2 episodes
Film In Color Destiny McNeil
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- TV & Film
As an African American woman, I definitely understand the importance of “seeing yourself” doing things you aspire to do. Industries like sports have made huge leaps with black representation on the field, court or otherwise. Film, however, is still very much behind the times not only when it comes to representation but recognition as well for the many contributions African Americans have made to the industry. So, through this project my goal is to highlight the hidden nuances that play big roles in why the American film industry is not where it needs to be.
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The Black Struggle is Real
According to feature film director and DP Russell Reed, “We're just now for the past five, six years diving into black cinema, like never before” and the representation of African Americans in American film is still in its “premature stage”. There has been a surge in the appearance of black films hitting the mainstream scene, but we are still at the point where black filmmakers are trying to authentically express the struggles of black Americans through their craft. This definitely doesn't come without the personal struggles endured by black filmmakers as they navigate their creative careers.
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AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...
In 2002 Halle Berry became the first black woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress and since then, she has been the only black woman ever to receive one. There has yet to be a black director to win an Academy Award for Best Director and from 1975-1981 not one person of color was nominated for any award…at all. Facts like these don’t reign true because there is a lack of black talent in the industry, but because there is a lack of opportunity and diversity in spaces where decisions like these are made.