Black in Period Films

As a young girl I was an avid reader of the Dear America book series. A historical education book series geared at children.   Every book was entertaining and educational. I was pleased to find out that some of the books I read had been turned into 30 minutes episodes. I was worried it would not satisfy my adult sensibilities. However, I am pleased to say that years later the story holds up. Dear America: A Picture of Freedom is a simple introduction to the system of American slavery for young viewer. While truthful about the physical and mental violence that historically occurred, what was shown was not extreme.  Shadia Simmons is picture-perfect as the bright-eyed slave girl Clotee, growing into her young adulthood on a Southern plantation. In the short runtime we witness Clotee grappling with her idea of what “freedom” looks like She can imagine many other words, but she can never get a picture of freedom. Along her journey the viewer is given a small taste of

Its always awesome when people see a black character in a period film/series and send me a link. This exact thing happened this morning when I was meet with a tweet from Evangeline Holland (author of wonderful Edwardian & WWI romantic historical fiction)! Hey @BlackPeriodFilm !! BEAUTY by Joyce Sherri Set in 1930s, a black woman with mysterious abilities interviews to be the housekeeper to an eccentric white widow, but in order to get the job she must use her abilities in a way she didn't intend. https://t.co/luu0wAPtyi — Evangeline Holland (@evangelinehbks) April 10, 2018 Thanks Evangeline, You're Awesome! Synopsis Set in 1930s, a black woman with mysterious abilities interviews to be the housekeeper to an eccentric white widow, but in order to get the job she must use her abilities in a way she didn't intend. Short Review I went into the short expecting suspense and that is exactly what was delivered. The music, atmosphere, lighting, and acting all le

We discussed A House Divided  before , here is a full review. A House Divided tells the story of real woman named Amanda America Dickson. Dickson is the pampered and dotted-on daughter of David Dickson a wealthy and respected cotton farmer and Julia Frances Lewis Dickson an enslaved girl. In 1885, Amanda became one of the wealthiest African American women when she inherited her father’s estate at his death. Unhappy with their inheritances, Amanda’s uncle and contests the will. A House Divided is based on the 1995 biography by Kent Anderson Leslie titled Woman of Color, Daughter of Privilege: Amanda America Dickson, 1849-1893. Costumes The entire look of the film was accurately lush. The costumes were period accurate and beautiful. A House Divided doesn’t make the mistake of blurring the fashion into one block of unrecognizable historical fashion. However, the fashion accurately portrays the period that the story occurs in. As time progresses and the characters grow ol