With what can seem like infinite choices in films on streaming platforms, it can be difficult to find something to watch that truly piques your interest. During this time of quarantines and social distancing, it’s easy to run through several movies and documentaries in the course of a week and still find yourself unsatisfied with the content you’ve taken in.
In the streaming world, there’s an unspoken reality that great documentaries can become buried in the barrage of choices. And searching for a documentary that celebrates the life and achievements of Black icons within the countless titles can become an unwanted time suck. Here are five Black documentaries that are streaming for your intellectual pleasure.
“The Last Dance” (Netflix, ESPN)
ESPN’s 10-part documentary series, “The Last Dance,” charts the rise of the 1990s Chicago Bulls, one of the most notable dynasties in sports history. The docuseries gives a definitive look at the Chicago Bulls and at Michael Jordan’s career and is packed with unaired footage from the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls season, Jordan’s final season with the team.
“The Apollo” (Hulu, Amazon Prime)
Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams looks at the storied history of the iconic Apollo Theater while following The Apollo’s inaugural staging of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ acclaimed “Between the World and Me.”
“Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat” (Hulu)
Never-before-seen works, writings and photographs offer insight into the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat as a teenager in New York in the late 1970s. The times, the people and the movements of the city helped Basquiat form his artistic vision.
“The Black Godfather” (Netflix)
The Black Godfather is a Netflix original documentary film directed by Reginald Hudlin. The film depicts the story of the boisterous, eccentric and self taught music executive Clarence Avant, told by the people he mentored, supported and worked with.
“Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” (Amazon Prime)
“Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” begins with a proposal: “Black history is Black horror.” The film presents the idea that there’s a mirroring relationship between the horror genre and the African American experience. Executive producer Tananarive Due finds the two to be inextricably linked.
With everyone at home, quarantining to avoid and slow the coronavirus pandemic, streaming has never been more popular.
From social media to Netflix and Hulu, we’re online pretty much 24/7 at this point binging the best tv shows, digesting fresh content from our favorite entertainers, and of course, watching movies. As we continue to fight for representation on and off-screen, we’ve got to say there are some pretty amazing films out there that every single Black person should see. For our particular audience, we gathered 10 we think the fellas would enjoy, relate to, and feel inspired by.
We’re going to dive right in… we’ve got classics and some newer material, too. Trust us — this list does not disappoint.
Source: Charley Gallay / Getty
The Black Godfather (Netflix)
Not to be overlooked, this Netflix documentary tells the story of a very important figure most don’t know much about. Over the course of his life, Clarence Avant has been a mentor and “behind-the-scenes rainmaker” with an undeniable impact on music, TV, Film, and politics.
For over 50 years, the entertainment manager and promoter Clarence Avant has been a quiet but influential presence in American music, movies, sports and politics, working behind the scenes to connect the right people with each other. In his documentary “The Black Godfather,” the director Reginald Hudlin turns a spotlight onto Avant, who has helped boost the careers of everyone from Hank Aaron to Quincy Jones to Barack Obama. This is a portrait of a man who has made his many friends a lot of money, but has also urged them — always — to keep their higher ideals in mind.
Food, murder, music festivals, and yes, tigers. Maybe learn something important while you binge.
The era of streaming has inspired a new golden age of the documentary film. Streaming giants like Netflix have provided the money and platform for documentary filmmakers to explore projects that might not have otherwise found a home. And with that we’ve seen an explosion of documentary films and series that cover topics ranging from everything to true crime, sports, and tigers. The subjects that Netflix documentaries cover are seen by so many people that it inspires actual change within the system.
Steven Avery got another appeal in the case addressing the murder of Teresa Halbach. People have an insane passion for cheerleading and “getting on mat” thanks to Cheer. And the popularity of Tiger King has pressed a Florida sheriff to seek tips in the decades old cold-case. Among all the great fictional movies to binge, these are the best documentaries on Netflix.
The Black Godfather
Clarence Avant grew up in the segregated south and went on to become a hugely influential behind-the-scenes figure in the entertainment industry. Director Reginald Hudlin interviewed more than 75 people over three years, including Quincy Jones, Kamala Harris, Bill Clinton, Bill Withers, and Barack Obama.
