directed and written by Julie Dash and released in 1991, Daughters of the Dust was the first feature-film directed by a black woman to be distributed theatrically throughout the US. Not only is it visually stunning and beautifully written, but it honors and alludes to the history and struggle of a people that many have never heard of. The Gullah are Americans who descend from groups of African slaves who were secluded enough to maintain much of their African heritage and traditions while developing new ones to pass down. The film follows multiple generations of women in the Peazant family, as some members plan to venture to the mainland to join “civilized” society, while others persist in a desire to stay true to their ancestors.
2. Ganja & Hess (1973)
In the early 1970s, Hollywood discovered that they could cash in on the state of race relations between African-Americans and white Americans. They did this by hiring white filmmakers and black actors to make films which were the first to feature black people as leads and heroes, but these films often relied heavily on negative stereotypes to get across a message of black power. Though Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess was directed by a black man and does not share many, if any qualities of blaxploitation, it has been misnomered and overlooked by many as just another blaxploitation horror film of the era. What it is instead, is the extremely complex and haunting tale of a vampire and his lover, which is laced with metaphor and allusion.
This film also went on to inspire the likes of Spike Lee, (who we will be returning to soon).
3. Within Our Gates (1973)
Just 13 years after the very first feature film was ever released in 1906, Oscar Micheaux would become the first African-American to produce and/or direct his own feature film. One year later, he released Within Our Gates as a response to the infamous, extremely racist, Birth of a Nation. Within Our Gates is filled with black actors and actresses. If you haven’t already seen the works of Oscar Micheaux or Eloyce and James Gist, it’s possible that you have never seen this many black people in a silent film, and it’s certain that you’ve never seen black women and men being portrayed as educated teachers, doctors, and activists in a silent film. In addition, it is most likely the earliest movie to ever proclaim that feminism is not real feminism if it does not include women of color. Viewing Within Our Gates can be somewhat of a surreal experience, because it is not like any other known silent-era film. As a result, it almost feels like it comes from the future.
4. I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
Here we come to the first documentary on this list. I Am Not Your Negro is based on the unfinished memoir of the late African-American writer and activist, James Baldwin, called, Remember This House. This film quite literally gives a voice to the voiceless by presenting Baldwin’s reflections on civil rights leaders and on American history itself. While his memoir may never be completed due to his passing, James Baldwin’s work and his words reaches a wider audience due to the popularity of the documentary. If you haven’t already seen it, it’s very much worth a watch. If you have already seen it, it’s worth another watch.
5. Dope (2015)
And now another first in the list (but not the last): A comedy! Dope was produced Pharrell Williams and P. Diddy, so just that fact alone is enough to sell you on how great the musical aspect of the film is. But beyond that, Dope tells the heart-warming coming of age story of the rarely seen on screen “black nerd”. This film is filled with brilliant colors, great performances, and is founded on a premise that will keep the viewer feeling anxious, but give them frequent breaks for laughter and smiles.
6. Blacula (1972)
Once again, we have another blaxploitation-era film about a blood-drinking vampire. Like the earlier mentioned Ganja & Hess, Blacula was directed by a black man (William Crain) and does not share many similarities with other films of the subgenre, butis still widely known as a blaxploitation film. Blacula is not simply a remake of Dracula– but black. It’s much deeper than that. Gratuitous sexuality which is common to blaxploitation is replaced by romance, and the vampiric “villain” is one of the most empathetic characters introduced. Blacula is an allegory for the common struggle of black people to maintain their identities in the face of oppression while having the outside world place so many unwanted identities upon us. No one could make fun of you if you admit that Blacula made you tear up a little bit.
7. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
This was Spike Lee’s first “Spike Lee Joint”. While many people seem to be familiar with the Netflix show by the same name (also written and directed by Spike Lee), not as many seem to have watched the film that the show is based on. Even though Lee was not by any means the first black independent filmmaker, his work set the precedent for what others realized they could do on their by themselves and who they could reach with their work. Starting with She’s Gotta Have It, Lee has shown that you can make it on your own as a filmmaker no matter what resources are available. With this unique and funny film, Lee began a promising career that has allowed him a place in multiple halls of fame and inspired many other black filmmakers.
8. Pariah (2011)
Among the many groups of people who are underrepresented in Hollywood are of course black lesbians. Historically in film, lesbians have tended to exist mainly, if not solely for straight male pleasure or for mocking. On top of that, black women hardly ever see themselves being portrayed with the agency to search for and find their own sexuality. This coming of age story is founded on nuanced performances from the whole cast, but most especially by the lead, Adepero Oduye. She plays a character that anyone could sympathize with.
9. BaadAsssss Cinema (2002)
Seeing as we’ve now talked about two (alleged) blaxploitation pictures, it’s time to learn more about the subgenre through the interviews and clips of the stars who brought it to life. Despite brandishing the word “exploitation” as part of its nomenclature, the blaxploitation movement was still uplifting and inspirational for many members of the black community in the early 70s and even filmmakers of all races for decades to come. The subgenre produced some of the stars we still love such as Pam Grier, and music that we still recognize today, like “Superfly”. BaadAsssss Cinema is a must watch for any movie fan, to understand the origin of many of the troupes that are still used in film.
10. Black Girl (1966)
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For this entry, we travel all the way to Senegal. Black Girl is the story of a young woman from Dakar who moves to France to work for a wealthy couple. The film explores the experiences of Diouana, the titilure “black girl” in this environment that is quite unkind and unfamiliar to her. Ousmane Sembene, the writer/director would go on to be known as “the father of African film”, and would be recognized as one of the most important figures of African postcolonial independent film. Black Girl is undeniably sad and in some places even disturbing, but unfortunately, sadness and disturbance are a common side effects of listening to stories from the black past as well as the black present around the world.
11. Fruitvale Station (2013)
Speaking of disturbing stories of the present black experience… Fruitvale Station is the biography of Oscar Grant, taking place on his last day alive. Most know what happened to him, as his brutal murder at the hands of police was just one of the first in what feels like hundreds that would come to be captured on camera and released publicly. However, his story and his existence was so much more than that of a victim of police brutality. Without making assertions about who he was before his untimely death, Ryan Coogler is able to present a well-rounded picture of a multifaceted person who we might otherwise know almost nothing about.
12. Moonlight (2016)
Of course, most people have already seen Moonlight by now, as it continued to be the talk of the town long after its release in 2016. Still, this is a film that can be watched and rewatched. This film follows Chrion through three different stages in his life. He struggles to reconcile his sexuality with his identity as a black man, because he feels trapped by the expectations that are placed on him. There is no one way for a gay man or a straight man or a black man to look. Enhanced by exceptional cinematography, minimum, but well-written dialogue, and multiple Oscar-winning (and worthy) performances, Moonlight is a treat for the eyes and the heart.
13. The Watermelon Woman (1996)
The Watermelon Woman confuses the viewer’s understanding of what is documentary and what is fiction. Cheryl Dunye writes, directs, and stars in her very ambitious debut film. Through a creative storytelling format, Dunye presents the questions about the history of black women who acted in the earliest (and some of the most racist) films in Hollywood. She reminds us that many of their identities have been misplaced forever in time, and so through The Watermelon Woman, Dunye attempts to fill in some of what has been lost.
14.Miss Juneteenth (2020)
Another feature-length directorial debut on this list! Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth is a drama about a hard-working single mother/former holder of the Miss Juneteenth pageant title, who enters her disinterested 15-year-old daughter, Turquoise into the same competition in hopes that it will lead to her to a better future than her mother. This well-acted and soon to be beloved film was released in January 2020 at the Sundance Film Festival. It became available to watch in the US on the 155th Juneteenth in 2020.
BONUS! Look Out for This Film in 2020:
1. Zola
Zola is a film that everyone should watch out for this year. Do you remember in 2015 when a Twitter-thread about the insane situation that a stripper got roped into when ultra-viral? Remember how everyone said it needed to become a movie? I’m guessing you know what I’m about to tell you then… Zola premiered at Sundance in January of 2020 to very good reviews. If the film stays true to its source material, it will inevitably be a crazy ride. I’m looking forward to streaming this online or seeing it in theaters as soon as it gets a wider release!
