Directed by Marlon Riggs • Documentary • 1995 • 87 minutes
Having grappled with the stereotypes imposed upon black people by white America, Riggs turned his attention to another fraught issue: the definitions of “blackness” that African-Americans impose on each other. Weaving together poetry, commentary from scholars like Angela Davis and bell hooks, and direct address from Riggs (filmed from his hospital bed, dying of AIDS), Black Is…Black Ain’t powerfully confronts sexism, homophobia, and colorism as it makes a moving call for communion among black Americans.
"Like Marlon himself, Black Is...Black Ain't is brilliant, thoughtful, undaunted by anticipated criticism, and profoundly salutary to our health. It's a powerful, interesting, riveting film." —Alice Walker
"A dense, sizzling, stimulating gumbo of thought and emotion...A fascinating, challenging film." —San Francisco Chronicle
Up Next in African-American Docs
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The Caretaker
Directed by Theo Rigby • Documentary • 2014 • 7 minutes
The Caretaker is a short film about the relationship between an immigrant caretaker and an elderly woman in the last months of her life. Joesy, a Fijian immigrant, works long hours providing live-in care for 95-year-old Haru Tsurumoto. Thro...
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American Santa
Directed by Avi Zev Weider • Documentary • 2023 • 24 minutes
Black Santas are local heroes, spreading joy and love to children and families at a bustling mall during the Christmas season. But even during this special time, the ugly shadow of bigotry falls on the season’s true spirit.
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A Rising Tide
Directed by Cheryl Fabio • Documentary • 2023 • 93 minutes
Seen primarily through the eyes of women and children of color living through housing insecurity in California's Alameda County, A Rising Tide aims to identify how and why homelessness occurs.
The film juxtaposes the perspectives of var...
