here’s everything that’s *black* and streaming on @criterionchannl in december.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/

NEW: 
the afrofuturism series, programmed by @_Ash_Clark, takes you on an international journey through black vision and creativity. 




afrofuturism: “white out, black in” (2014) dir. adirley queirós crafts an innovate documentary to take you on a voyage through brazil’s past, present, and future of racial struggle. http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/white-out-black-in
afrofuturism: “an oversimplification of her beauty” (2012) dir. terence nance
in this soul-piercing film, nance effortlessly captures romantic tension and a visual journey through the questions that keep every romantic up at night.
wondrous and urgent.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/an-oversimplification-of-her-beauty
in this soul-piercing film, nance effortlessly captures romantic tension and a visual journey through the questions that keep every romantic up at night.
wondrous and urgent.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/an-oversimplification-of-her-beauty
afrofuturism: “the brother from another planet” (1984) dir. john sayles
after a mute alien (THEE joe morton) crashes into harlem as a black man, he must find his way and get out of the way of the white hunters. http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/the-brother-from-another-planet
after a mute alien (THEE joe morton) crashes into harlem as a black man, he must find his way and get out of the way of the white hunters. http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/the-brother-from-another-planet
afrofuturism: "yeelen" (1987) dir. souleymane cissé
in this landmark african film a young warrior goes on a quest to confront his father, a dangerous and corrupt wizard who uses his dark magic to try and destroy him.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/yeelen
in this landmark african film a young warrior goes on a quest to confront his father, a dangerous and corrupt wizard who uses his dark magic to try and destroy him.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/yeelen
afrofuturism: "crumbs" (2015) dir. daniel tadesse
in post-apocalyptic ethopia, a hero embarks on a surreal journey involving witches, santa claus, nazi knights, and much, much more.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/crumbs
in post-apocalyptic ethopia, a hero embarks on a surreal journey involving witches, santa claus, nazi knights, and much, much more.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/crumbs
afrofuturism: "the last angel of history" (1996) dir. john akomfrah
this narrative documentary hybrid is a good place to start on your journey through afrofuturism as it explores the cultural aesthetics and dynamics of the philosophy.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-last-angel-of-history
this narrative documentary hybrid is a good place to start on your journey through afrofuturism as it explores the cultural aesthetics and dynamics of the philosophy.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-last-angel-of-history
afrofuturism: "space is the place" (1974) dir. john coney
an afrofuturist vision conceived and written by sun ra, in which he leads an intergalactic movement to resettle black people on a utopian space colony.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/space-is-the-place
an afrofuturist vision conceived and written by sun ra, in which he leads an intergalactic movement to resettle black people on a utopian space colony.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/space-is-the-place
afrofuturism: "born in flames" (1983) dir. lizzie borden
when a black revolutionary is mysteriously killed, women—across all lines of race, class, and sexual orientation—emerges to blow the system apart.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/born-in-flames
when a black revolutionary is mysteriously killed, women—across all lines of race, class, and sexual orientation—emerges to blow the system apart.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/born-in-flames
afrofuturism: "ornette: made in america" (1985) dir. shirley clarke
clarke masterfully captures ornette coleman's evolution from texas boy to cultural phenom in a documentary that, much like its subject, moves to its own rhythm.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/ornette-made-in-america
clarke masterfully captures ornette coleman's evolution from texas boy to cultural phenom in a documentary that, much like its subject, moves to its own rhythm.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/ornette-made-in-america
afrofuturism: "welcome ii the terrordome" (1995) dir. ngozi onwurah
this dystopian film depicts a world where black people are confined to a slum and how it changes after the police kill a black boy. 1st theatrical release by a black woman in the UK. https://www.criterionchannel.com/welcome-ii-the-terrordome
this dystopian film depicts a world where black people are confined to a slum and how it changes after the police kill a black boy. 1st theatrical release by a black woman in the UK. https://www.criterionchannel.com/welcome-ii-the-terrordome
afrofuturism: "once there was brasilia" (2017) dir. adirley queirós
the film charts the odyssey of an intergalactic traveler who goes on a mission to assassinate former brazilian president, juscelino kubitschek but things quickly go awry...
https://www.criterionchannel.com/once-there-was-brasilia
the film charts the odyssey of an intergalactic traveler who goes on a mission to assassinate former brazilian president, juscelino kubitschek but things quickly go awry...
https://www.criterionchannel.com/once-there-was-brasilia
afrofuturism: "supa modo" (2018) dir. likarion wainaina
a terminally ill girl wants to follow in the footsteps of her idol, jackie chan, to become a superhero. time is not on her side...until her community rallies together to make her dream come true.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/supa-modo
a terminally ill girl wants to follow in the footsteps of her idol, jackie chan, to become a superhero. time is not on her side...until her community rallies together to make her dream come true.
https://www.criterionchannel.com/supa-modo


1. "the changing same" (2001) https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-changing-same
2. "dark matters" (2010): https://www.criterionchannel.com/dark-matters
3. "the becoming box" (2011): https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-becoming-box
4. "hasaki ya suda" (2011): https://www.criterionchannel.com/hasaki-ya-suda


5. "native sun" (2011): https://www.criterionchannel.com/native-sun
6. "robots of brixton" (2011): https://www.criterionchannel.com/robots-of-brixton
7. "jonah" (2013): https://www.criterionchannel.com/jonah
8. "twaaga" (2013): https://www.criterionchannel.com/twaaga


9. "afronauts" (2014): https://www.criterionchannel.com/afronauts
10. "you and i and you" (2015): https://www.criterionchannel.com/you-and-i-and-you
11. "the golden chain" (2016): https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-golden-chain
12. 1968 < 2018 > 2068 (2018): https://www.criterionchannel.com/1968-2018-2068


13. "i snuck off the slave ship" (2019): https://www.criterionchannel.com/i-snuck-off-the-slave-ship
14. "zombies" (2019): https://www.criterionchannel.com/zombies
black lives: a film series that focuses on the dreams, desires, and art of black characters and real-life subjects. https://www.criterionchannel.com/black-lives
"symbiopsychotaxiplasm take one" (1968) dir. william greaves
in this wildy innovative documentary/fiction hybrid film, greaves weaves us through a documentary about the making of a documentary while a crew films a crew filming the crew of the documentary. https://www.criterionchannel.com/black-lives/season:1/videos/symbiopsychotaxiplasm-take-one
in this wildy innovative documentary/fiction hybrid film, greaves weaves us through a documentary about the making of a documentary while a crew films a crew filming the crew of the documentary. https://www.criterionchannel.com/black-lives/season:1/videos/symbiopsychotaxiplasm-take-one
“body and soul” (1925) dir. oscar micheaux
in paul robeson’s film debut, he plays a sinister minister who leads his town astray. this masterwork boasts social commentary that still resonates today. http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/body-and-soul
in paul robeson’s film debut, he plays a sinister minister who leads his town astray. this masterwork boasts social commentary that still resonates today. http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/body-and-soul
the blood of jesus (1941) dir. spencer williams
in this landmark film by the legendary director, an atheist accidentally shoots his religious wife. as she lies dying, her soul goes on a symbolic journey between heaven and hell.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/the-blood-of-jesus
in this landmark film by the legendary director, an atheist accidentally shoots his religious wife. as she lies dying, her soul goes on a symbolic journey between heaven and hell.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/the-blood-of-jesus
“portrait of jason” (1967) dir. shirley clarke
this mesmerizing portrait of jason holliday, a queer performer, demands your attention as he weaves you through and spins you around his remarkable world.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/portrait-of-jason
this mesmerizing portrait of jason holliday, a queer performer, demands your attention as he weaves you through and spins you around his remarkable world.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/portrait-of-jason
“losing ground” (1982) dir. kathleen collins
in this masterpiece, collins is able to do what few have done well: craft an emotional awakening that feels equally complex and breezy as this film chronicles an intimate look at marriage.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/losing-ground
in this masterpiece, collins is able to do what few have done well: craft an emotional awakening that feels equally complex and breezy as this film chronicles an intimate look at marriage.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/losing-ground
“imagine the sound” (1981) dir. ron mann
this documentary is a stunning tribute to the artists who helped forge the free jazz movement of the 1960s and shows architects of the movement in conversation and performance.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/imagine-the-sound
this documentary is a stunning tribute to the artists who helped forge the free jazz movement of the 1960s and shows architects of the movement in conversation and performance.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/imagine-the-sound
“cane river” (1982) dir. horace b. jenkins
this recently discovered tale of forbidden romance, set in louisiana, sweeps you in quickly and holds you in its loving gaze.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/cane-river
this recently discovered tale of forbidden romance, set in louisiana, sweeps you in quickly and holds you in its loving gaze.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/cane-river
“personal problems” (1980) dir. bill gunn
in this intimate peek into black city life in 1980, gunn creates a “meta-soap opera” that demands your attention. presented in 2 volumes as gunn intended.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/personal-problems
in this intimate peek into black city life in 1980, gunn creates a “meta-soap opera” that demands your attention. presented in 2 volumes as gunn intended.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/personal-problems
my brother’s wedding (1983) dir. charles burnett
in this timeless film, burnett examines class consciousness in a way that’s familiar to us all: through a wedding.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/my-brother-s-wedding
in this timeless film, burnett examines class consciousness in a way that’s familiar to us all: through a wedding.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/my-brother-s-wedding
“a dream is what you wake up for” (1978) dirs. larry bullard and carolyn johnson
this masterwork examines what the american dream means for 3 black families as they deal with the weight of racism, gendered emotional + physical abuse, and economic plight.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/a-dream-is-what-you-wake-up-from
this masterwork examines what the american dream means for 3 black families as they deal with the weight of racism, gendered emotional + physical abuse, and economic plight.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/a-dream-is-what-you-wake-up-from
“sidewalk stories” (1989) dir. charles lane
a poignant, nearly silent film that endearingly portrays the relationship between an artist and the child he is forced to play surrogate to.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/sidewalk-stories
a poignant, nearly silent film that endearingly portrays the relationship between an artist and the child he is forced to play surrogate to.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/videos/sidewalk-stories
“color adjustment” (1992) dir. marlon riggs
an illuminating documentary that traces forty years of race relations through the portrayal of the increasingly mainstream black life on screen. narrated by ruby dee.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/color-adjustment
an illuminating documentary that traces forty years of race relations through the portrayal of the increasingly mainstream black life on screen. narrated by ruby dee.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/color-adjustment
“12 o’clock boys” (2013) dir. lotfy nathan
this intimate documentary captures the thrilling experience of becoming a member of baltimore’s infamous black dirt bike crew.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/12-o-clock-boys
this intimate documentary captures the thrilling experience of becoming a member of baltimore’s infamous black dirt bike crew.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/12-o-clock-boys
“shakedown” (2018) dir. leilah weinraub
this documentary charts the 8 year run of shakedown, an underground black lesbian strip club in los angeles.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/shakedown
this documentary charts the 8 year run of shakedown, an underground black lesbian strip club in los angeles.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/shakedown
“black mother” (2018) dir. khalik allah
from its tumultuous history to its urgent present, this documentary is a loving and poetic tribute to jamaica’s yesteryear, present day, and beyond.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/black-mother
from its tumultuous history to its urgent present, this documentary is a loving and poetic tribute to jamaica’s yesteryear, present day, and beyond.
http://www.criterionchannel.com/black-mother