Bree's Black History Watch List

 

    This month I’ve been determined to find ways to celebrate consciously, something I’ve found difficult since graduating from the structured activities of academia. Luckily, streaming has made it extremely easy to (literally) observe Black History Month in the safety of our own homes! So, I’ve been intentional about watching stories that highlight the black experience and boast creative involvement from black people off camera as well. So without further ado, here are the top 4 films on my Black History Month Watch List for 2021:

One Night in Miami

It’s the era of the play on film! I started watching this without realizing that it was based on a play, but stopped to google this fact after realizing that characters were repeatedly talking for way too long without interruption. The source material is clearly rich, and that combined with first time director Regina King’s brilliance, makes for a tour de force of a film. Leslie Odom Jr. has been a favorite actor of mine since the days of NBC’s Smash, but Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, and Aldis Hodge round out the rest of the cast just as impressively. Watching men who have become larger than life work through personal struggles, doubts, and squabbles certainly reduces them back to the likes of men. But when we remember that our heroes are in many ways just like us, it gives us the courage to take heroic action ourselves.

Judas and the Black Messiah

This film was without a doubt my most anticipated watch of 2021 and we’re only in the second month. But I can easily say that neither of my men, Daniel nor LaKeith, disappointed! Surrounded by a stellar supporting cast, these two led me on a gripping journey through the short but powerful life of Fred Hampton. If you’re in the majority of people who learned growing up that the Black Panther Party was nothing but a terrorist organization, you’ll appreciate the way the film sheds light on their focus as a group. It’s not an easy watch but it’s an important one, and as an artist I’m inspired and excited to see work like this being produced and distributed in our lifetime.

Malcolm & Marie

If you were a fan of the iconic fight scene in Marriage Story (2019), then this is the film for you! Malcolm & Marie is a 146 minute sparring match between its two leads that lives in tension and revels in the climaxes of their conflict. Critics are right in saying that it missed some marks, but there were many things to like about this film as well. Of course, it’s exciting to see Zendaya continue to grow and develop as an artist. I was also impressed to find out that she and John David Washington were given a lot of creative agency in the making of the film. I think it’s important for actors to find ways to control and contribute to the stories they tell, rather than only ever being vessels for the thoughts and ideas of others. And even if you don’t care about Zendaya or Washington, the film is worth watching for its visuals alone. The black and white color palette for the lavish house, clothing, and landscape of the film gives you the sense that you’re back in time, watching a classic drama with gravitas akin to Casablanca.

The Photograph

Thank God for the return of the romance genre! This may be an unpopular opinion, but I miss the days of a nice dramatic film about nothing more than the obstacles a couple faces in finding their happily ever after. Even better, it’s so exciting to see fresh life breathed into this genre with not just one, but two pairs of dark skinned black leads. We rarely get to see depictions of black love on screen that aren’t tainted by abuse or overwhelmed by societal drama. Watching Issa and LaKeith smirk and giggle over dinner and boxes of photographs, I couldn’t help but smile. The chemistry and levity between these two characters is warming and engaging, reminiscent of Noah and Allie’s passionate, but tumultuous “Notebook” love. Not to mention, the soundtrack is honestly intoxicating. The release of the film was unfortunately cut short last year by the pandemic, but it is now available to stream on HBO Max and it’s a beautiful way to celebrate this month!

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

This was my first watch of the list, and it was a great way to kick things off! My love for Viola Davis knows no bounds so as soon as I saw her name attached to the project I knew I’d be tuning in. And of course, who would miss out on the chance to see the late Chadwick Boseman’s last performance? (One which has now very deservedly been nominated for a Golden Globe). Like 2016’s Fences, this is another adaptation of part of August Wilson’s Century Cycle. This film really honed in on its source material, taking place mostly in two rooms of a recording studio, and filled with uninterrupted monologues bordering on poetry. The interweaving of jazz elevated the dramatic text and helped the characters achieve an almost mystical status. Whether or not you’ve seen the play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a beautiful and moving historical depiction of the black experience in the music industry and how it parallels real life.

What films have you been watching for the culture? Anything you think should be added to this list? Drop a comment below and let us know!