Five Must-See Films during Black History Month

The Color Purple

The Color Purple follows a young woman through several life tragedies and her resilience in withstanding her life

journey. Celie, played by Whoopi Goldberg, was pregnant with her first child at the age of 14 by her father. Not too long after, she was traded off to an abusive, mean, disgusting and rude horrible man. Celie forced to raise his children and have sex with Mister, was left yearning for a deep love. She would gain this love in the times to come. This film displays domestic violence, colorism, racism, segregation, unjust justice system, love, friendship and sex.

Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/HzGrDgu08r8

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station depicts the last moments of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old black man, who lost his life at the hands of a white train station officer. This film sheds light on the social injustice that is a result of many young black men losing their life in the United States of America at the hands of police officers.

Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/crMTGCCui5c

13th

13th, titled after the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, is a 2016 documentary created by the incomparable Ava DuVernay. DuVernay explores the idea of slavery being perpetuated in constitutional actions such as criminalizing behavior and enabling the justice system to arrest and convict poor freedman, in order to force them to work for the state; referred to as convict leasing. The documentary takes a deep dive into the United States prison system and the nation’s history of racial inequality.

Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/xnNA8sIrZN4

For Colored Girls

A film that depicts the interconnected lives of ten women, exploring their lives and struggles as women of color. For Colored Girls was adapted by Tyler Perry from Ntozake Shange’s 1975 original choreopeom for ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf’. The film explores several different personal conflicts, such as, abandonment, rape, love, infidelity and abortion.

Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/2rwYMESuQGQ

Menace II Society

Menace II Society follows a young black man who grew up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects. The 18-year-old decides to search for a better way of living with the help of his teacher and girlfriend. Unfortunately, a series of tragic events proves that this may be a difficult task.

Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/CD2pjnGy8Fk