There is no better way to indulge and immerse ourselves into the power of storytelling than the arts— music, movies, paintings…you name it. Art has the ability to take us to vulnerable places, and walk us through unique perspectives by communicating the depth of emotions and experiences that we cannot get to elsewhere. More specifically, highlighting Black History Month through the arts is vital as we reflect history and listen to the black community’s powerful stories.
Within the space of film, there are many influential figures that first had to break the barrier of nasty stereotypes and fight against racism.
Oscar Micheaux, was the first African American to release a feature. “The Homesteader” came out in 1919, a story that was first a novel of his own. Micheaux grew up in Illinois a slave before moving from his hometown to Chicago becoming a Pullman porter on railroads. His dream to pursue writing led him to self publish many novels. One of his books gained the attention of some filmmakers who wanted to buy the rights and retell the story for the big screen. However, the offer turned sour once Michaeux expressed his desire to be a part of the film’s production. The famous director ultimately turned down the filmmakers, and decided to direct and produce the story himself, entitling it, “The Homesteader” after his novel.
The feature gained popularity, and a lot of praise for its change of perspective depicting realistic dynamics and relationships between black and white people. Embarking on a mission to create equal opportunities for other black writers and filmmakers and tell stories of racial injustice and complex characters, Micheaux went on to direct, write, and produce over 40 films. Oscar Michaeux is now a household name in the film industry and paved the way for generations black filmmakers to this day. His most notable film was “Within Our Gates” (1920) about the brutal violence black people had to endure because of the color of their skin.
Flash forward to the 40s, the famous, groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier applied to the American Negro Theatre and began studying the profession. Growing up in the Bahamas, Poitier was first rejected to the program because of his non-American accent. However, he did not let his passion end there. Poitier studied the American accent and was accepted six months later. He did theater up until 1950, where he starred as a doctor treating a white man in his first feature film “No Way Out”. This role made a lasting impact in the film industry because of Poitier’s defiance to play characters stitched in a racial stereotype. For the next decade, he continued this astounding resilience in Hollywood. Poitier first made history in 1958 starring alongside Tony Curtis in “The Defiant Ones”, a film about two criminals escaping prison fighting against racial injustice as they navigate their way away from bars. He became the first African American to earn an Oscar nomination in a lead category.
In 1963, Poitier went from making history to changing history, winning an Academy Award for best actor for his performance in “Lilies of the Field”. He was the first male, black actor to take home this honor, and second African American to win an Oscar overall. The first was Hattie McDaniel, who won best supporting actress for her character in “Gone with the Wind” (1939).
Sidney Poitier is one of the most memorable faces in Hollywood for his performances, his voice fighting against racial stereotypes and injustices in the world, and caring heart. The actor, director, and writer left behind an incredible legacy opening the door for well-earned recognition for people of color.
Director Euzhan Palcy opened the door for black female filmmakers in 1983 winning best first film at the French Academy. She was not only the first black director (male and female), but also the first woman to win this award. Palcy directed the critically acclaimed “Sugar Cane Alley (Rue Cases Nègres)”, a coming of age movie about an eleven-year old orphan’s native life under French colonial rules.
Her imperative mark did not stop there, she went on to direct and write“A Dry White Season” (reviving Marlon Brando’s career) which was released in 1989. MGM produced this shocking, and immersive film, making Palcy the first black female director to be taken on by a famous Hollywood production studio. In order to authentically make this film, Palcy risked her life and went undercover in South Africa to expose the apartheid regime, a racial segregation. She carefully interviewed victims to listen and learn more about the hardships, struggles, abuse, and mistreatment they were facing. To further embolden their voices, she made sure that the studio only hired an all-South-African cast. She won the prestigious Orson Welles award in Los Angeles that year.
The list goes on and on when talking about innovative and historic black filmmakers that not only changed the game in film history, but broke the barriers fighting against discrimination and racial injustice so that opportunities and recognition can be given to people of all races.
