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In celebration of Black History Month, we’re highlighting 28 films we love and the contributions they make to history, education, and the representation of Black lives in America.
Follow this thread as we recommend one film a day
Follow this thread as we recommend one film a day
DA 5 BLOODS
Spike Lee’s blistering film brings to life the untold stories of Black Vietnam war veterans, as four friends venture back into the country in search of the remains of their leader — and buried gold.
Spike Lee’s blistering film brings to life the untold stories of Black Vietnam war veterans, as four friends venture back into the country in search of the remains of their leader — and buried gold.
A LOVE SONG FOR LATASHA
Directed by Sophia Nahli Allison, this experimental documentary short beautifully pays tribute to the life of Latasha Harlins, whose death at 15 years old sparked the LA riots.
Directed by Sophia Nahli Allison, this experimental documentary short beautifully pays tribute to the life of Latasha Harlins, whose death at 15 years old sparked the LA riots.
HIS HOUSE
For his ambitious debut feature, Remi Weekes cleverly subverts the haunted house trope to confront the very real horrors that immigrants and refugees face when finding a new place to call home.
For his ambitious debut feature, Remi Weekes cleverly subverts the haunted house trope to confront the very real horrors that immigrants and refugees face when finding a new place to call home.
CANVAS
Filmmaker and former Pixar animator Frank E. Abney III and his team worked for nine years to create this short film, which follows a painter whose granddaughter helps him find the inspiration to make art again.
Filmmaker and former Pixar animator Frank E. Abney III and his team worked for nine years to create this short film, which follows a painter whose granddaughter helps him find the inspiration to make art again.
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME
Eddie Murphy delivers a rousing performance as Rudy Ray Moore, the pioneering comedian and indie filmmaker who took his character Dolemite to the big screen, and in turn made one of the greatest blaxploitation films of the 70s.
Eddie Murphy delivers a rousing performance as Rudy Ray Moore, the pioneering comedian and indie filmmaker who took his character Dolemite to the big screen, and in turn made one of the greatest blaxploitation films of the 70s.
I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO
Raoul Peck’s documentary uses James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript “Remember This House” to explore the history of race in the US through the eyes and words of one of our greatest literary voices.
Raoul Peck’s documentary uses James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript “Remember This House” to explore the history of race in the US through the eyes and words of one of our greatest literary voices.
SCHOOL DAZE
At first glance Spike Lee’s sophomore feature is an irreverent musical comedy, but underneath lies an exploration of the divisions found on campuses of HBCUs.
At first glance Spike Lee’s sophomore feature is an irreverent musical comedy, but underneath lies an exploration of the divisions found on campuses of HBCUs.
IMPERIAL DREAMS
Before John Boyega’s meteoric rise, he starred in this understated drama that exposes the never-ending obstacles that hinder those in poverty from succeeding. A difficult but necessary watch.
Before John Boyega’s meteoric rise, he starred in this understated drama that exposes the never-ending obstacles that hinder those in poverty from succeeding. A difficult but necessary watch.
THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION
Radha Blank's directorial debut is a razor-sharp comedy loosely based on her own life, which sees a woman fight back against gatekeeping and prove that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Radha Blank's directorial debut is a razor-sharp comedy loosely based on her own life, which sees a woman fight back against gatekeeping and prove that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
13TH
Ava DuVernay's vital documentary, which details the history of the 13th amendment and the intersections of race and mass incarceration in the U.S., isn't only a must-watch, but a must-rewatch.
Ava DuVernay's vital documentary, which details the history of the 13th amendment and the intersections of race and mass incarceration in the U.S., isn't only a must-watch, but a must-rewatch.
SEE YOU YESTERDAY
Stefon Bristol’s debut feature delivers sci-fi thrills grounded in the horrors of reality, as two friends travel back in time to save one of their relatives from a police shooting.
Stefon Bristol’s debut feature delivers sci-fi thrills grounded in the horrors of reality, as two friends travel back in time to save one of their relatives from a police shooting.
GOOD HAIR
Chris Rock stars and narrates this documentary that explores and celebrates the industry of Black hair. He said he was inspired to make the film after his daughter asked why she doesn’t have “good hair."
Chris Rock stars and narrates this documentary that explores and celebrates the industry of Black hair. He said he was inspired to make the film after his daughter asked why she doesn’t have “good hair."
WHOSE STREETS
Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis spent over a year in Ferguson, Missouri to document the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death at the hands of police, and the lives of protestors who want justice.
Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis spent over a year in Ferguson, Missouri to document the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death at the hands of police, and the lives of protestors who want justice.
MOONLIGHT
After watching Barry Jenkins’ tender love story, be prepared to never hear Barbara Lewis’ “Hello Stranger” the same way again.
After watching Barry Jenkins’ tender love story, be prepared to never hear Barbara Lewis’ “Hello Stranger” the same way again.
