In the light and celebration of Black History Month, I’ve
put together a small collection out of the vast library of highly-acclaimed
African American films. From Cicely
Tyson to Denzel Washington to Spike Lee, I’ve included some of the classic
films and mini-series that have come to contribute to my generation and others’
education of the struggles and contributions of Blacks in the past and
present. Now seeing as how there are
tons of film to go over that fit rather easily into this category, this assemblage
of titles are only a tip of the Black iceberg.
Native Son (1951)
Based on the novel written by
Richard Wright this film focuses on a young black poverty stricken man living
in 1930s Chicago. He takes a job as a chauffeur to a white family, which takes
a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills the teenage daughter of the
couple and then tries to cover it up. It stars Wright himself and Gloria
Madison. It was later remade in 1986
starring Victor Love and Matt Dillon.
Malcolm X (1992)
Denzel Washington continued his rise to fame by playing the
title character of one the most influential and sometimes questionable civil
rights leaders of our time. Directed by Spike Lee, the film also starred Angela
Bassett and ran for 202 minutes.
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Don Cheadle takes on the true-life story of Paul
Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who took it upon himself to house over a thousand
Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda. Sophie Okonedo and Joaquin Phoenix also
stars. The film really takes the
audience deep into the goings on of brutal civil wars within Rwanda and opens
its eyes as well to the awful genocide in other part of the African continent.
