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As everyone witnessed during the last Oscar award season, entertainment isn’t always keen on diversity. The Academy and the meager representation present at the 2016 Oscars says a lot about our society. It illustrated a cycle of systemic racism and white privilege that forces directing women of color to take the backseat in the film industry.
The star of the critically acclaimed film “Selma,” David Oyelowo, who failed to be recognized as a nominee for Best Actor at the 2014 awards, stated that the Academy “doesn’t reflect me and it doesn’t reflect this nation.”
A lack of minorities as major film leads means that there is a lack of role models for young minorities on the big screen. Even writing this article required heavy research to find more than a handful of recent films directed by people of color, much less women. Though the Academy has proposed to address the issue, only time will tell if they follow through on their word for the 2017 awards. In the meantime, here is a list of seven recent films directed by women of color that deserve way more recognition than they’ve received.
Returning to his hometown of Philadelphia to attend the funeral of his father, ex-Black Panther, Marcus, fears the reception he will receive from those he knew in his past. Many of his former friends still believe that Marcus was the one caused the death of a Panther leader before he fled the city. While in the midst of attempting to restore his reputation, he begins to spark an old relationship with the widow of the very same leader Marcus had been held responsible for killing.
This film tells the tale of three black children who must learn to survive in their home while surrounded by addiction, violence and abuse. In 2009, this film won awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival.
“I Will Follow” is the story of a black woman who must live with the death of a loved one while in the midst of relocation. In 2011, DuVernay won an African-American Film Critics Association award for Best Screenplay.
A young teen living in Brixton, Layla finds herself involved with a gang who forces her lure a boy into a trap to be killed. The Guardian describes this film as both “raw” and “powerful.”
Feeling overwhelmed and desperate to escape the pressures of her life of stardom, young singer Noni attempts to commit suicide before her bodyguard, Kaz, saves her. Instantly drawn to one another, the pair must battle with the expectations thrust upon each of them if they want this romance to succeed. “Beyond the Lights” was nominated for seven different Black Reel awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Song.
A modern drama based in Nigeria, this film tells the story about one woman’s desperation to bear a male child. It brings light to the discrimination women must face for the sake of religion and culture. At the American Film Institute film festival, this film won an award for Best Breakthrough film.
Inspired by a true story, this movie revolves around the life of the mixed-race illegitimate daughter of a British admiral and her role in the campaign to abolish slavery in England. “Belle” won two awards for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture and Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards.
