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20 best black films
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We look at some of the most memorable black films of all time
WITH Hollywood actress Angela Bassett gracing the cover of here! this week, it got us thinking about some of our best-loved black films. Over the years, there have been a plethora of titles, featuring predominantly blacks casts – or black stars in leading roles – that have made us laugh, made us cry, made us feel inspired, and so much more. We compiled a list of 20 of our favourites…
Do The Right Thing, 1989
ON a hot day in Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence. Directed by and starring Spike Lee, the film deals with issues of racial conflict in the multi-ethnic community of Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
The Five Heartbeats, 1991
DIRECTED by and starring Robert Townsend, the film charts the rise and fall of the fictional black American soul group.
A Time To Kill, 1996
THE film adaptation of John Grisham’s novel of the same name sees Samuel L Jackson give a brilliant performance as Carl Lee Hailey; a father who takes the law into his own hands when his 10-year-old daughter is raped and beaten by white racist men.
Tsotsi, 2005
SET in South Africa, the Oscar-winning film follows the life of gang leader Tsotsi, who, after shooting a woman and stealing her car, finds a baby in the back seat of the vehicle and attempts to care for him.
Roots, 1977
ORIGINALLY broadcast as a TV mini-series, THE iconic film tells the story of a family’s struggle for freedom, exploring the horrors of slavery.
Cry Freedom, 1987
BASED on the true story of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, Cry Freedom is the story South African journalist Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) who is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend Biko (Denzel Washington).
Hotel Rwanda, 2004
THE critically acclaimed true-life film stars Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina; a hotel manager who provided shelter for countless refugees during the Rwandan genocide.
The Color Purple, 1985
A powerful adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple stars Whoopi Goldberg as downtrodden wife, Celie. After enduring years of abuse, she eventually stands up to her abusive husband (Danny Glover) and is reunited with her sister who she was separated from years ago.
House Party, 1990
STARRING popular duo Kid ‘n’ Play, and the late comedian Robin Harris, the hilarious film depicts the goings-on at a house party that Play decides to throw when his parents go out of town.
The Best Man, 1999
HARPER (Taye Diggs) is all set to be the best man at his friend Lance’s (Morris Chestnut) wedding. But Harper fears that Lance will read his soon-to-be released autobiographical book – and learn that the bride-to-be once slept with him once to avenge Lance's many affairs!
Waiting to Exhale
FRIENDSHIP becomes the strongest bond between four women – played by – Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon – as men, careers, and families take them in different directions.
Love and Basketball, 2000
THE romantic drama starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan, is the story of two next door neighbours who grew up loving basketball and eventually each other.
A Raisin in The Sun, 1961
THIS film adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s play starred Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee Younger; a young man who seems imprisoned sharing a tiny apartment with his wife, son, sister and mother. But things are set to change when the family gets an unexpected financial windfall.
The Nutty Professor, 1996
EDDIE Murphy portrayed multiple characters in the popular comedy. Desperate to lose weight, Professor Sherman Klump (Murphy) takes a special chemical that turns him into the slim but obnoxious Buddy Love (Murphy).
The Harder They Come, 1972
STARRING reggae star Jimmy Cliff, the renowned Jamaican film tells the story of country boy Ivan, who goes to the city in search of musical fame and fortune. The film was adapted into a stage play and debuted at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2006.
Ray, 2004
THE touching film earned Jamie Foxx a Best Actor Oscar for his powerful portrayal of musical legend, Ray Charles.
What’s Love Got To Do With It, 1993
THE Tina Turner biopic sees Angela Bassett giving a powerful performance as the soul star, who lived through an abusive relationship with Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne) to become a Rock‘n’Roll legend.
Smile Orange, 1976
THE celebrated Jamaican film takes a humorous look at the tourism business, mostly through the eyes of hotel waiter, Ringo.
Boyz N The Hood, 1991
JOHN Singleton’s popular film portrays the life of three young black men, Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr), Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut), as they grow up in the rough South Central, Los Angeles.
Malcolm X, 1992
DIRECTED by Spike Lee, the iconic film stars Denzel Washington as activist and black nationalist, Malcolm X.
Published: 29 June 2009
Issue: 1378
