Lisa Doris Alexander, author of The New Black Film Canon asserts that there exist numerous films that are not part of the film canon of Black cinema that provide more enthralling representations of Black characters than what has been popular for years.
Barry Jenkins’ Medicine for Melancholy, a love story that focuses on the details and Nikyatu’s workplace drama Aisha explores the complexities of existence with the backdrop of an wealthy Manhattan family. The two films are essentials to see if you’re interested Black Cinema.
1. The Blood of Jesus (1940)
In the year Slate published the New Black Film Canon seven years ago, it was the latest part of a long line of acclaimed lists highlighting some of the most significant culturally important films directed by Black directors.
Spencer Williams’ 1941 movie that was a morality and religious drama , shot in Texas on a budget of $5,000. It was the first movie that went into the registry. It’s a landmark in the genre of race films and an important account of the history of Black Southern Baptist culture.
2. Bessie (1995)
Bessie Coleman, at the time of her 18th birthday had saved up enough funds for Langston University in Langston (formerly Colored Agricultural and Normal University). She dropped out of college after one semester, because the cost was prohibitive.
The narrative shows that an individual is capable of overcoming any obstacle. This compelling story offers a strong message for Black girls that encourages them to be bold and to follow their ambitions.
3. The Loss of Ground (1988)
Losing Ground was the film of an African American female director who was inducted into the National Film Registry. It tells the story about the life of a Black woman who is a teacher and her husband, an abstract painter.
Kathleen Collins, a multi-talented director, unites her various skills in this study of characters. The result is quite a shock! It is a stunning film-making masterpiece, that Milestone Films has recently restored to theatrical and physical release.
4. The House on Mango Street (1960)
Sandra Cisneros has written The House at Mango Street, a story about Esperanza Corero. The tale is based on her experiences when she was a young girl growing up in a low-income Mexican American neighborhood.
The collection is composed of various sketches that reflect on the events of Esperanza’s past. These vignettes offer a glimpse into the social and cultural problems faced by the Chicanas who live in Chicago’s Hispanic quarter.
5. The Smell of Success (1980)
The Smell of Success (or SLOB for short) is an Oscar worthy nominee for best film of the year. With Burt Lancaster in the lead performance, this extravagant one is bound to delight. Actors like Michael Caine, Phyllis Smith and many more are in the film. It’s an excellent film from beginning to end.
6. The Last Picture Show (1960).
NPR and Slate collaborated to broaden the Black Film Canon The Black Film Canon is it is a collection of top films directed by Black filmmakers. Both the gatekeepers as well as the creators of top-of lists have to think about the diversity of creative talent Black filmmakers display onscreen, in spite of historical obstacles.
This selection from director Peter Bogdanovich is an adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s semi-autobiographical novel. The story is set in small Texas and explores the friendship between two seniors from high school.
7. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (1968)
One of the greatest films of the 1970s is the Taking of Pelham 1. 2 3. This is a very well-made thriller with a plot that’s effective and practical.
Four armed men are able to take over a New York subway train, demanding a ransom for one million dollars. Then there is a chief of the transit police (Walter Matthau) battles city hall as well as his own employees to ensure the train’s passengers safe.
8. The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers (1980) is the perfect place to start your journey into great Black. This show features Jake as well as Elwood Blues who are a couple who were Saturday Night Live pioneers John Belushi (Dan Aykroyd)
It is their love for music that creates the movie’s principal theme. It leads them to many of the best blues and soul artists from Chicago. It also dedicates a large portion of the film to standard, absurd, car chases.
9. The Godfather, 1972
It is possible to begin your journey towards a amazing Black cinema with The New Black Film Canon. The Godfather was the first film to establish a new genre of movies about organised crime. It also set the standards for these films.
The film was an immediate popularity with both critics and viewers alike, and it rekindled the career of star Marlon Brando. It set the stage for Coppola as a major actor in the industry.
10. The Sun is a Raisin (1963)
The New Black Film Canon is your ideal place to start looking for the best Black films from the past. This is an emerging movement of literary tastemakers as well as social media influencers, and media professionals who are digging up older films and bring their originality back.
There are spirited portraits which are fresh and contemporary in every time period along with films created before the introduction of the Internet. The films are well worth the time.
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