History of Black Cinema

An amazing compilation of Black movie history.

Black Cinema Connection

Films featuring Black performers and images have evolved from those which reflected the notions of Whites to those which fully explore African-American issues and themes.  Early movies created during the beginning of the 20^th century typically portrayed African-Americans in insulting stereotypes or utilized Whites in blackface instead of Black actors.  Blackface involved White actors covering their faces with black make-up and drawing on exaggerated lips to complete the parody.  This technique originated in the minstrel shows of the mid-19^th century in which African-Americans were portrayed as stupid, lazy, clownish, superstitious, and frivolous.   These shows degraded the African-American community and made fun of Blacks by making them look foolish, utilizing stereotypical characters such as Coons, Mammies, Sambos, and Uncle Toms.  Such stereotyping and disparaging representations were used to disassociate Blacks and Whites, an established practice in America since the days of slavery.

With the invention of moving pictures, the…

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