I know this post is a little late but Happy Black History Month!! a lot of people ask why we still celebrate black history month. Why is it still relevant? I mean don’t get me wrong. I’m not questioning this at all. This month is a constant reminder that society as we know it wouldn’t be the same without black influences and their contributions. Where would poetry be without Maya Angelou’s words; or the strong crooning voice of James Brown or the harsh cacophony art of Jean-Michel Busquaint?
If you have been reading my blog from the jump you know I love cinema that talks about the black experience; good and bad. As much as we can get caught up with the actors who play these roles we sometimes forget about the people behind these scenes. So today I would like to share my current favorite black film visionaries who have contributed to telling a story.
P.s This is excluding I know a lot of upcoming black directors/producers that work in small cinema and festivals.
1. Spike Lee
It was really hard for me to condense his work to only 3 movies because he has been in the game for so long. However, I picked these 3 films because it definitely shows Mr. Lee’s range. From raunchy romances to satirical comedies all the way to directing powerful biopics. Spike Lee can do it all. Not a lot of directors have the ability to create such diverse work regardless of skin color. I believe Spike Lee has definitely broken the glass ceiling for many new directors/producers in the industry right now.
2) Blackkklansmen
3) Malcolm X
2. Ryan Coogler
I know this looks like I made a fan poster of Micheal B. Jordan-even though he is the love of my life- that’s not what this is. However, Ryan Coogler and Micheal B. Jordan do make a powerful duo. The fact that Ryan Coogler isn’t even 35 yet and has so much under his portfolio is ridiculous and the talent is undeniable. Come on would we be screaming “Wakanda Forever” with our arms crossed over our chest without him? I didn’t think so.
2) Black Panther
3) Fruitvale station
3. Barry Jenkins
A lot of his projects has been towards directing smaller indie films, so I haven’t seen too much of his work besides these two films. But the fact that he directed one of my favorite films of all time..he deserves to be on this list. He not only uses his work to spread awareness of the black experience but also about the struggles of being a black gay man in America. I am definitely excited to see more of his work in the future.
2) If Beale Street could talk
4. Jordan Peele
I still can’t believe this is the same guy that would make all those comedy central skits that would always go viral. Being that Get Out and Us are original horror films tells us a lot about Peele as a visionary. It seems those are the only two that he has directed and I’m excited to see more.
2) Us
5. Ava Duvernay
You guys all know I am a huge fan of Ava Duvernay. Her documentary the 13th made it to my top movies/ documentaries of 2018. Like most of the directors on this list, her movies are dedicated to depicting the struggles African Americans face in America. As being the only woman on this list It shows a lot. She is definitely dominating in a male-dominated industry and I have no choice but to stan.
2) 13th
Leave a comment below and let me know who are your favorite black directors. I would really love to learn and discover more!
