Movies About The Black Panthers

From Ava DuVernay, starring Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales
Rated TV-MA

13th is a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay, which explores the “intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States.” Through interviews with activists and scholars, the documentary looks at the way the Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, has been used to perpetuate the criminalization of African Americans and other people of color. It highlights how incarceration has become the new form of slavery and how criminal justice policies, such as the war on drugs, have disproportionately impacted black communities. 13th argues that the criminal justice system is inextricably linked to the legacy of slavery and racism in the United States. The film seeks to raise awareness about the need for criminal justice reform.

From Directors: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin, starring Henry Alfaro, Danny Bakewell, John D. Barnett, Bart Bartholomew
Rated R

LA 92 is a documentary film that chronicles the tumultuous events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It includes interviews with witnesses, survivors, and participants in the events, as well as archival news footage and video recordings. The documentary follows the civil unrest that followed the acquittal of four LAPD officers who had been accused of using excessive force in the arrest of Rodney King. It also covers the events leading up to the riots, such as the long-standing tensions between the LAPD and the African-American community of Los Angeles, and the economic and social conditions that contributed to the unrest. The film culminates in the aftermath of the riots and analyses the legacy of the events.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a 2011 American drama film directed and written by Tate Taylor, and based on Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Mississippi during the early 1960s, the film follows the story of a young white woman, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Emma Stone), and her relationship with two African-American maids, Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer). Skeeter has recently graduated from college and returns home to Jackson, Mississippi, where she is dismayed to see that her beloved maid, Constantine (Cicely Tyson), has left and no one will tell her why. Skeeter decides to write a book from the point of view of the maids, exposing the racism and injustice they face on a daily basis. To do this she forms an unlikely bond with Aibileen and Minny, which ultimately leads to an unlikely sisterhood. Through their work together, Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny challenge the status quo of a segregated Jackson and the very foundation of the powerful social structure that controls their lives. The three women courageously confront some of deepest prejudices of the Jim Crow era, and ultimately create a ripple

From Daniel Petrie, starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands
Rated Approved

"A Raisin in the Sun" is a 1961 American drama film directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon and Louis Gossett, Jr. The film follows a black family living in poverty in Chicago as they struggle to find a new direction in life and search for a brighter future. When the family receives an insurance check, they must decide whether to use it to move to a better neighborhood, start a business, or reward the daughter's college ambitions. Tensions arise as the family's dreams and goals clash with the realities of racism and poverty. Ultimately, the family discovers the strength of their unity and come together to overcome all their obstacles.

From Raoul Peck, starring Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X
Rated PG-13

I Am Not Your Negro is a 2016 documentary film directed by Raoul Peck, based on James Baldwin's unfinished final manuscript, Remember This House. The film explores the history of racism in the United States through Baldwin's reminiscences of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr., who were all assassinated in the 1960s. Through interviews, film clips, and archival footage, the film examines the impact and legacy of racism in America. Baldwin's narrative also serves as a cautionary tale about the state of civil rights in the present day, noting how the country has progressed, yet still has a long way to go in the fight for civil rights and equality.

From Spike Lee, starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson
Rated R

Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee. The film is set in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year. The film focuses on a Brooklyn street and its diverse inhabitants, who must cope with increased tension, while facing rampant discrimination and violence. This culminates in an explosive race riot. The film stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson. It was Spike Lee's third feature-length film and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film has been praised for its depiction of racism and its realistic portrayal of black life in New York City in the late 1980s.

From Directors: Rita Coburn, Bob Hercules, starring Cicely Tyson, Guy Johnson, Diahann Carroll, Don Martin
Rated Not Rated

Maya Angelou and Still I Rise is a feature-length documentary about the life and work of renowned poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. It traces her extraordinary journey, from her early life in Stamps, Arkansas, to her rise as an influential literary and cultural figure. The film focuses on her inspiring story of resilience and courage, and examines the impact of her activism and writing on contemporary America. It features interviews with notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Common, Quincy Jones, and President Bill Clinton. The film also features archival footage and rare photographs to illustrate Angelou's life and her impact on the world.

From F. Gary Gray, starring O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.
Rated R

Straight Outta Compton is a biographical drama written by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff, directed by F. Gary Gray, and starring O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, and Jason Mitchell. It tells the story of N.W.A., the seminal and highly influential hip-hop group formed in Compton, California in 1986. They rose to fame and revolutionized the hip-hop genre with their brutally honest lyrics about the realities of life in the inner city. The film follows the group's formation, rise to fame, and eventual breakup, as well as the members' lives after N.W.A. The film also focuses on the group's relationships with the police, their record label, and the media. The story culminates in the group's seminal 1988 album, "Straight Outta Compton." The film received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million against a budget of $28 million.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell
Rated PG-13

Ray is a biopic about the life and career of the iconic musician Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx). It follows Charles from his childhood in the segregated South, to his rise to fame as a singer, songwriter and pianist, to his struggles with addiction and personal relationships. Along the way, Ray is forced to confront the challenges of being a black artist in an industry dominated by whites. The film also looks at how Charles' unique blend of blues, gospel, jazz, R&B and country music forever changed the landscape of American popular music. Despite numerous personal and professional setbacks, Ray Charles perseveres and eventually becomes one of the most beloved and influential musicians of all time.

From Kevin Macdonald, starring James McAvoy, Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington
Rated R

The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 British drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald, and based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden. It stars Forest Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin and James McAvoy as his personal doctor, Nicholas Garrigan. The film tells the story of Garrigan's journey from an apolitical Scottish doctor to Amin's closest advisor and confidant. The film chronicles Amin's brutal rule in Uganda and Garrigan's attempt to escape Amin's wrath as the country deteriorates into chaos. It also delves into the complex relationship between Garrigan and Amin, as the latter comes to depend on the former for advice, friendship, and loyalty. Ultimately, Garrigan is forced to decide whether to stay loyal to Amin or flee the country. The film won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Whitaker for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

From Göran Olsson, starring Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Abiodun Oyewole
Rated Not Rated

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 is a documentary film by Swedish director Göran Olsson that provides a unique window into the evolution of the Black Power Movement in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Through archival footage, interviews, and music of the era, the film paints a vivid picture of the socio-political landscape of the times, depicting the actions of iconic figures such as Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis, and Eldridge Cleaver as they fought for social justice and racial equality. The film also shows how the Black Power Movement inspired other activists from around the world to take up the cause in their own countries. Ultimately, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and determination of those who dared to defy the status quo.

From Liz Garbus, starring Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, Al Schackman
Rated Not Rated

What Happened, Miss Simone? is a 2015 documentary directed by Liz Garbus that traces the life and musical career of Nina Simone, the iconic jazz, blues, and soul singer. Through a mix of archival footage, interviews, and music, the film explores Simone’s childhood as the daughter of a preacher, her rise to fame as a singer-songwriter, her struggles with depression and bipolar disorder, her civil rights activism, and her complicated relationship with her daughter Lisa. It paints a powerful portrait of a woman who used her music to fight for social justice and expresses the power of art to move the world.

From Directors: Bill Guttentag, Dan Sturman, starring The Roots, John Legend, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone
Rated Not Rated

Soundtrack for a Revolution is a 2009 documentary film directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman about the American civil rights movement and the role of music in it. The film follows the story of the struggle for civil rights through the eyes of those who lived it, interweaving archival footage and interviews with prominent civil rights activists with powerful contemporary performances of the freedom songs that sustained them. The film chronicles the stories of the movement through the voices of those who organized, protested, sacrificed and suffered in its name, as they describe the inspirations and motivations behind their efforts. It also features contemporary performances of civil rights songs by John Legend, The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Richie Havens and Mary Mary. The film was nominated for a 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Special.

From Ava DuVernay, starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

Selma is a biopic of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King, Jr. (played by David Oyelowo). The film follows the civil rights leader on his mission to secure equal voting rights for African-Americans, using non-violent marches and civil disobedience. Along the way he meets with violent resistance from local authorities, who attempt to stop the marches, as well as segregationists trying to maintain the status quo. Alongside King, several other civil rights activists play a major role in the movie, including Coretta Scott King (Carmen Ejogo) and James Bevel (Common). Through the courage and commitment of the protesters, and with support from President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson), the march culminates in a triumphant march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

From Stanley Nelson, starring Blair Anderson, Omar Barbour, Julian Bond, Elaine Brown
Rated Not Rated

From Herbert J. Biberman, starring Juan Chacón, Rosaura Revueltas, Will Geer, David Bauer
Rated Not Rated

From Lee Daniels, starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda
Rated PG-13

From David France, starring Kurt Wolfe, Sue Yacka, Catherine Shugrue Dos Santos, Victoria Cruz
Rated TV-MA

From Spike Lee, starring Roger Guenveur Smith, Rahum Brown, Georgina Ransley, Marlon Brando
Rated TV-14

From Cheryl Dunye, starring Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker, Lisa Marie Bronson
Rated Unrated

From Shola Lynch, starring Angela Davis, Eisa Davis, Brandon J. Dirden
Rated Not Rated

From Rob Reiner, starring Woody Harrelson, Michael Stahl-David, Richard Jenkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Rated R