Black is... Black Ain't
February's Top 30 Films
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1h 27m
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 February's Top 30 Films
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Bluespace
Directed by Ian Cheney • Documentary • 2016 • 73 minutes
Could humans live on Mars? Would we want to? Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ian Cheney provides insight into our currently unsustainable relationship with our home planet by examining the sci-fi speculation of 'terraforming,' or making another p...
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The Snow Woman
Directed by Tokuzo Tanaka • Drama • With Akira Ishihama, Shiho Fujimura, Machiko Hasegawa • 1968 • 80 minutes
Two woodcutters spend the night in a mountain lodge after being caught in a snowstorm. A female spirit appears and takes the life of one of the men. She spares the other man's life on th...
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Rocks in My Pockets
Directed by Signe Baumane • Animation • 2014 • 88 minutes
"Rocks In My Pockets" is a story of mystery and redemption. The film is based on true events involving five women of Signe Baumane's family, including herself, and their battles with depression and suicide. It raises questions of how much...
