Movies about racism have been produced for decades, depicting the struggles and injustices faced by people of color in different eras and settings. These films serve as powerful tools to educate and raise awareness about the ongoing fight for racial equality. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most notable movies about racism and their impact on audiences.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Directed by Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the antebellum South. The film is a brutal and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of slavery, and its portrayal of the dehumanizing treatment of enslaved people earned it widespread critical acclaim. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and McQueen became the first black filmmaker to win the award for Best Director.
Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s debut feature film Get Out is a horror movie that uses the genre to explore the theme of racism in a unique and thought-provoking way. The film follows a young black man who visits the family of his white girlfriend and discovers that they have sinister plans for him. The film is a commentary on the ways in which white people appropriate black culture and the fear and mistrust that exists between the races. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was a commercial and critical success.
The Help (2011)
Based on Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel, “The Help” is set in 1960s Mississippi and tells the story of a young white woman who forms an unlikely friendship with two black maids. The film explores the theme of racism in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, and the ways in which white people benefited from the exploitation of black people. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning several Academy Award nominations and winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Green Book (2018)
Directed by Peter Farrelly, Green Book is based on the true story of a white bouncer who is hired to drive and protect a black pianist on a tour of the Deep South in the 1960s. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which the two men form a friendship despite their differences. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Directed by Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman is based on the true story of a black police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which the Klan used hate and violence to spread their message. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Lee.
The Color Purple (1985)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple is set in the rural South during the early 20th century and tells the story of a young black woman who is subjected to abuse and discrimination. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which black people were treated as second-class citizens. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning eleven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Steven Spielberg.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Directed by Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing is set in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant and tells the story of a hot summer day that leads to racial tensions and violence. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which it can manifest in everyday interactions between people of different races. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning two Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Screenplay for Spike Lee.
Glory (1989)
Directed by Edward Zwick, Glory tells the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first all-black volunteer regiment in the Union army during the Civil War. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which black soldiers were treated during the war. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington.
Malcolm X (1992)
in the list of movies of Racism we can include, directed by Spike Lee, Malcolm X is a biographical film based on the life of the civil rights leader. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which Malcolm X fought against it throughout his life. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning two Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Denzel Washington.
Directed by Alan Parker, Mississippi Burning is based on the true story of the murder of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The film explores the theme of racism and the ways in which the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacists used violence to maintain their power. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
These movies of Racism are just a small sample of the many films that have been produced over the years to shed light on the issue of racism and the fight for equality. These films serve as powerful tools to educate and raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
