{"id":3590,"date":"2024-02-18T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-18T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/?p=3590"},"modified":"2024-02-18T14:47:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T19:47:37","slug":"35-films-for-black-history-month-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/2024\/02\/18\/35-films-for-black-history-month-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"35 Films for Black History Month and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We’re more than halfway through Black History Month, but it’s not too late to start engaging with Black media and culture. This celebration was created in 1925 by historian Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), and was originally named Negro History Week. After spreading across America throughout the 20th century, Negro History Week was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. To learn more about the history of this celebration, visit BlackHistoryMonth.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American University Media Services is celebrating Black History Month by sharing 35 films (and series) from our collection that center Black stories. Whether you watch these films in February or beyond, these movies are all available on DVD for members of the AU community. Don’t have a DVD player at home? Don’t worry! You can borrow one from the library or view these films right here in one of our many screening rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Raoul Peck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on James Baldwin’s manuscript Remember This House<\/em> and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this documentary uses Baldwin’s memories of prominent civil rights leaders and personal observations to take a look at the history of racism in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belle (2013)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Amma Asante<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This period drama is inspired by the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the mixed-race West Indian daughter of a British aristocrat in the 18th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosewood (1997)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>John Singleton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A man rallies the Black residents of Rosewood, Florida to defend themselves from a racist white mob in this film inspired by the 1923 Rosewood massacre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within Our Gates (1920)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Oscar Micheaux<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oldest known surviving film made by an African-American director, this silent film tells the story of a Black woman who travels to the North to raise money for a rural school in the Deep South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BlacKkKlansman (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Spike Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loosely based on a memoir by Ron Stallworth, this film depicts Stallworth’s experiences as a Black detective in the 1970s infiltrating and exposing the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bessie (2015)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Dee Rees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starring Queen Latifah as renowned blues singer Bessie Smith, this biopic depicts her journey from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serafina! (1992)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Darrell James Roodt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the Soweto Uprising in South Africa fight against the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools in this musical drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hale County This Morning, This Evening (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Promotional<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> RaMell Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This non-linear documentary follows the daily lives of Black residents of Hale County, Alabama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glory (1989)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Edward Zwick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This historical war drama tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the earliest African-American regiments in the Union Army during the American Civil War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer of Soul (\u2026Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Poster<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Questlove<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questlove’s independent documentary explores the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival using professional archival footage of the festival, stock news footage, and modern-day interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Image<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Liz Garbus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This biographical documentary chronicles the life of singer and activist Nina Simone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Shaka King<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, this biographical crime drama depicts the betrayal of Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton by FBI informant William O’Neal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blindspotting (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Carlos L\u00f3pez Estrada<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A parolee with three days left on his sentence witnesses a police shooting and is forced to reexamine a lifelong friendship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Panther (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Ryan Coogler<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Marvel’s most successful movies, this Afro-futurist superhero film features the conflict between T’Challa, the new king of Wakanda, and Killmonger, an American-born challenger for the throne who wants to use Wakanda’s resources to spark a global revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Out (2017)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Jordan Peele<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut follows a Black man who discovers shocking secrets and danger when he meets the family of his white girlfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miles Morales, a young Afro-Latino who becomes his universe’s new Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker, learns what it means to be a hero with the help of other Spider-People from various parallel universes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malcolm X (1992)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Spike Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spike Lee’s biopic of Malcom X stars Denzel Washington as the Black activist and leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fences (2016)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Denzel Washington<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This film is an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a working-class father trying to raise his family in 1950s Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Color Purple (1985)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Steven Spielberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this coming-of-age film shows the life of a young girl trying to survive through extreme hardships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoop Dreams (1994)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Steve James<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This documentary follows the story of two Black high school students in Chicago hoping to become professional basketball players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Dynamite (2009)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Scott Sanders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this parody and homage to 1970s blaxploitation films, a former CIA agent called Black Dynamite must avenge his brother’s death while ridding the streets of a new drug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Collar (1978)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Paul Schrader<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This film examines working-class life in the Rust Belt as three Michigan auto workers face mistreatment from both the auto plant management and the corrupt union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Carl Franklin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starring Denzel Washington, this neo-noir follows a World War II veteran in desperate need of a job who gets drawn into a search for a mysterious woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorry to Bother You (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Boots Riley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young Black telemarketer is advised to adopt a white accent to do well at his job and is subsequently swept into a corporate conspiracy due to his newfound success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Heat of the Night (1967)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Norman Jewison<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidney Poitier stars as a Black police detective involved in a murder investigation in a small Mississippi town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Raisin in the Sun (1961)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Daniel Petrie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Black family dreams of a better life in a nicer neighborhood but faces backlash from their new white neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Spike Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This four-part documentary explores the devastation of New Orleans following the failure of the levees during Hurricane Katrina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moonlight (2016)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director:<\/strong> Barry Jenkins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This coming-of-age film shows the main character in three stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Watermelon Woman (1996)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Cheryl Dunye<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Black lesbian working a day job at a video storetries to make a film about Fae Richards, a Black actress from the 1930s known for playing stereotypical “mammy” roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a> or streaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Director: <\/strong>Barry Jenkins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young woman tries to clear her lover’s name of a crime he didn’t commit before their baby is born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Axe (TV Mini Series 2020)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Created by: <\/strong>Steve McQueen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This British anthology film series tells the stories of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement (TV Documentary 1987\u20131990)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Created by: <\/strong>PBS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This multi-part documentary about the civil rights movement spans topics from Brown v. Board of Education to the Selma to Montgomery marches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atlanta (TV Series 2016\u20132022)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Created by: <\/strong>Donald Glover<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comedy-drama series created by and starring Donald Glover follows a college dropout turned music manager and a rapper as they explore the Atlanta hip hop scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insecure (TV Series 2016\u20132021)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Created by: <\/strong>Issa Rae<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on Issa Rae’s web series Awkward Black Girl, this comedy-drama series follows an awkward Black woman navigating daily life in South Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen Sugar (TV Series 2016\u20132022)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Still<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Created by: <\/strong>Ava DuVernay<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three siblings deal with the aftermath of their father’s sudden death and must decide what to do with his 800-acre sugarcane farm in rural Louisiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available on DVD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more films and TV series by, about, and\/or starring African Americans? Check out Media Services’ African American Cinema and TV collection<\/a>. All movies and shows listed there are available on DVD for members of the AU community to check out. Happy Black History Month!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’re more than halfway through Black History Month, but it’s not too late to start engaging with Black media and culture. This celebration was created in 1925 by historian Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), and was originally named Negro History Week. After spreading […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":3593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,17,19,418],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3590","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-black-history-month","8":"category-news","9":"category-recommendations","10":"category-top-picks","12":"post-with-thumbnail","13":"post-with-thumbnail-large"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3590"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3655,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3590\/revisions\/3655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.american.edu\/mediaservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}