5 Films to Watch This Month — Black History Month
As seen in the Student USW Psychology magazine, published by Sulci
As a part of Black History Month, I have put together 5 of my favorite films that highlight black history that I think are worth checking out! While some of these picks may be difficult to watch, I find that it is important to remember these events and the people that stood up against racism, fought against segregation and still stood up to tell their story.
Hidden Figures
At a time when racial segregation was enforced in America, Hidden Figures (2016) highlights what that was like for the African-American women working at NASA — working around the clock to send an American astronaut in to space.
The Guardian:
“A although it looks like a movie…. Its actual ambitions seem far more modest: to entertain a lot, to educate a bit and to cheerlead…
Available on Disney+ | Based on a true story | Read the book
Pixar: Soul
Jamie Fox, who voiced over the main protagonist -Joe Gardener, was the first black person to lead in any Pixar film.
Soul is definitely one to watch with the family. It has an interesting and unique story, full of music, intriguing characters, humor, and souls… the cute and fun kind of souls!
During a busy day in New York City, Joe Gardener is having one of the best days of his life, until he gets himself in to a serious accident causing his soul to leave his body, putting him into an unfamiliar space…
Available on Disney+ | enjoyable with the family | Great soundtrack
12 years a slave
The New York Times:
“The genius of “12 Years a Slave” is its insistence on banal evil, and on terror, that seeped into souls, bound bodies and reaped an enduring, terrible price.”
Based on an autobiography by Solomon Northup, this historical account tells a story of how he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1843.
While some scenes may be hard to watch, this film displays some of the horrors that millions of slaves had to go through during this time.
Available on Netflix | Some upsetting scenes | Read the book
Two Distant Strangers
This 32-minute drama is an Oscar-winning short film, only on Netflix. This short highlights how black Americans have encountered the police in deadly run-ins by just walking to the shop, parking their car or by even sleeping in their own bed.
In this short film, a man gets stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day everyday trying to get home to his dog. Every day, he encounters a police officer that ends in a fatal dispute — then the clock resets…
Watch on Netflix | Short Film | Some upsetting scenes | Oscar-Winning
13th
This Documentary is titled after the United States 13th Amendment that abolished slavery.
In this documentary, a group of people analyse how slavery, after the 13th amendment, still continues in the US within the prison system.
Watch on Netflix | Documentary | Educational
I hope some of these films appealed to you, because I love them all! Have you seen any of these before? They’re all definitely worth watching, especially the first few!
I wrote this article for the Student Psychology magazine at the University of South Wales, you can read the entire issue in the first link below! All the articles in there are such a great read and the entire publication of the issue was worked on so hard by all the editors and writers.
Special thanks to my new followers, Ludovic Sammiquel, Christina Hastings and Asma Owais, for seeing me through my writing journey!
Sulci Issue 12 by Sulci USW Psychology Student Magazine — Issuu
