Welcome to Juneteenth friends. It’s a new holiday but an old adage. Black Americans came in as property, the nation fought each other in a civil war, the South lost, and the children of the new Freedmen went on to make Hollywood films. Have you ever heard about Oscar Micheaux?
**Oscar Micheaux: Trailblazing Black Filmmaker**
Oscar Micheaux (1884-1951) was an extraordinary African American filmmaker who shattered racial barriers and made a significant contribution to the history of American cinema. Despite facing adversity and prejudice, he became a prolific writer, producer, and director, creating over 40 films that showcased the experiences and perspectives of Black people.
**Early Life and Career**
Micheaux was born in Metropolis, Illinois, in 1884. After working as a homesteader, farmer, and Pullman porter, he began writing short stories and novels. In 1919, he adapted his novel ‘The Homesteader’ into his first film, ‘The Homesteader’s Daughter.’
**Breaking Racial Barriers**
At a time when Hollywood films were dominated by white perspectives, Micheaux’s films provided a much-needed counterpoint. He addressed issues of racial prejudice, social inequality, and romantic relationships between Black characters. His films were often met with resistance from white distributors and exhibitors, but he remained steadfast in his mission to create films for Black audiences.
**Themes and Style**
Micheaux’s films typically featured strong Black protagonists who challenged stereotypes and confronted racism. He explored themes of love, family, ambition, and social injustice. His films were often melodramatic and moralizing, but they also captured the complexities of Black life in the early 20th century.
**Independent Production**
Micheaux’s films were financed independently, as he faced challenges from Hollywood studios. He relied on the support of Black investors and audiences to produce his films. He established his own production company, Micheaux Pictures Corporation, and traveled extensively to promote his films.
**Legacy**
Oscar Micheaux’s films had a profound impact on the representation of Black Americans in cinema. He paved the way for subsequent generations of Black filmmakers and inspired the emergence of the Black independent film movement. His work is still being studied and celebrated today for its historical significance, artistic merit, and enduring social commentary.
**Recognition and Awards**
Micheaux’s contributions to filmmaking have been recognized posthumously. In 1983, he was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. In 1999, the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress selected his film ‘Within Our Gates’ for preservation. In 2019, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him an honorary Oscar for his groundbreaking work.
**Conclusion**
Oscar Micheaux was a visionary filmmaker who defied racial constraints and created a space for Black voices and stories in the American cinematic landscape. His films continue to inspire and challenge audiences, reminding us of the importance of diversity, representation, and the power of storytelling. Micheaux’s legacy as a trailblazing Black filmmaker will forever be etched in the annals of cinema history.
(Films credits sourced from IMDB.com, an Amazon company)
6. School Daze, 1988
A not so popular young man wants to pledge to a popular fraternity at his historically black college.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Laurence Fishburne (credited as Larry Fishburne) as Vaughn “Dap” Dunlap
- Giancarlo Esposito as Julian “Dean Big Brother Almighty” Eaves
- Tisha Campbell as Jane Toussaint
- Kyme as Rachel Meadows
- Joe Seneca as President Harold McPherson
- Ellen Holly as Odrie McPherson
- Art Evans as Cedar Cloud
- Ossie Davis as Coach Odom
- Bill Nunn as Grady
- Branford Marsalis as Jordan
- Kadeem Hardison as Edge
- Spike Lee as Darrell “Half-Pint” Dunlap
- Darryl M. Bell as Big Brother X—Ray Vision
- Joie Lee as Lizzie Life
- Alva Rogers as Doris Witherspoon
- Jasmine Guy as Dina
- Samuel L. Jackson as Leeds
- Roger Guenveur Smith as Yoda
- Cinqué Lee as Buckwheat
- Cylk Cozart as Big Brother Dr. Feelgood
- Dominic Hoffman as Mustafa
- Kirk Taylor as Sir Nose
- Erik Dellums as Slim Daddy
- Rusty Cundieff as Big Brother Chucky
- Leonard L. Thomas as Big Brother General George Patton
- Tyra Ferrell as Tasha
- Gregg Burge as Virgil Cloyd
- Kasi Lemmons as Perry
- A.J. Johnson as Cecilia
- Cassi Davis as Paula
- Phyllis Hyman as Phyllis (uncredited)
5. Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit, 1993
Showgirl Deloris Van Cartier returns as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of Catholic students whose run-down school is slated for closure.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Whoopi Goldberg – Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence
- Kathy Najimy – Sister Mary Patrick
- Wendy Makkena – Sister Mary Robert
- Mary Wickes – Sister Mary Lazarus
- Lauryn Hill – Rita Louise Watson
- Maggie Smith – Reverend Mother
- Barnard Hughes – Father Maurice
- James Coburn – Mr. Crisp
- Michael Jeter – Father Ignatius
- Sheryl Lee Ralph – Florence Watson
- Robert Pastorelli – Joey Bustamente
- Thomas Gottschalk – Father Wolfgang
- Brad Sullivan – Father Thomas
- Alanna Ubach – Maria
- Ryan Toby – Wesley Glen “Ahmal” James
- Ron Johnson – Richard “Sketch” Pincham
- Tyse Saffuri – Choir Member
- Jennifer Love Hewitt – Margaret
- Devin Kamin – Frankie
- Christian Fitzharris – Tyler Chase
- Tanya Blount – Tanya
- Mehran Marcos Sedghi – Marcos
- Erica Atkins – Competing Choir
- Deondray Gossett – Classroom Kid
- Monica Calhoun – Classroom Kid
- Deedee Magno Hall – Classroom Kid
- David Kater – Classroom Kid
- Valeria Andrews – Classroom Kid
- Riley Weston – Classroom Kid
- Pat Crawford Brown – Choir Nun
- Sheri Cladd – Uncredited Nun
- Alexandrea Martin – Classroom Kid
4. Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), 2021
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion.
Cast (in credits order)
Dorinda Drake Dorinda Drake … Self – Festival Attendee
Barbara Bland-Acosta Barbara Bland-Acosta … Self – Festival Attendee
Darryl Lewis Darryl Lewis … Self – Festival Attendee
Ethel Beatty Ethel Beatty … Self – Festival Attendee (as Ethel Beatty-Barnes)
Al Sharpton Al Sharpton … Self – Minister & Activist (as Reverend Al Sharpton)
Allen Zerkin Allen Zerkin … Self – Former Assistant to Tony Lawrence
Margot Edman Margot Edman … Self – Festival Production Assistant
Alan Leeds Alan Leeds … Self – Music Manager & Executive
Cyril ‘Bullwhip’ Innis Jr. Cyril ‘Bullwhip’ Innis Jr. … Self – Black Panther Party
Hal Tulchin Hal Tulchin … Self – Director & Producer, Harlem Cultural Festival 1969
Musa Jackson Musa Jackson … Self – Festival Attendee
Billy Davis Jr. Billy Davis Jr. … Self – The 5th Dimension
Marilyn McCoo Marilyn McCoo … Self – The 5th Dimension
Adrienne Kryor Adrienne Kryor … Self – The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Greg Tate Greg Tate … Self – Writer & Musician
Charlayne Hunter-Gault Charlayne Hunter-Gault … Self – Former Reporter, The New York Times
Jesse Jackson Jesse Jackson … Self – Minister & Activist (as Reverend Jesse Jackson)
3. Remember The Titans, 2000
A high school football team is forced to integrate, bringing together players from different racial backgrounds. Coach Boone, played by Denzel Washington, takes charge and helps the team overcome their differences and work together. Amidst challenges and resistance, the players learn to respect and support each other. Through hard work and determination, they become a united team, overcoming prejudice and achieving success on the field. The movie shows how sports can bring people together and promote understanding, even in the face of adversity.
Directed by Boaz Yakin
Writing Credits (WGA) Gregory Allen Howard … (written by)
Cast (in credits order) verified as complete
Denzel Washington Denzel Washington … Coach Herman Boone
Will Patton Will Patton … Coach Bill Yoast
Wood Harris Wood Harris … Julius Campbell
Ryan Hurst Ryan Hurst … Gerry Bertier
Donald Faison Donald Faison … Petey Jones
Craig Kirkwood Craig Kirkwood … Jerry ‘Rev’ Harris
Ethan Suplee Ethan Suplee … Louie Lastik
Kip Pardue Kip Pardue … Ronnie ‘Sunshine’ Bass
Hayden Panettiere Hayden Panettiere … Sheryl Yoast
Nicole Ari Parker Nicole Ari Parker … Carol Boone
Kate Bosworth Kate Bosworth … Emma Hoyt
Earl Poitier Earl Poitier … Blue Stanton (as Earl C. Poitier)
Ryan Gosling Ryan Gosling … Alan Bosley
Burgess Jenkins Burgess Jenkins … Ray Budds
Neal Ghant Neal Ghant … Frankie Glascoe
David Jefferson David Jefferson … Cook (as David Jefferson Jr.)
Preston Wigasi Brant Preston Wigasi Brant … Jerry Buck (as Preston Brant)
John Michael Weatherly John Michael Weatherly … Kirk Barker (as Michael Weatherly)
Gregory Alan Williams Gregory Alan Williams … Coach Paul ‘Doc’ Hines (as Greg Alan Williams)
Brett Rice Brett Rice … Coach Herb Tyrell
Richard Fullerton Richard Fullerton … A.D. Watson
J. Don Ferguson J. Don Ferguson … Executive Director
Krysten Leigh Jones Krysten Leigh Jones … Nicky Boone
Afemo Omilami Afemo Omilami … Charles Campbell
Andrew Masset Andrew Masset … Colonel William G. Bass
Tim Ware Tim Ware … Fred Bosley
Tom Turbiville Tom Turbiville … Captain Hal
Tom Nowicki Tom Nowicki … Coach Ed Henry
Jim Grimshaw Jim Grimshaw … Coach Taber
David Dwyer David Dwyer … Coach Tolbert
Bo Keister Bo Keister … Kip Tyler (as Walter Benjamin Keister)
Lou Walker Lou Walker … Ferdinand Day
Marion Guyot Marion Guyot … Mrs. Jean Bertier
Rhubarb Jones Rhubarb Jones … Radio Announcer
Bob Neal Bob Neal … Colorman
Dan Albright Dan Albright … Doctor
Mike Pniewski Mike Pniewski … Cop
Sharon Blackwood Sharon Blackwood … Nurse Allice
Paula Claire Jones Paula Claire Jones … White Girl #1
Kelly Cheston Kelly Cheston … White Girl #2 (as Kelly C. Cheston)
Walker Jones Walker Jones … White Kid #1
Ronald L. Conner Ronald L. Conner … Black Kid #1
Courtney James Stewart Courtney James Stewart … Black Kid #2
E.Y. Coley E.Y. Coley … Official
John Wesley Register John Wesley Register … Official
B. Keith Harmon B. Keith Harmon … Crooked Official
Andy Francis Andy Francis … Quarterback
Stuart Greer Stuart Greer … Marshall Assistant Coach
Derick Marshall Derick Marshall … Lee Roy ‘Monk’ Davis
Scott Thomas Scott Thomas … Fred Alderson (as Scott Miles)
Kevin Dankosky Kevin Dankosky … Reporter #1
David Chandley David Chandley … Reporter #2
Scott Slade Scott Slade … Reporter #3
Ric Reitz Ric Reitz … Reporter #4
Steve Barnes Steve Barnes … Titan Supporter
Rory Griffin Rory Griffin … Titan
Ryan Kowalske Ryan Kowalske … Titan
Thomas Elliott Thomas Elliott … Titan
C. Stephen Browder C. Stephen Browder … Titan #4
Jameel Jackson Jameel Jackson … Titan
Randy D. Patman Jr. Randy D. Patman Jr. … Titan
Jemal L. Webb Jemal L. Webb … Titan
Shawn Cummings Shawn Cummings … Titan
Michael Rouby Michael Rouby … Titan
Ray Stoney Ray Stoney … Titan
Shanda Lee Munson Shanda Lee Munson … Emma’s Friend (as Shanda Besler)
David de Vries David de Vries … Parent (as David Devries)
Andrew Collins Andrew Collins … Black Newspaper Man
Stephen O. Martin Stephen O. Martin … Heckler (as Steve Martin)
Matt Adams Matt Adams … Heckler
Marcus M. Moore Marcus M. Moore … Special Teams Coach
Ryan Duncan Ryan Duncan … Opposition Quarterback
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chris Allen Chris Allen … Football Fan (uncredited)
Lauren Aparicio Lauren Aparicio … Fan (uncredited)
Barry Brookshire Barry Brookshire … Titan (uncredited)
Nicky Buggs Nicky Buggs … Neighbor (uncredited)
Tyreese Burnett Tyreese Burnett … Team Member – Stillwell Titans (uncredited)
Valeisha Butterfield Valeisha Butterfield … Cheerleader (uncredited)
Edward Coakley Edward Coakley … Titan (uncredited)
Don Cochran Don Cochran … News Reporter (uncredited)
Chris Codding Chris Codding … Student (uncredited)
Darren W. Conrad Darren W. Conrad … Football Player (uncredited)
Doshia Darmane Doshia Darmane … Mourner (uncredited)
Mark Falvo Mark Falvo … Press (uncredited)
Matt Gammon Matt Gammon … Titan (uncredited)
Jennifer Gentry Jennifer Gentry … Woman at Reception (uncredited)
Angel Glaspie Angel Glaspie … Football Fan (uncredited)
Alton Glass Alton Glass … Titan (uncredited)
Kristol Grant Blanks Kristol Grant Blanks … Protester (uncredited)
Benjamin Gravitt Benjamin Gravitt … Football Player (uncredited)
Jyn Hall Jyn Hall … Ray Budds’ Sister (uncredited)
Gerrit Hamilton Gerrit Hamilton … Chain Gang Member (uncredited)
Teretha G. Houston Teretha G. Houston … Spectator (uncredited)
Lucinda Jenney Lucinda Jenney … Arleen Yoast (uncredited)
Tina King Tina King … Blues Mom (uncredited)
Brittany Lee Brittany Lee … Head Cheerleader (uncredited)
Ron Marino Ron Marino … Stillwell Titan (uncredited)
Shauen Miller Shauen Miller … Student in stands honoring Mrs. Bertier’s mom (archive footage) (uncredited)
Dharma Moreau Dharma Moreau … High School Student (uncredited)
Daniel Pancotto Daniel Pancotto … Titan (uncredited)
Tess Panzer Tess Panzer … Grownup Sheryl Yoast (uncredited)
Jammie Patton Jammie Patton … Highschool Student (uncredited)
Robert M. Perez Robert M. Perez … Reporter / Commentator (uncredited)
Ernest Peterson Ernest Peterson … Football Player (uncredited)
Robert Peterson Robert Peterson … Football Player (uncredited)
Arvell Poe Arvell Poe … Spectator (uncredited)
Eynne Ray Eynne Ray … Protestor (uncredited)
John Paul Rice John Paul Rice … Titan (uncredited)
Kenric Richardson Kenric Richardson … Football Player (uncredited)
Xavier Rivers Xavier Rivers … Church Member (uncredited)
Jack Schneiderman Jack Schneiderman … Titan (uncredited)
Irone Singleton Irone Singleton … Football Player (uncredited)
James Smith James Smith … Titan (uncredited)
Aly Sutton Aly Sutton … Fan (uncredited)
Jonathan Thompson Jonathan Thompson … Reporter / Commentator (uncredited)
Shayne Tingle Shayne Tingle … Team Doctor (uncredited)
Aaron Weiler Aaron Weiler … Protestor / Reporter (uncredited)
2. A Raisin In The Sun, 1961
A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.
Directed by Daniel Petrie
Writing Credits…..Lorraine Hansberry … (play)
Lorraine Hansberry … (screenplay)
Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification
Sidney Poitier Sidney Poitier … Walter Lee Younger
Claudia McNeil Claudia McNeil … Lena Younger
Ruby Dee Ruby Dee … Ruth Younger
Diana Sands Diana Sands … Beneatha Younger
Ivan Dixon Ivan Dixon … Joseph Asagai
John Fiedler John Fiedler … Mark Lindner
Louis Gossett Jr. Louis Gossett Jr. … George Murchison (as Louis Gossett)
Steven Perry Steven Perry … Travis Younger (as Stephen Perry)
Joel Fluellen Joel Fluellen … Bobo
Louis Terrel Louis Terrel … Herman
Roy Glenn Roy Glenn … Willie Harris
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George DeNormand George DeNormand … Employer (uncredited)
Thomas D. Jones Thomas D. Jones … Chauffeur (uncredited)
Rudolph Monroe Rudolph Monroe … Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Ray Stubbs Ray Stubbs … Bartender (uncredited)
David Susskind David Susskind … On-screen Trailer Narrator (uncredited)
Bob Sweeney Bob Sweeney … Insurance
1. BLACK IS KING, 2020
Directed by Emmanuel Adjei, Ibra Ake, Blitz Bazawule, Beyoncé … (as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), Pierre Debusschere, Jake Nava, Jenn Nkiru, Dikayl Rimmasch, Joshua Kissi … (director: Ghana)
Kwasi Fordjour … (co-director)
Julian Klincewicz … (co-director)
Dafe Oboro … (co-director)
Writing Credits
Beyoncé … (written by) (as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) &
Yrsa Daley-Ward … (written by) &
Clover Hope … (written by) &
Andrew Morrow … (written by)
Cast (in credits order)
