10 Films to watch in honour of Black History month. #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Back to Black".

There's no better way to absorb information about the world or be exposed to new ideas, culture, and histories than through film. October has seen the UK celebrating Black History Month and the films below each deal with African American characters and encounters with prejudice or racial issues which makes them great conversation starters and a fantastic way to learn a bit of history.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. Meanwhile, they also have to deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.

A Ballerina's Tale (2015)

A feature documentary on African American ballerina Misty Copeland that examines her prodigious rise, her potentially career ending injury alongside themes of race and body image in the elite ballet world.

Hairspray (2007)

Set in early 1960s Baltimore, this musical comedy manages to tackle issues of race, weight and sexism. Tracy Turnblad lands a spot as a dancer on “The Corny Collins Show,” setting the wheels in motion for new friendships, interracial love and even a civil rights march.

Pride (2007)

This fact-based drama about an underdog African American swim team in the 1970s deals with racism head on, showing how the swimmers faced and stood up to prejudice in their quest to succeed.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This story of an African American man overcoming enormous obstacles to make a better life for himself and his son is a serious but heartwarming drama that makes for a great family movie night.

The Princess and The Frog (2019)

Disney gave the world its first black princess in 2009 and it was hard not to fall in love with Tiana.

This animated film tells the story of one hardworking waitress, defying the odds to build her (and her deceased father) a restaurant. When she wishes upon a star one night and reluctantly kisses a frog, she gets more than she bargained for. 

Remember the Titans (2002)

Set in suburban Virginia, this is where high schools were segregated even in the early 1970’s. One high school for black folks, and another one for whites. But the two shared one thing, a love of football. That is, until 1971, when one black high school and one white one were relocated into the same campus. The true story of a newbie African American football coach in a newly integrated high school, this film explores the trials and tribulations of social change in a small community where a love of the game conquers all

 Malcolm X (1992)

Spike Lee’s Malcolm X stars Denzel Washington as one of black history’s most revolutionary leaders. This famous biopic chronicles the activist’s life up until his assassination in 1965.

The Help (2011)

The Help tells the story of crossing social barriers in 1960’s Mississippi. Aspiring author and Southern belle, Skeeter, returns from college touched by the big dreams of the civil rights movement. She looks to document the untold stories of the African Americans in her community by turning to the help.

Selma (2014)

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Have you seen any of these films or are they something you would watch?