In honor of Black History Month, Film Friday presents five essential films to watch: Malcolm X, I’m Not Your Negro, One Night in Miami…, Moonlight, and 12 Years a Slave. These films offer a powerful and moving exploration of the Black experience in America. Chronicling the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. From Spike Lee’s epic biopic of Malcolm X to Barry Jenkins’s poetic coming-of-age tale Moonlight, these films are essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the American experience.

Malcolm X

Spike Lee’s epic biopic of the controversial Black Nationalist leader is a powerful and moving film that remains relevant today. Denzel Washington gives a towering performance as Malcolm X, capturing his charisma, intelligence, and complexity.

The film chronicles Malcolm’s life from his childhood in Nebraska to his rise to prominence as a leader of the Nation of Islam. It also explores his break with the Nation of Islam and his subsequent pilgrimage to Mecca, which led him to a more universal message of human brotherhood.

Malcolm X is a challenging film, but it is also an essential one. It is a film that forces us to confront the legacy of racism in America and to question the nature of violence and resistance.

I’m Not Your Negro

I’m Not Your Negro is a 2016 American documentary film directed by Raoul Peck. It is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, Remember This House, and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. The film explores race relations in the United States through the lives of Baldwin’s friends and mentors, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.

I’m Not Your Negro is a powerful and moving film. That offers a unique perspective on the American civil rights movement. Peck does an excellent job of weaving together Baldwin’s words with archival footage and interviews, and Jackson’s narration is simply superb. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in American history, race relations, or social justice.

One Night in Miami…

One Night in Miami… is a powerful and thought-provoking film. That imagines a fictionalized conversation between four iconic Black men in 1964: Cassius Clay (now known as Muhammad Ali), Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Malcolm X. Set on the night of Clay’s victory over Sonny Liston, the film explores the complex. And often conflicting views of these men on the civil rights movement, their place in society, and the future of Black America.

Regina King’s directorial debut is masterful, and she elicits stunning performances from her cast. Particularly Eli Goree as Clay, Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Leslie Odom Jr. as Cooke, and Aldis Hodge as Brown. The film beautifully shot and edited, and the dialogue sharp and insightful.

One Night in Miami… a must-see for anyone interested in American history, the civil rights movement, or simply great filmmaking. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Moonlight

Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight is a poetic and deeply moving coming-of-age story about a young Black man named Chiron growing up in Miami. The film told in three chapters, depicting Chiron’s childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, as he struggles to come to terms with his identity and sexuality.

Jenkins’s direction is masterful, creating a visually stunning and emotionally evocative film. The performances are all excellent, with Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Trevante Rhodes delivering particularly standout turns.

Moonlight is a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. It is a powerful and moving exploration of identity, masculinity, and love.

12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave is a harrowing and unforgettable film that tells the true story of Solomon Northup. A free black man who kidnapped and sold into slavery in the antebellum South. The film is unflinching in its depiction of the brutality and inhumanity of slavery. But it also offers a moving testament to the resilience and dignity of the human spirit.

Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Northup, conveying the character’s strength, resilience, and unwavering hope in the face of unimaginable adversity. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Lupita Nyong’o delivering a heartbreaking performance as Patsey, a fellow slave who subjected to horrific abuse.

Director Steve McQueen crafts a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that is both deeply disturbing and profoundly inspiring. 12 Years a Slave is a must-see film for anyone. Who wants to understand the legacy of slavery and its impact on American society.