Black History Month is an excellent opportunity to educate the youth (and ourselves!) about black history as well as raising awareness about current issues facing black communities here and abroad.
Films, especially ones based on true-life events, can really bring to life key figures and events in black history.
A word of caution: These are movies, not documentaries which means not everything is factually correct, however, I believe the benefit of watching these movies outweighs minor historical inaccuracies.
Over the years, we have watched many movies in school relating to black history, but this list includes the top FIVE movies (in no particular order!)
Hidden Figures
As Headteacher of a all girls school, I had to put this first.
Hidden figures is based on the true story of black female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race. The film exposes the deep-rooted racial inequality and prejudice faced by these highly talented black women. The film is moving, funny and beautifully made – it kept our students engaged throughout. Highly recommended!
The Help
This movie, set in the 1960’s, retells the story of a (white) journalist who returns to her home town in Mississippi and decides to interview the town’s black women who work as maids and housekeepers for wealthy white families. As you can imagine, this doesn’t go down too well with the local folk! There are some larger than life characters and one scene (chocolate cake, if you know, you know) had the whole school in stitches!!
Hotel Rwanda
A moving and powerful film about the tensions and ultimate civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples in Rwanda. Based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, and how he overcomes unbelievable odds to save the lives of so many people, Hutu and Tutsi. Suitable for 13+ as some scenes are graphic. Well worth a watch. I’ve cried every time I’ve watched this movie as it really brings home the horrors of war and its impact on civilians.
Selma
Every child knows about Martin Luther King Jr, however, most don’t know about the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, led by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, which led to President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Some iconic scenes and an excellent way to bring to life this crucial event in the fight for racial equality in America.
The Great Debaters
Something for slightly older children, The Great Debators re-tells the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a black professor at Wiley College Texas in 1935 who inspires his (black) students to form the school’s first debate team. This team go on to debate other schools and finally enter the national finals where they go head to head with Harvard debate team. I loved how Tolson inspired his students to dare to do something never done before, this team really were trailblazers.
Film is such an important medium to communicate, inspire and inform. It’s a way for film writers and directors to tell stories that may otherwise be left untold.
Better still, it’s something you can do as a family, hunkering down on a blustery day this half term with some popcorn!
I hope these films will be a source of great discussion and an opportunity to open the minds of our young people. I would love to hear your reviews if you watch any of our suggestions or share some of your suggestions by leaving a comment below.
Until next time,
Ust Fouzia
