In the world’s current climate the #BlackLivesMatter movement is more present than ever and has left a large amount of people looking to be more educated on the issue. Netflix have released a Black Lives Matter section on their site, with the aim of educating and also empowering black story-telling as ‘black story-telling matters too’, they say.
Here at REPEAT we shortlisted the most enlightening, emotional and electrifying pieces of Film, T.V and documentaries on their list. Have a read and watch what takes your fancy.
She’s Gotta Have It
A spike Lee series adaptation of his 1989 film, this series follows Nola Darling, a polyamorous woman, and her life touching on sexual harassment and gentrification of ethnic spaces.
When They See Us
A very real and emotional series reenacting the ‘Central Park Five’ case, showing how five Black boys were arrested and coerced into confessing to a brutal attack on a woman in
Central Park in 1989.
When They See Us Now
A talk show in which Oprah Winfrey speaks with the exonerated men once known as the ‘Central Park Five’. We hear their experience and thoughts on the show ‘When They See Us’, and we hear the cast and producers tell their story.
Who Killed Malcom X
A miniseries following Abdur-Rahman Muhammad and his mission in uncovering who really killed Malcom X that has since lead to the review of Malcom X’s murder.
13th
In this documentary, we are taught about the criminalisation of African Americans, the U.S prison boom and how slavery was never fully abolished.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
This heart-breaking series follows the tragic case of Kalief Browder, a Black Bronx teen who, despite never being convicted of a crime, spent three years in what is said to be one of the worst U.S prisons – Rikers Island.
Dear White People
A series following black college students at an Ivy League institution, highlighting the complexity of modern race relations and issues within the education system.
Pose
This series set in 1980-90s focusses on New York’s Black and Latino LGTBQA+ and gender non-conforming community and ballroom culture. The series follows a group of individuals and touches on race and LGBTQA+ relations such as the AIDS crisis and gender reass.
Fruitvale Station
Waking up to an air of uneasiness, a young Michael B. Jordan decides to start his new years resolutions early. He visits his Mum, spends time with his daughter, and looks to be a better partner to his Girlfriend, but as the story transpires, you cannot help but think Oscar Grant (Jordan) is vulnerable. The narrative ends in dramatic circumstances, and we thoroughly recommend you educate yourself on this film and true story.
WRITTEN BY LARA EKWURU