Black History Month is more important than ever in 2021. To celebrate this special month, individuals need to take the time to listen and learn. Watching movies about the Black experience is one way to do just that. Keep scrolling for a list of some of the best movies that discuss or display authentic Black stories!
- The Hate U Give
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Based on the 2017 best-selling young adult novel, “The Hate U Give” is about Starr Jackson (Amandla Stenberg), a girl caught between two worlds: her impoverished neighborhood and the elite private school she attends. While she can usually keep them separate, everything collides when Starr’s friend is shot and killed by a police officer. Along the way, Starr learns to use her voice to make change and stand up for what she believes in.
- Just Mercy
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Another book to film adaptation, “Just Mercy” is based on the true story of lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan). After graduating law school, Stevenson defends Walter McMillan, a man convicted of murdering a white woman. “Just Mercy” is a powerful look at the systemic racism that exists in our country and its justice system.
- Selma
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David Oyeolowo stars as the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King in this true tale. “Selma” documents the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama for equal voting rights. The movie made its own history back in 2014. The director, Ava DuVernay, became the first black woman to be nominated for best director at the Golden Globes and was the first Black woman director to have an Oscar-nominated film.
- Moonlight
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Another game-changing film, “Moonlight” tells the story of Chiron, a young man struggling to find his place and sexuality in the Florida projects. With very little dialogue, “Moonlight” relies heavily on the talents and emotions of its actors, including Mahershala Ali in his Academy award-winning role. It is also the first film with an all Black cast to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
- Malcolm X
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Another prominent figure in the Black liberation movement was Malcolm X, a man that history books love to frame as controversial. Director Spike Lee sets out to turn that narrative on its head. Starring Denzel Washington, this epic film is an in-depth look at the life and ideals of Malcolm X and gives another perspective and story of the civil rights era.
- When They See Us
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Based on a true story, five young men are wrongly convicted of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park in this Ava DuVernay Netflix limited series. Once again, this is another story that looks at the systemic racism evident in our justice system, and how harsh our prison system has become.
- Roots
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A runaway hit when it originally aired, “Roots” has cemented itself as a classic show everyone should see once. Based somewhat on author Alex Haley’s book and personal family lineage, “Roots” traces the beginnings of the slave trade and slavery in America. Following several generations of one family, “Roots” displays the lengthy history of slavery in America and the trials and mistreatment of Blacks throughout this dark period of American history.
- Homecoming
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And to top it all off, a fun entry to this list! “Homecoming” is the filmed version of Beyonce’s history-making and extraordinary performance at Coachella. Here, Beyonce performs her greatest hits and puts on a performance of a lifetime. All the while, she performs with a theme celebrating HBCU and her Black culture. Through her music and videos, Beyonce has consistently elevated the Black voice and created work that demands blackness to be celebrated.