By Marybel Sacramento ’26
Staff Writer
Happy February Foresters and happy Black History Month! For this issue, I thought it would be suitable to share my recommendations of what movies to watch during Black History Month. This is a month to talk about and bring awareness to Black history and also acknowledge the accomplishments and the excellence Black people have contributed to society. In the spirit of celebration, here are my movie recommendations to check out and see the masterpieces and stories Black historical figures, celebrities, and filmmakers have given to us to watch and learn from.
“Hidden Figures,” Directed by Theodore Melfi
“Hidden Figures,” is based on the true story of how three Black women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson were able to get astronaut John Glenn into orbit and bring him safely back to Earth. They were the pioneers at NASA in the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War in the early 1960s. The movie talks about how all three of them individually broke down barriers in their respective fields and how they led famous American heroes into space and made history when white men had never given any person (or woman) of color a change in the course of history. In my opinion, it is important to see how the three protagonists became inspirations to many women and that anything is possible if you know that you belong in such a place.
“12 Years A Slave,” Directed by Steve McQueen
“12 Years A Slave” is a true story based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup. A free Black man born and raised in New York was tricked, abducted, and sold into slavery in the Deep South years before the Civil War started. The movie captures dark and true glimpses of what Northup had to tragically experience and witness how other slaves were treated on the plantations he was a part of. It is a hard movie to watch but shows the true horror of what slavery was like in the mid-1800s in the divided United States. In fact, this movie won 3 Oscars, including Best Picture. Director Steve McQueen was the first Black man to produce any movie, making a historic impact and opening doors for other Black filmmakers.
“Do The Right Thing,” Directed by Spike Lee
Being the directorial, screenwriting, and the acting debut of the legendary director and writer Spike Lee, “Do The Right Thing” is one of the most controversial comedy-dramas of all time that deals with oppression and racial tension in modern-day America. While the movie has predominantly BIPOC actors, a lot of them made their acting debut in this movie such as Rosie Perez, Giancarlo Esposito, Martin Lawarence, and more. The movie follows the theme and the philosophies of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and how people in their daily life should fight and defend themselves against racism and oppression. The movie asks the audience if the main character did the right thing or not.
“42,” Directed by Brian Helgeland
For those who know who wore jersey number 42, no explanation is needed. For those who don’t know who I am referring to — “42” refers to Jackie Robinson, the only man to wear that number in the MLB. This movie reflects on when Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the late ’40s and how he continued to play on a field where he was hated and discriminated against by and for the color of his skin. However, he is now remembered for being the first man to break the color barrier in a sport. Robinson was portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman, who eventually portrayed the Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“One Night In Miami…,” Directed by Regina King
Directed by Academy Award-winning actress Regina King, “One Night In Miami…” made King’s directorial debut. Released on Amazon Prime during the pandemic, this movie was praised by critics for how four legends who were friends met up with each other in a hotel room in Miami, Florida on February 25, 1964. Although not entirely true, the movie follows the premise of Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, Cassius Clay, and Malcolm X with four different, yet similar backgrounds coming together to discuss their beliefs and how they can make America a better place while they were all at the peak of their fame. It’s a sad and beautiful story of how one night changed the rest of American history.
