In the first week of June, the drama directed by Tate Taylor, The Help, became one of the most-watched on Netflix. The film has been constantly criticized for narrating from the perspective of white people when black characters are actually left voiceless.
The film tells the story of a young white girl who has just graduated from university, endowed with courage and the ability to literature. The heroine writes a book about the life of African-Americans. She became one of the first to pave the way for major changes during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963.
Today we want to present you with a list of films that are more constructive for their purpose than the Help.
When They See Us
When They See Us is an American drama series directed by Ava DuVernay using her own script. The focus is on five young black people who are accused of raping a girl in Central Park.
Higher Learning
The film, directed by John Singleton, tells us about friends who have plenty of their own problems with finances, personal security, and self-doubt. Unfortunately, university life is becoming the main source of problems for them – bullying by other guys, racial prejudice.
Malcolm X
Biographical film Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee, is about the outstanding African American man, who became famous as a fighter for the rights of black people.
Selma
The American historical drama “Selma,” filmed by Ava DuVernay, is based on real events that took place back in 1965 in the United States. The plot tells us about protest marches organized by the famous human rights activist Martin Luther King in the village of Selma, Alabama.
Poetic Justice
This romantic drama, directed by John Singleton, tells about the life of Justice after the death of her beloved man. Poems helped the girl get away from reality. Once Justice went to Oakland in a small company. Among the travelers there was Lucky; Justice didn’t like the guy straight away, but later, she found out that they have a lot in common.
I Am Not Your Negro
Raoul Peck directed a stunning film about a black novelist James Baldwin who wrote a letter to a literary agent describing his new project called Remember This House. Personal, detailed notes about the lives and monstrous killings of his three close friends, who were truly great people. We are talking about such persons as Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.
13th
“13th” is the famous film of Ava Duverney, nominated for the Academy Award. The film named after the 13th amendment to the US constitution that abolished slavery
Barber Shop
Timothy Kevin Story directed a film about a young man who inherited a barbershop from his father and faced a very difficult choice: to leave barbershop or sell it. Unfortunately, the hero decided to sell his business but soon realized that this barbershop was more than just a place to get a haircut.
Fences
The film by Denzel Washington focuses on the black father of the family, who is fighting for the rights of African Americans in the United States in the mid-1950s, and at the same time trying to raise his family’s standard of living.
Menace II Society
Drama directed by Allen and Albert Hughes. The plot reveals a story of a black population in the Los Angeles ghetto after the Watts rebellion. The entire population is literally stuck in poverty, murder, and drug trafficking.
The Hate U Give
George Tillman Jr. directed a film about a tragic incident that changed the worldview of 16-year-old Starr Carter, forcing her to take the path of fighting racism and class inequality.
Queen & Slim
The first date of the young African American couple ends in a clash with a police officer and a murder in self-defense.
Black Panther
Big and unexpected turn! The film by Ryan Coogler tells the story of the first-ever black superhero! The film takes place in Africa, in the technologically developed state of Wakanda. T’Challa returns to his home to take power as a new leader. Noteworthy, the film got an Academy Award!