February 4, 2021 in Film, Lifestyle
Black cinema should be celebrated, learned from and recognized for its depth, diversity and beauty. Alyssa Shao | Daily Trojan.
One could never overstate the impact Black people have had on film. Black cinema spans decades and continents, so it’s safe to say there’s no better way to kick off Black History Month than with a curated list of Black-led films showcasing the diversity and breadth of these narratives. From Ousmane Sembène’s socio-political commentary on West Africa to Spike Lee’s endearing depiction of Brooklyn, cinema has been a premier medium for Black characters as they overcome life’s day-to-day obstacles while grappling with issues of belonging, family, love and power.
It’s A Wonderful Life, Christmas Eve, Channel 4, 2.35pm Although a box office failure in its day there is no better Christmas movie than Frank Capra’s 1946 fantasy and it’s one of that elite club of English language films – see The Wizard Of Oz, ET, Star Wars, The Magnificent Seven etc. – that everyone should watch at least once in their lives. Always guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye it’s a sublime piece of work, from James Stewart’s pitch-perfect performance as George Bailey, who is prevented from killing himself on Christmas Eve by a guardian angel, to its over-arching themes of kindness, charity and redemption. It’s amazing to think it was nominated for the Best Picture, Director and Actor awards at the 1947 Oscars and didn’t win any of them, losing in each case to The Best Years Of Our Lives. Still, its standing today is perhaps a greater legacy.