With February well underway, events and exhibits for Black History Month are being held across the nation.
For those that are unable to attend these events and exhibits, honoring Black history can be done right at home by celebrating the stories of Black trailblazers with these five documentaries.
- Black Panthers: Released in 1968, this short documentary, directed by a French New Wave film director, Agnes Varda, gives a first-hand account of the Black Panther Party in the 60s. Filmed at their peak when roughly 2,000 people were members of the party, the 28-minute long documentary follows the protests to the arrest of Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton. “Black Panthers” has interviews with Newton himself, who speaks at length about police brutality and protection; Kathleen Cleaver is also featured as she speaks about the natural hair movement and the importance of women in the Black Panther Party.
- The Trials of Muhammad Ali: This 2013 documentary focuses on Muhammad Ali and his life outside of his professional career as a boxer. The documentary specifically focuses on Ali’s life from the mid-60s onward, starting in 1964 when he won his first heavyweight title. Featuring archival material and interviews from the people that knew him, “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” explores Ali’s relationships with figures like Malcolm X, his faith and his opposition to the Vietnam War.
- What Happened, Miss Simone?: Nominated for six Emmy Awards and Best Documentary Feature at the 88th Academy Awards, this documentary made waves when it was first released in 2015. Using rare footage and featuring interviews from her loved ones, such as her daughter, “What Happened, Miss Simone?” follows the career of Nina Simone, discussing both her musical career and her work as an activist. Amongst the footage included in the film are her performances at the Selma Marches and her appearance at a 1969 festival in Harlem.
- Black Art: In the Absence of Light: Directed by acclaimed Academy-award nominated filmmaker Samuel D. Pollard, this 2021 documentary focuses on Black art through a lens curated by the “Two Centuries of Black American Art” exhibit. Held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, this exhibit highlights the work of Black artists from 1750 to 1950. The film features the creator of this exhibit, the late David Driskell, as well as interviews with contemporary Black artists such as Kerry James Marshall, Theaster Gates and Kara Walker, amongst others.
- Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker: Released in 1989 as part of PBS’ “American Masters” series, this documentary follows the personal life and career of jazz artist Charlie Parker. Known as the pioneer of the bebop jazz genre, Parker made a name for himself as a virtuosic saxophone player with tracks such as “A Night in Tunisia,” “Salt Peanuts,” and “Bird of Paradise,” amongst others. Speaking about the jazz legend, the hour-long documentary features interviews from other jazz pioneers such as his partner Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie.
