Black in Period Films

Jada Pinkett Smith has developed a new documentary series that explores the lives of important and iconic African Queens.  Netflix Season Synopsis: The first season will cover the life of Njinga, the complex, captivating, and fearless 17th century warrior queen of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern day Angola. The nation’s first female ruler, Njinga earned a reputation for her blend of political and diplomatic skill with military prowess and became an icon of resistance. I know about Njinga of (modern day) Angola because of the amazing book, Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 by Patricia McKissack . The book was a part of the "The Royal Diaries" series; a children's book series that shaped my love for history. The Royal Diaries series consisted of 20 books published by Scholastic Press from 1999 to 2005. Each book was an epistolary fiction novel written in the form of a childhood diary from a real royal female figure. If you got to experience these amazing

Tyler Perry is writing, directing and producing a WWII drama for Netflix. The film which is currently in production, is titled Six Triple Eight. The historical epic will tell the true story of The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion aka the Six Triple Eight. The Six Triple Eight was an all-black battalion of the Women's Army Corps. The 855 women were led by Major Charity Adams.  The film is based on an article written by Kevin M. Hymel and published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media. The cast is chalk full of talent, both new and established. Kerry Washington will star and exec produce the film. Alongside her we’ll see Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Jay Reeves and Oprah Winfrey. Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, Gregg Sulkin and Dean Norris are also a part of the cast. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all-black, all-female battalion

Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming A Space is a detailed biography of author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Although she is best remembered by many for her novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God.", Hurston is also behind groundbreaking anthropological work that challenged preconceived notions about race, gender and culture that had long defined the field in the 19th century. Directed by Tracy Heather Strain, produced by Randall MacLowry and executive produced by Cameo George, Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming A Space premieres Tuesday, January 17 at 9/8 central on PBS. 

The newest Chevalier trailer from Searchlight Pictures introduces us to 18th century superstar composer, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.  The trailer shows a quick overview of his arrival in France as a young boy, the nurturing of his talent, his rise to fame, and what happens as a result of that fame.  Because of his talent, Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges is often called the "Black Mozart". Which I hate because Mozart would not be called the White Bologne. So, if  Mozart isn't the White Bologne then the comparison doesn't work and Bologne isn't the Black Mozart. It also belittles Joseph Bologne's lived experiences as well as his legacy as a talented composer.  Bologne is a historical figure whose life many have wanted to see on screen. This will be the first narrative film about Joseph Bologne, there however have been documentaries and stage productions about his life.  The 2003 Raymond St-Jean directed performance documentary, Le Mozar

Gloria Obianyo has been added to the season 7 of the Outlander series, based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon.  Obianyo will be playing a character named Mercy Woodcock. Mercy Woodcock is a free woman of color in colonial era South Carolina. She is connected to the storyline because of her relationship with Henry Grey, who is the nephew of the beloved character Lord John Grey. She appears in An Echo in the Bone and Written in My Own Heart's Blood. Book Mercy is a self assured woman, whose husband may or may not have died on the battlefield. As she nurses Henry Grey back to health, they fall in love with each other. I'm eager to see how much of Mercy makes it to the series.  Honestly speaking I'm not at all optimistic about how much we'll see of her (for various reasons). Chiefly because she is already a minor character. Secondly, because the character Phaedre was erased from the tv series after a brief appearance, even though her role in the books is bigger than Mer

Based on the best-selling novel by Octavia Butler, FX’s Kindred premieres December 13.  A young aspiring writer discovers secrets about her family's past when she finds herself mysteriously being pulled back and forth in time to a 19th century plantation. All eight episodes will premiere December 13 on Hulu.