In honor of black history month, streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are celebrating by promoting media that portray black experiences and black culture. The line-up of films included in the Black History Month section are brilliant, with many award winning titles like Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th or Oscar-winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins. There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month, but supporting black artists and creators through film helps build an entertainment industry that includes everyone’s voice. The film industry is more than just entertainment. Movies and television shows can be a deeply personal, beautiful way to tell stories about the human experience, and they can also be a major form of representation and connection. That’s why it is so important that all stories are told.
Here are some films you should consider watching–if you haven’t already–produced by black directors and writers.
Written and directed by Jordan Peele (who you may know from the popular Comedy Central sketch show Key and Peele), Us is Peele’s second film after his debut Get Out. One of my favorite horror movies, Us is about a family vacation to Santa Cruz that takes a dark turn. The movie is full of creepy symbolism, a chilling soundtrack and an amazing performance by Lupita Nyong’o–not to mention an unexpected twist at the end. Us is more of a psychological horror movie rather than a typical jump-scare thriller, and Jordan Peele’s film is anything but typical.
Sorry To Bother You is one of those movies that leaves you completely speechless at the end. It was written and directed by musician Boots Riley and is a dark comedy drama. Sorry To Bother You is a surreal, unsettling commentary on class conflict in America, capitalism, human greed and racial disparity in the workplace. Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Mae Thompson star in this alternate reality fantasy world that tackles real issues in a brilliant, bizarre, refreshing way.
3. Black Box
If you’re looking for a sci-fi meets horror film, this is the movie for you. Black Box is an Amazon original movie, written and directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour. In this film, a man undergoes an experimental brain treatment after losing his memory and his wife, in a car accident. The movie unpacks issues such as trauma, the human psyche, domestic violence and how far one is willing to go for those they love– all while exploring the boundaries of science. Starring Mamoudou Athie, this movie is a captivating experience and a must-see.
Written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas, Queen and Slim is a crime drama, love story and thriller all in one. After shooting a cop in what would have been a fatal police encounter, a young couple is forced on the run after realizing it’s their only option. This movie shows the harsh reality of police brutality and what it means to be black in America, but it’s also a beautiful, raw portrayal of love and how intimate two people can become. Both Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith give striking performances in this film that should definitely be on your list.
What are some movies you’d add to this list? Tag @HerCampusSJSU!