Synopsis

A largely forgotten chapter in film history details a vibrant, self-sufficient Black film industry that flourished beyond Hollywood's reach. From 1910 to 1940, this industry churned out nearly five hundred feature films specifically for African American audiences. These "race movies" often grappled with the complex social realities of Black urban life, addressing challenging topics such as alcoholism, crime, morality, class divisions, and even the pervasive issues of racism and lynching. In doin