The Best TV Shows and Movies by Black Artists, According to Black Artists
In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests continuing around the world, many Black creatives are calling for much-needed greater diversity in Hollywood. And not just onscreen—promoting, hiring, and celebrating the work of black directors, writers, and other creatives is long overdue. And so, with this in mind, many influencers in the industry are sharing their recommendations for their favorite TV shows and movies by Black artists on social media.
Prominent filmmakers, writers, actors, the people behind streaming platforms, organizations, and more are posting the best movies, books, and TV shows written and created through a Black lens—as opposed to, say, a movie like The Help, which has been called out for perpetuating white-savior tropes. (It's also directed by a white man and based on a book by a white woman.)
Don't watch The Help. Watch Kerry Washington's American Son or movies like Eve's Bayou instead. See more recommendations below, and queue them up!
Ganja & Hess, Get Out, Eve’s Bayou, and Blacula
"The films and filmmakers listed [below] are just a small sample of the important work we’ve been given thanks to Black filmmakers forging a path toward making projects that reflect their views and ideals," the account for Horror Noire, a Shudder documentary, tweeted alongside a list of titles. "So as the world moves forward, if you happen across an emerging Black filmmaker in genre, be sure to support. Nothing means more [to] fledgling filmmakers than knowing a community has their back. And horror fans are, without question, the best community in film."
Watch Ganja & Hess on Amazon Prime. Rent Get Out and Blacula on YouTube.
Keep It podcast host Ira Madison III shared Horror Noire's recs, specifically calling out Eve's Bayou. "It's PERFECT film and it’s should be part of everyone’s film cannon," he wrote.
American Son
Little Fires Everywhere and Scandal actor Kerry Washington hosted a conversation about her movie, American Son, which centers on a couple working with police to find their missing teenage son.
Watch American Son on Netflix.
Selma
Director Ava DuVarney took to Twitter to announce that her film, which was allegedly snubbed by Oscar voters following a cast and crew police brutality protest at its premiere, is now free to rent across all digital U.S. digital platforms. "We’ve gotta understand where we’ve been to strategize where we’re going," DuVarney tweeted. "History helps us create the blueprint. Onward."
Rent Selma for free on Amazon.
Malcolm X, 13th, LA92, When They See Us, and Hip-Hop Revolution
"The Help is #1 on Netflix? Fuck that," Luke Cage creator Cheo Hodari Coker tweeted on June 5. "Click on "Malcolm X". When They See Us. 13th. LA 92. Dear White People. On My Block. HiphopEvolution. Spider Man into the Spider Verse...and that show with the bald bulletproof muhfucka. What's his name again?"
From Malcolm X starring Denzel Washington to DuVarney's powerful series When They See Us, about the exonerated Central Park Five, there are a bunch of works worth wading into here. (Seriously, is there anything DuVarney touches that's not an actual masterpiece?)
Watch Malcolm X, 13th, When They See Us, LA92, and Hip-Hop Evolution on Netflix.
Dear White People, On My Block, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Luke Cage
Of course, not all antiracist movies and films need to be about civil rights movements, slavery, and police brutality. Everyday stories and animated superhero movies centered around Black characters and developed by Black people are just as necessary. Of course, don't forget Hodari's own Luke Cage series, featuring the titular Marvel hero who first appeared in Jessica Jones until Mike Colter was given space to shine in two seasons of his own show.
Watch Dear White People, On My Block, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Luke Cage on Netflix.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
