7 BLACK-LED FILMS YOU NEED TO SEE

A couple of weeks back I was invited to attend a Netflix special virtual screening for a new movie release — nope I wouldn’t have understood that sentence a while back either! Basically I popped onto the sofa, connected via a personal link and got to see Radha Blank, the filmmaker and actress of The-40-Year-Old Version introduce her film before we all settled in to let the story unfold. A bit like a movie premiere but without the flashing cameras or the need to queue up in the cold: intimate but from the comfort of your living room. I rather liked it. As someone who watches the minimum amount of TV and has a limited amount of movies that are “Jasmine-suitable” (I mentioned before on my social media that my other half has to vet them and they can’t be too harrowing or violent, and I’m not a fan of romcom cheese either), I thought about all the Black talent that I might be missing out on and how I can best support these artists. Nick said that there is a Black Lives Matter section on Netflix and both Iris and Naomi from our team listed the Black-led movies that they had enjoyed in recent years and from there I whittled them down to this list! Let me know if you give them a watch.

‘40-Year-Old Version’

A comedy-drama with an unexpected romance that follows a down-on-her-luck New York playwright who is desperate for a big break before she turns 40. Brilliant, joyful, hilarious and poignant and if you’re not already a closet poetic wannabe rapper, you will be after this movie, which explores the struggle of producing authentic art and finding your true voice in a world where the mainstream narrative often glosses over the realities of life.

‘Rocks’

A story of sisterhood and growing up too fast, Rocks follows London teenager Shola (AKA Rocks) as her mother abandons her and she finds herself in charge of her younger brother. I’ve got this one earmarked for the weekend — I’ve heard such rave reviews, so I can’t wait to take it in.

‘Queen & Slim’

A character in this film, directed by Melina Matsoukas and co-written by Lena Waithe, describes the titular protagonists as “the Black Bonnie & Clyde,” which should give you an idea of what to expect. Queen and Slim are going home from a first date when they have an altercation with a police officer, whom they accidentally kill. The film follows their wild bid to escape, a heart-racing road trip across America.

‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

Based on the James Baldwin novel of the same name and directed by Barry Jenkins, this film is the story of a young couple who are unexpectedly separated when the man is sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, just as the woman finds out she’s pregnant. Come for the story, stay for the acting, sets and costumes.

‘Moonlight’

You’ve probably heard of Barry Jenkins’ best feature-winning film, and if you haven’t watched it yet, now is as good a time as any. Moonlight is the story of a young man grappling with his identity through a difficult childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It co-stars Academy winner Mahershala Ali, if you needed another reason to watch this treasure of a film.

‘She’s Gotta Have It’

A classic ‘80s flick from the brilliant mind of Spike Lee, She’s Gotta Have It is the story of Nola Darling, a young woman who is trying to decide between three men who all want her for themselves.

‘Black Panther’

This is not your average superhero movie. With a strong message and starring the unforgettable Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther is the powerful tale of a self-sufficient fictional African nation named Wakanda — with a good dose of superpowers for good measure.

Jasmine HemsleyOctober 28, 2020