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The 10 Most Important Black Films Of The Decade (Lists)
It comes from the folks at TheGriot, although their list isn’t made up of the BEST black films of the last decade, but rather, the most IMPORTANT black films of the last 10 years. So, naturally, the next question one would ask is, how do they define “important?”
According to the post, each film on the list had to meet 3 criteri, which are: Overall influence or ability to shift perceptions, reveal truths; Originality and excellence in filmmaking (i.e. acting, story-telling, directing); Shelf-life or ability to remain timeless. And their definition of what makes a black film, for the sake of the list, is that, the director, writer, or lead actors had to be of African descent. Ok, so are we all clear on that? Good. Here are The Griot’s 10 most important black films of the decade (thanks to reader Urban Cineaste for the tip): 1 – Hotel Rwanda I don’t plan on creating one of these, but maybe others might. We’ve got a knowledgeable readership, so I’d like to read what you folks think of The Griot’s list. 13 comments to The 10 Most Important Black Films Of The Decade (Lists) |
  
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1)Hotel Rwanda. I suppose though I think “Sometimes In April” is aging better.
2)Antwone Fisher. Well its much better than “The Great Debaters” and is a very solid and uplifting film overall with a couple of dynamic performances (one of which is about only two or three minutes of screentime). Easily better than any Tyler Perry movie. For black audiences who always beg for more quality and “positive” black films, the fact that this film, even with Denzel in the cast, was not a bigger box office draw surprised me. Which is why I don’t pay much attention when black folks make these claims about wanting to see certain films. Its all lip service. Anyway I don’t know if this is top ten material…even if its just black film top ten. But then again I’m judging by different means than the writer.
3)When the Levee Breaks. Yeah, it belongs. Probably Spike’s best work in ages. Interesting how the writer suggested Spike is better at documentaries than he is films.
4)City of God. Hell yeah. I might as well as put that as number one. Its one of the best movies I ever seen. Will Smith once commented that he wished African American filmmakers told their stories about urban conditions as well as this film. Maybe the smartest thing he ever said. I appreciate that the writer is, un like most Americans (including black folks) is not faked out by the fact that these characters live in South America and speak Portuguese. In other words…the characters are black. Period. And therefore this movie is eligible for this list.
5) Life And Debt. Must say I have never heard of it. Sounds interesting.
6)The Black List. I found it interesting and well crafted. But top ten worthy? Wow what a sad decade for black film if so. However as mentioned earlier the writer has a different set of criteria for picking so….
7)Pursuit of Happyness. Important for its message? Sure. But it wouldn’t make my top ten. Its a well done film that takes chances in that it doesn’t rely on normal Hollywood devices to keep a snap in the scenes. Its more straight forward, almost a documentary style. No surprise considering the director is a European. I thought Will Smith was great. I’m happy it did well. But I wasn’t as moved by it as I know other men were.
8)Love and Basketball. Must admit…I still haven’t seen this one. Lots of folks love it but I never gotten around to it. Btw would I take someone of Omar Epps’ height seriously as a basketball player?
9)Hip Hop: Blah Blah Never saw it because I wasn’t interested. Not really interested in hip hop at all especially some of the cats who get the most spotlight in that genre. Maybe I’ll check it out one day if it comes on the Sundance Channel or something.
10)Brother to Brother Like 99% of black people I haven’t seen this movie either. Don’t ever recall it making it to theaters in the DC area and I don’t rent DVDs anymore so I didn’t try to pursue it on that end. Wasn’t interested enough to make it a blind buy. It got mostly good reviews although not many called it great. But in terms of tackling homosexuality in the black community’s past and present as well as giving us some insight into the Harlem Renaissance I can understand its inclusion in such a list.
It has indeed been a “sad decade” for “black film” which is partly why I can’t really bother with coming up with a list like this. There just isn’t much to choose from – especially if we’re restricting ourselves to North American movies mostly.
“Brother To Brother” is a good flick, and recommended to everyone reading this blog!
I also recommend Brother to Brother to everyone on this list. It is a good and very unique story, well done. Featuring the always fabuloso Anthony Mackie! You people in America can Netflix it! I had to buy it off Ebay and there are no regrets here. Money WELL spent!
Brother to Brother also features Daniel Sunjata!
anybody remember what film the director got the title from? one of the professors i knew showed me a video something like two tongues with them saying brother to brother over and over again.
OH NO NOT ME! I’m no sucker. I’m not falling into THAT trap. I’ll just say City of God and leave it at that
I\’ve see the whole list except for the hip hop film. Life and Debt is def. worth the watch. Let me think about this one. I know there are some more films from the decade that I loved. WHY DIDN\’T THEY LIST ANY NEW FILMS? What about Yesterday?
ok, I’ll take a blind shot at my own list, in alphabetical order… remember, key word is “important”:
Amandla!
American Violet
Bamboozled
Eventual Salvation
Life Support
Lumumba
Mississippi Damned
Moolaadé
Precious
Tupac: Resurrection
SPECIAL MENTION:
Antwone Fisher
Brother to Brother
City of God
Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela
Yesterday
As flawed as Precious is, we can’t deny that the movie is and will be important and made some important strides for black films in this decade.
Camille,
As Oscar Brown Jr’s originally asked, Why?
(See Dat Dere – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGDTGBHM9M)
Why do you think Precious will be seen as an important film.
I actually had to look up “Eventual Salvation” – that’s one I wasn’t already familiar with.
Good that someone mentioned both Bamboozled and Moolaade!
I must say for an American site it is quite varied to say the least.
I would definitely recommend Life & Debt which looks at the effects the issue had/has on Jamaica. Also Beyond Beats is a really good Doc on Hip Hop and Black men it’s well worth a look at and does deserve a place on this list.
I did come across another Decade list from iloveblackmovies.com site whose films were as follows:
1. City of God (2003)
2. When the Levees Broke (2006) TV
3. Ray (2004)
4. Dreamgirls (2006)
5. Ali (2001)
6. Precious (2009)
7. Undercover Brother (2002)
8. Tsotsi (2006)
9. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
10. Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Which kind of made me laugh when I saw it.
I don’t know about “most important” but these are my fave of the decade in no special order:
1. Medicine For Melancholy
2. Good day to be black & sexy
3. Dave Chappelle’s Block Party
4. Ray!
5. I’m Through With White Girls
6. 500 Years Later
7. Brother to Brother
8. Jazz – A Film by Ken Burns
9. Standing In The Shadows of Motown
10. A Huey P. Newton Story