Black History Month 2021 - Dana Library: Week One - Films

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Beyond Blaxsploitation

Blacks in Space: Imagining Race in Science Fiction Films

Celluloid Chains: Slavery in the Americas Through Film

Contemporary Black American Cinema: Race, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies

Contemporary Cinema of Africa and the Diaspora

L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema

Reflections on Blaxsloitation: Actors and Directors Speak

Arc of Justice: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of a Beloved Community
Arc of Justice documents the journey of New Communities, Inc. (NCI) in
southwest Georgia, a story of racial justice, community organizing, and perseverance in the face of enormous obstacles. 
Watch the trailer here.

Black Panther Woman
Black Panther Woman recounts Marlene Cummins’ journey through the Brisbane Australia chapter of the Black Panther Party, which was inspired by the American Panthers.  Watch the trailer here.

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror 
Horror Noire traces the untold history of Black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre.  Watch the trailer here. 

Race, Power, and American Sports   
Cultural historian Dave Zirin examines the ways in which sports culture has both reproduced and challenged dominant ideas about race.  Watch the trailer here.

Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photography and the Emergence of a People  
Watch the trailer here.  This film is also available on YouTube.

Wild Women Don't Have the Blues 
The lives, times, and music of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Ethel Waters, and other legendary women illustrate how the blues became a vital part of American culture.  Watch a preview here:

(All films are Rutgers restricted access unless otherwise indicated.)

PBS has produced a list of ten must-watch Black history documentaries.

Rutgers Libraries

— Alexander Street Press

— Kanopy
 

Another film source:
TubiTV is a free, ad-based streaming service.  Viewers can watch a wide variety of films from many different genres.  I am a big fan and I have a long queue with films ranging  from documentaries to popular to Italian-langauge and world cinema.  Tubi has a significant collection of Black Cinema.