Movies

"El Norte." Central American women, one young, one elder, wrapped in traditional blankets.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 13, 2019 12:48PM EDT

Classic Film 'El Norte' Returns to Theaters For One Day Only

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the groundbreaking 1984 film about a family traveling to the United States will screen in theaters nationwide. As director Gregory Nava says: “The message of this film is needed much more today.”
Traveling While Black film. Shot from film from the back of a bus.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 27, 2019 2:35PM EDT

Virtual Reality Film Lets Viewers Experience 'Traveling While Black'

Director Roger Ross Williams on his Emmy-nominated project: “You get to be in a Black space that you normally wouldn’t have access to.”
Jennifer Lopez. Latinx woman with blond hair in a high ponytail, wearing red high neck top standing in front of step and repeat.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 26, 2019 4:52PM EDT

Hollywood Struggles to Represent Latinx People On Screen

A new study found that over the course of a decade, just 3 percent of the 100 top-grossing movies starred Latinx actors.
Viveik Kalra. Brown boy smiles with a Bruce Springsteen poster in the background.
Deepa Iyer  Aug 16, 2019 10:52AM EDT

In 'Blinded By The Light,' A Brown Immigrant Finds Himself in the Music of the Boss

Deepa Iyer writes about her personal connection to the immigrant story at the center of the new Bruce Springsteen-loving film.
Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monáe. Two Black women dressed in 1800s-styled clothing and holding a gun.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 23, 2019 12:54PM EDT

Watch the Trailer for 'Harriet'

The iconic abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor hits the big screen.
Simu Liu. Asian man with short dark hair wearing gray sweater standing in front of Comic-Con step and repeat.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 22, 2019 5:38PM EDT

Simu Liu is First Asian Star to Lead Superhero Franchise

Liu will star in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
Yifei Liu. Asian woman in black top stands in front of window, looks toward the camera.
Claudia Vaughan  Jul 19, 2019 2:03PM EDT

In Defense of a Mushu-less Mulan: It's Time to Take Asian Leads Seriously [OP-ED]

As Disney releases live action versions of its classic films into the world, writer Claudia Vaughan argues that losing the fantastical aspects of “Mulan” will finally allow us to treat the warrior with the weight and complexity she warrants.
Ma Rainey. Black and photo of middle-aged Black woman wearing headdress. Split: Viola Davis. Black woman wearing red dress with short black hair holding an Oscar award.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 24, 2019 11:50AM EDT

Viola Davis Set to Bring Ma Rainey to Hollywood

August Wilson’s play about the legendary blues singer will be adapted for the big screen.
Jeni Rivera. Middle-aged Latinx woman with blond hair.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 18, 2019 3:02PM EDT

Jenni Rivera Biopic In the Works

The world-famous Banda singer will be celebrated via a film penned by the screenwriter who created “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
Albert Woodson. Older Black man with gray Afro holding up oar while in a canoe.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 5, 2019 1:52PM EDT

'Solitary' Film to Tell Story of Angola 3's Albert Woodfox

Mahershala Ali will executive produce, and perhaps star, in biopic of the Black man who spent 43 years in solitary confinement for a crime he says he didn’t commit.
Alvin Ailey. Black and white closeup of Black man in profile with short black hair and facial hair.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 4, 2019 12:14PM EDT

Barry Jenkins to Direct Alvin Ailey Film

The famed choreographer will finally get the Hollywood treatment.
The Farewell and Akwafina. Asian woman with long dark hair and nose ring.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  May 8, 2019 5:18PM EDT

WATCH: Awkwafina Stars in New Dramatic-Comedy 'The Farewell'

The new film, based on a true story, explores how an Asian family deals with the impending death of a loved one.
Young Black man. Curly hair black suit jacket, white shirt, and red tie.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  May 3, 2019 2:33PM EDT

19-Year-Old Filmmaker Phillip Youmans Wins Top Honor at Tribeca Film Fest

The New Orleans native is the youngest ever to compete in the festival.
Cast of "Le Chicano." Nine people stand in a line in front of black backdrop
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  May 2, 2019 5:14PM EDT

READ: Why the Creators of 'El Chicano' Fought for a Latinx Cast

This is what it looks like when filmmakers resist Hollywood #SoWhite.
John Singleton. Bald Black man in black zip-fleece.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Apr 29, 2019 11:35AM EDT

John Singleton Passes Away at 51

Hollywood and others react to the pioneering work and impact of the Oscar-nominated director.
The sign for Harlem's Apollo theater lit up in red against a cityscape at night.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 26, 2019 3:13PM EDT

New Doc 'The Apollo' Tells the Story of Harlem's Most Iconic Theater

The HBO documentary screened as the opening selection for the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.
A Latinx woman with long hair holds a microphone against a black backgtound, side view.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 24, 2019 12:30PM EDT

WATCH: New Doc Takes You Behind Scenes of AOC's Campaign

Netflix documentary “Knock Down the House” follows the grassroots campaigns of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and three other women who ran for Congress in 2018.
Three Black women hold hands in a circle outside with a farmhouse in the background.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 19, 2019 3:02PM EDT

Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Superpowers Shine in 'Fast Color'

Mbatha-Raw: “The idea that we have power within us is something that I’ve always been interested in.”
Bright green marijuana leaves
Shani Saxon  Apr 16, 2019 4:53PM EDT

Marijuana Doc 'Grass Is Greener' Highlights War on Black and Latinx Communities

Fab 5 Freddy’s directorial debut explores the history of weed in the United States, including its criminalization and impact on music.
Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell. Large sepia-tone image of Henson's face in profile, color image of Rockwell's full body in a tan jacket and denim shirt, smoking a cigarette
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 11, 2019 5:25PM EDT

On 'The Best of Enemies': Hollywood Must Stop Using Black People as Narrative Devices

Tambay Obenson writes that the film relegates Black people to “supporting roles in their own fight for freedom and recognition.”