Sundance 2021: A List of Black Movies to Watch While You’re in the (Virtual) White Mountains

Synopsis: Two African-American women who can “pass” as white choose to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1929 New York in an exploration of racial and gender identity, performance, obsession and repression. Based on the novella by Nella Larsen.

Thoughts: There are a few faves in this one, including Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland. *squees* Plus, I’m interested in seeing how the novella will be adapted, particularly because it not only deals with race but sexuality as well. Quality representation for intersections for the win! Oh, and Forest Whitaker is one of the producers.

Synopsis: Conned into buying a shady ‘65 Chrysler, Mike’s first date with the girl-next-door, Kelsey, implodes as he finds himself targeted by criminals, cops, and a crazy cat lady. A night fueled by desire, bullets and burning rubber makes any other first date seem like a walk in the park.

Thoughts: So, we have a Black male co-director (and co-writer) here in Crosby and Tyson Brown is the leading man. Since it looks like he’ll be dealing with “criminals, cops and a crazy cat lady,” all of which could be elevated based on his status as a Black man (hell, the date itself has implications since she is a white girl)...this seems like it’s going to be stressful.

Synopsis: Alvin Ailey was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. Told in his own words and through the creation of a dance inspired by his life, this immersive portrait follows a man who, when confronted by a world that refused to embrace him, determined to build one that would.

Thoughts: Simply put—of course I want to see a documentary about the great legacy and personal life of Alvin Ailey directed by a Black woman!

Synopsis: A spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar, immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf Sufi Muslims chewed for centuries for religious meditations—and Ethiopia’s most lucrative cash crop today. A tapestry of intimate stories offers a window into the dreams of youth under a repressive regime.

Thoughts: This documentary looks to be an intriguing look into the rich culture of Ethiopia, which is great because it is always important to have many of these works of art chronicling the vast array of cultures and stories in Africa, instead of consolidating them.

Synopsis: A reimagining of Romeo and Juliet taking place through their cell phones in a mash-up of Shakespearean dialogue with current social media communication.

Thoughts: Starring Camaron Engels, Francesca Noel, David Zayas, Diego Tinoco, Siddiq Saunderson and Russell Hornsby, this twist on a classic tale seems interesting as I’m wondering how they’ll execute this theatrical world via cell phones. Imagine the Shakespearean internal family fights on a social media platform like Twitter!

Synopsis: Two guns. Two best friends. And a pact to end their lives when the day is done.

Thoughts: Well, damn. That’s an effective-ass synopsis. I’m in. Carmichael helms this one while also co-starring with Tiffany Haddish, Christopher Abbott, J.B. Smoove (aka the man who everyone wants to portray U.S. Senator-elect Raphael Warnock), Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler.

Synopsis: Inspired by the ideas of Octavia Butler, voyaging into the interstitium: a liminal space, a cultural memory, containing the remnants of our ancestors, a place of refuge, a place of recentering, a portal into an alternate dimension.

Thoughts: As part of Sundance’s New Frontier program (“a showcase for dynamic, innovative work at the crossroads of film, art, and technology”), this seems like a very unique way to experience the iconic brilliance of Butler.

Synopsis: In 1970, Black educators in Chicago developed an alphabet flashcard set to provide Black-centered teaching materials to the vastly white educational landscape and the Black ABCs were born. Fifty years later, 26 scenes provide an update to their meanings.

Thoughts: I immediately have a distinct vision of the Black ABCs flashcards ingrained in my brain, so learning about the actual history of how they came to be should be dope!

Synopsis: After his father gets into a fight at a bowling alley, Darious begins to investigate the limitations of his own manhood.

Thoughts: This looks like it’ll be an interesting dive into the topic of masculinity (toxic or otherwise) from writer-director Warren.

Synopsis: During the same summer as Woodstock, over 300,000 people attended the Harlem Cultural Festival, celebrating African American music and culture, and promoting Black pride and unity. The footage from the festival sat in a basement, unseen for over 50 years, keeping this incredible event in America’s history lost—until now.

Thoughts: Oh, yes, I remember covering the news about this! I’m definitely glad to finally be able to see the doc about Black Woodstock. This will be Thompson’s directorial debut.

Synopsis: A surprise reunion in southern France reignites passions and jealousies between two women who were formerly polyamorous lovers.

Thoughts: Oh, we’re getting a Black woman star (Idella Johnson) in a film about female lovers that also tackles polyamory? We love this kind of representation and nuance! I’m intrigued.

Synopsis: A poetic meditation on familial loss and separation, and the love that endures against dispersion.

Thoughts: Whew. This title alone is already trying to snatch my edges and push me deeper into my emotions. If there’s one that comes with grief (whether it’s death or any other separation from a loved one), it’s the unrelenting fact that you really can’t run away from it.

Synopsis: Amidst a racially tense Southern wedding, a biracial bride has the chance to confront her estranged Black father after accidentally hiring his wedding band to perform.

Thoughts: Game of Thrones fans can’t forget the “Red Wedding,” for obvious reasons. Whatever may come from this “white wedding” may be less violent (hopefully!), but I’m sure it won’t be short on drama.

Synopsis: A Black man laments as he comes face-to-face with the realities of being Black in the 21st century.

Thoughts: We certainly hear the phrase “Black bodies” often enough in a certain context, so I know this will be heavy. As The Root is primarily focused on Black American content, it will be interesting to see this perspective from a Black-Canadian man to unpack the differences and similarities and how they all intersect. Plus, y’all know I’m always here for Black women directors.

Synopsis: A god-fearing woman in present-day South Africa finds herself in a transactional relationship as she tries to support her sick husband and daughter.

Thoughts: Wow, this should be interesting and also heartbreaking. And like I said about the aforementioned Ethiopian film, it will be nice to see another film set in South Africa with all of its cultural nuances.

Synopsis: A virtuoso jazz pianist and film composer tracks his family’s lineage through his 91-year-old grandfather from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Thoughts: This should be dope because I’m always intrigued by familial and ancestral history. This is also something I’d like to do in-depth one day, so this doc (which was a part of the New York Times Op-Docs series) should be an exciting watch.

Synopsis: With the help of their family, friends, and faith, three fathers unravel the incomparable partnership of forgiveness and community in North Philadelphia.

Thoughts: We got another Black woman director at the helm! Much like my sentiments about African countries, I’m always intrigued by regional stories because there are diverse stories within each section of the Black American experience, as well.

Synopsis: As dusk fades and another night without electricity falls, Kinshasa’s neighborhoods reveal an unstable environment of violence, political conflict and uncertainty over the building of the Grand Inga 3 hydroelectric dam, promising a permanent source of energy to the Congo.

Thoughts: Keeping up with the sentiment of nuanced African stories, this one comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This film seems like it’ll be a combo of thrilling, frustrating, heartbreaking, anger-inducing, hopeful and more.

Synopsis: Rioting spreads as social inequality causes tempers in a struggling community to flare, but the oppressive environment takes on a life of its own as the shadows of the housing estate close in.

Thoughts: Give it up for Black filmmakers in animation! Much like comic books, animated projects are often a good source of social commentary and the “language of the oppressed” (as Martin Luther King Jr. describes rioting) is certainly one that deserves many stories told. I’m looking forward to this one.

Synopsis: Mae, lonely and self-isolating, navigates the world of online dating during the early days of quarantine. Her first attempt is a comic disaster; then she meets Will, and her world begins to change in unexpected ways.

Thoughts: Of course we have to have a quarantining-based film in the mix this year! William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) co-stars in this flick that seems to have the potential for a good love story.