During Black History Month, it’s good to look back at the African Americans who have contributed to the movement and risen past the struggle of being Black in America. In cinema, figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X have been remembered with amazing films from some of today’s best directors. There have also been some gripping documentaries, enthralling biopics, and even fictionalized tales that showcased the real-life issues facing the community.
During Black History Month this year, Amazon Prime Video is putting Black film on display in a number of facets. With Black History Makers, we wanted to examine the films that put the movers and shakers on full display. Be it the tough-as-nails principal in the public school system to those who risked their lives to choose where they wanted to sit on the bus to the artists who created songs that spoke for the multitude of Black people out there living the struggle, Amazon Prime Video’s assembled an intriguing array of films dedicated to those making moves and history.
'One Night in Miami...'
Director: Regina King
Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr.
For her directorial debut, the immaculate Regina King brought a play about the fictional meeting that Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) and Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) would have with Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) in Februrary 1964, after Clay (who later became Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston. The film, which has already received three Golden Globe nominations (Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for Odom Jr., and Best Original Song), does a great job of talking through what the Black community needed in its leadership during this time in America. Kudos to King’s direction and performances like Leslie Odom Jr.’s Sam Cooke. Watch these kings hold court.
'MLK/FBI'
Director: Sam Pollard
Starring: n/a
From acclaimed director Sam Pollard—who directed the Eyes on the Prize series that featured the William O’Neal interview seen in Judas and the Black Messiah, as well as HBO’s Black Art: In the Absence of Light—told the tale of Martin Luther King Jr.’s work as a civil rights activist during 1965 through 1968, and how J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI surveilled and harassed MLK. It sheds like on how the FBI tried to discredit King’s status in the civil rights movement, while also hinting that we could finally get more information on KIng’s assassination when his record becomes declassified in 2027. Always good to dig deeper into how activists like King were treated while they were still here, fighting for us.
'I Am Not Your Negro'
'Freedom Riders'
Director: Stanley Nelson Jr.
Starring: n/a
Released on the 50th anniversary of the first Freedom Ride in May of 1961, Freedom Riders who traveled, in groups, and sat wherever they chose to on the public transportation system during the civil rights movement. Their actions brought the issue of racial segregation seen across the South in the United States to the forefront, and the documentary took home three Primetime Emmy Awards.
'Lean on Me'
'Selma'
Director: Ava DuVernay
Starring: David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tim Roth, Oprah Winfrey
Ava DuVernay’s 2014 drama took a look at the march from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights. An awards season darling (winning the Best Original Song Oscar and Golden Globe), Martin Luther King Jr. shined in DuVernay’s lens, with a dynamic performance from David Oyelowo. Selma is the kind of film that needs to be taught in schools during their sections on MLK and the civil rights movement. A true testament from a visionary on one of the most important figures of the movement.
'Malcolm X'
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr., Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee
No disrespect to any depictions of Malcolm X that came after Spike Lee’s 1992 film, but Denzel Washington completely became Malcolm X. A necessary biopic based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X, we chart Malcolm Little’s journey to becoming Malcolm X, the public face of the Nation of Islam, and all of the controversy that followed suit, through his murder in 1965. It was a story so important that when funds could not be secured, everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Prince helped Spike Lee get this film made. A definitive look at what made Malcolm X who he was, along with what he and hiss tory means for us today.
'Ray'
Director: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Terrence Dashon Howard, Larenz Tate, Richard Schiff, Regina King
Jamie Foxx not only became Ray Charles for this biopic on the singer’s life, but he got all of the props for it, becoming only the second actor to win the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics’ Choice awards for Best Actor for the same performance. Foxx using his chops as an actor and master impressionist to nail everything there is to know and love about Ray Charles, making it a must-see performance for anyone looking to see a craftsman at work. The fact that it’s more than just an amazing performance is why you stick around.
'Straight Outta Compton'
'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'
Director: John Korty
Starring: Cicely Tyson, Richard Dysart, Odetta, Michael Murphy, Rod Perry, Arnold Wilkerson
The film that won the late Cicely Tyson two Emmy awards found Tyson portraying Jane Pittman from ages 23 to 110(!), running through her life story, which spans from slavery to the civil rights movement. Remembered fondly for its realistic make-up, the film was one of the first made-for-TV movies to examine African American life this way, highlighting what Black people have faced for close to 100 years at the time.
