Topic: Favorite African American Movie CLASSIC

To Sir with Love

I really appreciate 'Imitation of Life' even though it is not necessarily a 'Black ' movie, Blacks did have leading & important roles which made a bold statement back in the day. This film was unusual and ahead of its time (1959) for the depth and subject matter portrayed.  I captures the social mores and customs of the times very accurately.   2 women, one black and one white, both nearly homeless and down on their luck meet.  Each has a small 6 year old daughter to raise, each is widowed.   In this film we observe these women live through years of the challenges and triumphs of life.

The 2 women begin the movie with near equality but through the movie we see how being blond, etc affords the white woman, Lorna,  (Lana Turner) a much better chance of having her 'dreams come true' and she becomes a rich & famous actress.  She also finds love. Her daughter has everything and can go to any college of her choice.  Whereas the black woman (Annie) becomes her maid and works her entire life as a maid. She never meets the man of her dreams. She never has a home of her own. She spends her whole life serving her mistress and serving the Lord.  Her light skinned daughter wants more in life and runs away to pass for white so that she can have a chance.  She disowns her mother, becomes an exotic dancer, and never gets to college at all. Her life just never seems to progress or work out no matter how hard she tries.  In fact, one of her white boyfriends beats her up because he thought she was white and found out that she was not.

This movie is well known for Annie's funeral scene at the end. Mahalia Jackson even sings in it.  Rather than plan for her dreams in this life, Annie can only save and plan for the most expensive, beautiful funeral at the end of her life.  When she dies of a broken heart,  she gets just what she wanted.  Society would not let her 'live' in life no matter how hard she worked or tried. But in death she gets the glory and respect that she so deserved............but she had to die to get it.  Also, true to the nature of many minority women of her time, she never really questions her station in life but accepts it like a good 'Christian' woman should and looks forward to much deserved glory in the next life. 

 This film portrays  the unfairness of life in many subtle ways and on many levels such as age, gender, social rank and especially racial rank.  The synopsis portrays the triumph of this white woman who overcomes all this impossible adversity to rise to the top but the underlying subject matter is very pronounced.  This movie will leave you wondering if we have 'really progressed' that much?  What was really upsetting to me was the fact that Annie, the black woman,  spent her entire life doing all  'the right' things and she still ended up with nothing but a broken heart. Throughout the movie one is made painfully aware that Annie, would never, ever have had the same chances that Lorna had.  On the other hand,  Lorna, the white woman mainly looked 'cute' and ended up with the world at her feet. 

Despite all this, the movie is actually not really depressing, but educational and entertaining.  Juanita More came in second for Best Supporting Actress that year which, at that time, was amazing for a Black woman.

  This movie has been filmed more than once but I highly recommend the version with Lana Turner, Sandra Dee, and Juanita Moore which was filmed in 1959 and directed by Douglas Sirk.  Even though this is an older film, it remains very popular, and is considered a classic.  You will find it still runs on television a lot, even here in France.  You can still purchase it, rent it etc.

OMG, I love that Richard Pryor live in concert movie! 

Yes, NoH8, if you are writing from the point of view of an American Black, our country was more unfair than you could ever imagine......not just to African Americans but to many other minorities as well.  That is another reason why I wrote regarding the movie, ' Imitation of life.'

I know that most of us go to the movies for entertainment.  I am glad that we can also go and be reminded.  The Jews have a motto ' We will never forget."  In some ways, I hope that we, as African Americans, will adopt the same thought.  History can always repeat itself.......some say it does! 

I am so glad that you brought up the idea that some movies can be 'life changing.' as well as entertaining.

Triple Neg, I remember 'Silver Streak.'  Made me laugh sooooooo hard.  That movie crossed  colour lines with humor.  Anyway, you introduce some of the best subject matter and 'food' for thought.  Much appreciated!

I cried like a baby watching The Color Purple. I've watched that movie 50+ times. It's right up there with my all time favorites. There is nothing like the love of a sister. Sad, but classic.

TrileNeg,I remember both of those movies.  I think that we might get as many Black movie classics on TV here as you do there.  Yes, I will be keeping the popcorn and lemonade within arms reach!  I especially like lots of hot melted butter slathered on my popcorn!

Yes,God is able!  I count you as one of my most inspirational people on these forums and some of that is due to your unwavering faith.

I reported the above post.  I believe it was spam, and was especially offensive, appearing in a post started by dear Stephanie, who just passed away.

Linda