IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!?

I could have done without the often condescending voice-over but that is a minor quibble in an excellent, thorough movie essay.

I am a sucker for documentaries about movie history and if you are as well, Is That Black Enough For You?!? is a film you cannot afford to miss.

After an intro that gives fascinating insight in black representation in front of and behind the camera since the beginning of the 20th century film historian Elvis Mitchell delves into the rise of black movies in the sixties and seventies, introducing the audience to dozens of titles - some I knew, some I had never before heard of that defined an era and left an indelible impression on black audiences, actors and filmmakers.

Many a familiar face lends their opinion on the subject, from Mario Van Peebles to Laurence Fishburne and Whoopie Goldberg, while the wealth of clips from the highlighted movies made me want to check out the ones I haven't seen before as soon as possible.

I could have done without the often judgemental, condescending tone Mitchell regularly utilises in his voice-over but that is a minor quibble in an excellent, thorough movie essay.

release: 2022

director: Elvis Mitchell

starring: Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Charles Burnett