Best documentaries, films and series to watch for Black History Month

As I delve into these captivating narratives, I can’t help but marvel at the resilience and determination of these individuals. Each story is a testament to their unwavering spirit and unyielding pursuit of justice, truth, and success.

As October approaches swiftly, there’s not much time left before Black History Month kicks off, and this year’s focus is on “Reclaiming Narratives.

“The message is clear – it’s high time we write our own narratives, cherish our roots, and make sure our perspectives get acknowledged.

Initially recognized in the United States, February is now marked annually as Black History Month across the UK. During this time, various sectors including television, cinema, sports, and entertainment take a moment to recognize and honor the contributions made by individuals from the African diaspora.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Best series for Black History Month

Fresh Cuts

This year, ITV has broadened its Fresh Cuts initiative, marking a first for the network: the chosen talents will create and manage “engrossing mini-series” that will be broadcast on ITVX and ITV’s digital platforms during programming for Black History Month.

For Black History Month, ITV has chosen new directors – Moses Ssebandeke for his character study series titled “Alter Egos”, Sammy Ofori-Attah with his show named “Black Magic with Trixy”, and Destiny Williams who will be presenting the humorous “Dogs of Grime”.

Where to watch? These will be available to watch on ITVX in October.

Colin in Black & White

Best documentaries, films and series to watch for Black History Month

2021 saw the release of “Colin in Black & White,” a series that delves into the life story of Colin Kaepernick, who transitioned from being a prominent civil rights activist to a renowned football player.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d say that this gripping miniseries delves into the challenges of identity, race, class, and culture, following the story of a young man adopted by a white family who happens to be African American. The talented Jaden Michael, who played the character Shelter in another production, brings Colin’s journey to life on screen.

Where to watch? Colin in Black & White is available to stream on Netflix.

When They See Us

Best documentaries, films and series to watch for Black History Month

Drawing inspiration from a real-life event that shook the country, When They See Us tells the compelling tale of five young men of color wrongfully accused and convicted for a crime they didn’t perpetrate – a case infamously known as the Central Park Five.

Back in 1989, it was the five Harlem teens – Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – who were initially interrogated concerning the event.

For approximately 25 years, the four-piece movie chronicles the devastating tale of their unjust imprisonment due to false accusations, ultimately cleared in 2002, and receiving compensation from the City of New York in 2014.

How to watch? The series is available to watch on Netflix.

Atlanta

Ever since its premiere on FX in 2016, Atlanta – a blend of comedy and drama – has garnered numerous praises from critics. Particularly, the performance of its creator and lead actor, Donald Glover, as Earn Marks, a former Princeton student who takes up managing the rising rap career of his relative, Alfred ‘Paper Boi’ Miles (portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry), has been highly commended.

This award-winning television show delves into themes like racism, personal identity, and African-American heritage using a subtly surreal approach, all while highlighting the exceptional skills of its actors, such as LaKeith Stanfield and Zazie Beetz.

Where can I catch a glimpse of? The initial three seasons of “Atlanta” can be found streaming online on Disney Plus. However, the ongoing fourth season is being broadcasted live on FX in the United States.

Seven Seconds

In this gripping crime series, we delve into the repercussions following a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a 15-year-old African American bicyclist named Brenton Butler and an unidentified white police officer.

Amid escalating racial tensions in Jersey City, the 10-part series delves into how this particular case is managed. While the police department seeks to conceal the case, assistant prosecutor KJ aims to charge the hit-and-run as a hate crime on top of negligent homicide.

How to watch? The series is available to watch on Netflix.

Self Made

Featuring Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer in the role of Madam CJ Walker, this groundbreaking figure who became America’s first self-made woman millionaire through her revolutionary haircare business for African Americans is portrayed for the first time onscreen in the series “Self Made.

Defying the challenges posed by racial and gender prejudice following emancipation, as well as fierce competition in the industry, Walker tirelessly worked to establish a pioneering business empire in the realm of Afro-textured hairstyling, paving the way for significant advancements in Black haircare.

The four-episode miniseries delves into her journey as she advocated for societal transformation, ultimately becoming the renowned figure known as Madam CJ Walker.

How to watch? The series is available to stream on Netflix

Dear White People

The television series, “Dear White People,” unfolds within an elite American university that’s primarily populated by whites. Beneath the tranquil facade, simmering racial undercurrents are constantly at play.

In simple terms, this satirical series continues the story from the 2014 film and focuses on a diverse group of students at Winchester University. They encounter various challenges such as social inequality, cultural prejudice, and the complexities of political correctness during the millennial era, occasionally engaging in activism that may not always be well-aimed.

Educational, informative, and seriously funny, Dear White People makes for vital viewing.

How to watch? Volume 1-3 are available to stream on Netflix.

Pose

In the 1980s, nestled within the vibrant metropolis of New York City, the extraordinary American television show “Pose” unfolds. It delves into the captivating realm of ball culture, which finds its heart amidst the devastating AIDS crisis.

The show was penned by Ryan Murphy, renowned for his work on Glee, American Horror Story, and the latest series Ratched. It draws inspiration from the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which delves into the culture of African-Americans and Latinos during the years 1986 to 1989.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the groundbreaking representation in “Pose.” This captivating show boasts an unprecedented ensemble of transgender actors in leading roles, setting a record in the realm of scripted television. Additionally, it features a substantial recurring cast of LGBTQ actors, making it a landmark series in terms of diversity and inclusion on-screen.

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Best Films

The Six Triple Eight

The television show “The Six Triple Eight” features Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams, who led the unique and historically significant Women’s Army Corps battalion – the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – during World War II, which was the first and only unit of its kind to serve overseas.

Regardless of encountering racial discrimination and gender bias, as well as challenging work environments, they remained dedicated to upholding their nation’s honor and prestige. Assigned a remarkable task and bound by their resoluteness, these unrecognized champions brought hope and broke down obstacles.

Tyler Perry’s upcoming movie will not hit theaters until later this year, giving viewers some time to wait.

How to watch? The Six Triple Eight will be released on Netflix on 20th December.

Passing

In the BAFTA-nominated drama “Passing,” Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga play Irene and Clare, friends from their childhood in 1920s New York. Despite being light-skinned black women, Clare disguises herself as white and lives with her affluent white spouse, whereas Irene is wedded to a Black physician.

The movie, helmed by director Rebecca Hall and based on a novel of the same title by Nella Larsen, delves into the complex issues of racial prejudice and self-identity by portraying the distinct lives of these two companions. Notable performances from its principal actors intensify these themes.

How to watch? Passing is available to stream on Netflix.

Harriet

Through a critically acclaimed portrayal by Cynthia Erivo, the film “Harriet” narrates the remarkable journey of Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist, as she bravely breaks free from slavery and ultimately emerges as one of America’s most revered heroes.

Where can I find this inspiring movie? It’s streamable on Sky Cinema, or you can watch it using a Sky Cinema pass on NOW TV.

Just Mercy

In a natural and easy-to-understand way: “Just Mercy is a compelling true tale based on real events. It centers around Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer with a Harvard degree, portrayed by Michael B Jordan, as he embarks on an extraordinary mission to correct the miscarriage of justice faced by Walter McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx. This man was sentenced to death for a murder he didn’t commit, despite solid evidence supporting his innocence.

Where can I catch a viewing of Just Mercy? You can enjoy it on Sky Cinema or by utilizing your Sky Cinema pass on NOW TV.

Brian Banks

The 2018 biopic narrates the tale of Brian Banks, once a high school linebacker, wrongly accused of rape. After serving his time, he pursued his goal of joining the National Football League, only to encounter numerous obstacles on his journey.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d rephrase that sentence like this: “In this nail-biting flick, I found myself immersed in the true story of an individual who, with the assistance of lawyers from the Innocence Project, successfully overturned their wrongful conviction.

How to watch? Brian Banks is available to watch on Netflix.

Best documentaries

Untold stories: Hair on Set

In this documentary, British actress Fola Evans-Akingbola gathers some of the United Kingdom’s most talented actors to uncover an untold tale about Afro hairstyles in movie productions.

Where to watch? Untold stories: Hair on Set is available to watch on Sky Documentaries and NOW.

Tina

Tina delves into the biography of the “rock ‘n’ roll” queen, tracing her journey to stardom and the hardships she faced during that time.

The documentary features insight from Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey and more.

Where to watch? Tina is available to watch on Sky Documentaries and NOW.

Sidney

This Apple TV+ documentary delves deep into the life story of Sidney Poitier, a legendary African-American actor who broke barriers by becoming the first black actor as well as the first individual from The Bahamas to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor.

This documentary, created by Oprah Winfrey, pays tribute to a renowned filmmaker and civil rights advocate. It delves into his life story and professional journey, featuring insightful interviews with notable figures such as Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Barbra Streisand, among others, who contribute to the film.

How to watch? Sidney is available to stream on Apple TV+.

13TH

Film director Ava DuVernay delves into the past of racial disparity within the U.S., highlighting how a significant portion of its prison population consists of African-Americans.

The title makes reference to the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “Neither enslavement nor forced labor, with the exception of those penalized for a committed crime who have been legally convicted, is permissible within the United States.

This documentary is crafted using a blend of historical recordings and insights from various activists, political figures, historians, as well as individuals who were previously imprisoned.

How to watch? The 2016 film is available to stream on Netflix.

Becoming

Experiencing the world through Michelle Obama’s eyes offers a unique, up-close perspective as we journey alongside her – a remarkable woman – during a transformative era in American history. As Barack and she took their historic roles as the country’s first Black First Couple, residing within the White House, they navigated uncharted territory together.

The presentation provides an exclusive, intimate glimpse into her journey to become the First Lady, and chronicles her as she initiates a 34-city expedition, unveiling the pressures and public gaze she endured throughout their eight years in the White House.

How to watch? The film is available to stream on Netflix

Time: The Kalief Browder story

The six-part series tells the tragic story of Kalief Browder – a Black teen from the Bronx – who spent three horrific years in jail, despite never being convicted of a crime.

In the timeframe from 2010 to 2013, Kalief was accused of taking a backpack filled with valuable items. Due to financial difficulties within his family, they couldn’t afford to bail him out, resulting in his imprisonment for two long years, during which he spent time in solitary confinement.

How to watch? Time: The Kalief Brodwer story is available to stream on Netflix

Black is King

Beyoncé’s “Black is King” is a visual album that tells the tale of a young monarch setting out on a quest to reclaim his kingdom. This narrative serves as an accompaniment for the music from “The Lion King: The Gift,” an album put together by Beyoncé for last year’s live-action version of the beloved animated film, The Lion King.

How to watch? Black is King is available on Disney+

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TOGETHER WE RISE: The Uncompromised story of GRM Daily

This documentary series showcases interviews with artists like Stormzy and Dizzee Rascal, and it narrates the tale of a generation through the groundbreaking media outlet GRM Daily, founded by Posty – an innovative, young, Black British entrepreneur who played a significant role in providing a new wave of talent with opportunities on a global stage. This platform eventually served as a blueprint for their achievements.

Additionally featured are artists such as Skepta, Giggs, Stormzy, Julie Adenuga, Kano, Tiffany Calver, Aitch, Ms Banks, JME, D Double E, and Zane Lowe.

How to watch? The docuseries is now available to watch on YouTube.

John Lewis: Good Trouble

The documentary offers a personal glimpse into the life and enduring impact of iconic U.S. Congressman John Lewis, tracing over six decades of exceptional advocacy work.

As a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis actively participated in Freedom Rides which often resulted in his being injured or imprisoned, and he was a prominent figure at significant marches such as those held in Washington and Selma.

How to watch? Sky Documentaries, available on the NOW TV Entertainment pass.

Rise Up: The Movement that changed America

In this one-hour film, we delve into pivotal conflicts during the struggle for Civil Rights that significantly shaped American culture – starting with the Montgomery Bus Protest in 1955 and culminating with the Chicago Campaign, which resulted in the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.

The special uncovers what it took to translate protest into real legislative change.