Films About Race and Class
Films about race and class often explore the intersection of social and economic disparities, discrimination, and privilege. These films delve into the complexities of how race and class intersect and impact individuals and communities, shedding light on systemic issues and personal experiences.
Films About Race and Class
“13th”, 2016
Director: Ava DuVernay
Directed by Ava DuVernay, this documentary explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. It examines the loophole in the 13th Amendment that allows for involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime, and its impact on the African American community [[1]](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g32742390/movies-about-race/).
Starring: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales, Gina Clayton, Jelani Cobb, Malkia Cyril, Angela Davis, Craig DeRoche, David Dinkins, Baz Dreisinger, Kevin Gannon, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Marie Gottschalk, Newt Gingrich, Lisa Graves, Cory Greene, John Hagan, Michael Hough, Van Jones, David Keene, Glenn E. Martin, Marc Mauer, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Pat Nolan, Dorsey Nunn, Liza Jessie Peterson, Charles Rangel, Kyung-Ji Rhee, Rashad Robinson, Shaka Senghor, Bob Sloan, Deborah Small, Bryan Stevenson, Ken Thompson, Nicholas Turner, Daniel Wagner, Joe Atkins, Lee Atwater, Tom Brokaw, Kalief Browder, Carolyn Bryant, Roy Bryant, Philando Castile, Stephen Colbert, Walter Cronkite, Richard Allen Davis, Bob Dole, Sam DuBose, Michael Dukakis;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary, crime, history;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “13th” on the website imdb.com
“Do the Right Thing”, 1989
Director: Spike Lee
Directed by Spike Lee, this film portrays racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the summer. It delves into the complexities of race relations, prejudice, and social injustice.
Starring: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Richard Edson, Ossie Davis, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, Rosie Perez, Ruby Dee, Roger Guenveur Smith, Joie Lee, Paul Benjamin, Frankie Faison, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Harris, Miguel Sandoval, Rick Aiello, John Savage, Steve White, Martin Lawrence, Leonard L. Thomas, Christa Rivers, Frank Vincent, Luis Antonio Ramos, Richard Habersham, Gwen McGee, Steve Park, Ginny Yang, Sherwin Park, Shawn Elliott, Diva Osorio, Chris Delaney, Angel Ramirez Jr., Sixto Ramos, Nelson Vasquez, Travell Lee Toulson, Joel Nagle, David E. Weinberg, Yattee Brown, Mecca Brunson, Shawn Stainback, Soquana Wallace, Erik Dellums, Leland Hardy, Garry Pastore, Eric Payne, John Michael Quinn, Michael Ralph, Nicholas Turturro;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Do the Right Thing” on the website imdb.com
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, 1962
Director: Robert Mulligan
Based on Harper Lee's novel, this film follows the story of a young girl growing up in the racially charged South and her father, a lawyer, defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. It addresses themes of racial injustice and moral growth.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Frank Overton, Brock Peters, James Anderson, John Megna, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Robert Duvall, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale, R.L. Armstrong, Walter Bacon, Eddie Baker, Bobby Barber, John Barton, Audrey Betz, Danny Borzage, John Breen, Jess Cavin, Noble «Kid» Chissell, Jack Clinton, Steve Condit, May Couch, David Crawford, Frank Ellis, Jamie Forster, Charles E. Fredericks, Raoul Freeman, Herman Hack, Jester Hairston, Chuck Hamilton, Kim Hamilton, Kim Hector, Michael Jeffers, Dick Johnstone, Chester Jones, Colin Kenny, Ethan Laidlaw, Nancy Marshall, Clyde McLeod, Charles McQuary, Charles Morton, Paulene Myers;
Production year: 1962;
Genre: drama, crime;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the website imdb.com
“The Hate U Give”, 2018
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Based on the novel by Angie Thomas, this film follows the story of a young girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend by a police officer. It explores themes of racial identity, activism, and the Black Lives Matter movement [[1]](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g32742390/movies-about-race/).
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae, Common, Algee Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, K.J. Apa, Dominique Fishback, Lamar Johnson, TJ Wright, Megan Lawless, Rhonda Johnson Dents, Tony Vaughn, Marcia Wright, Al Mitchell, Karan Kendrick, Javon Johnson, Mike Stoudt, Tye Claybrook Jr., Andrene Ward-Hammond, Drew Starkey, Monique Grant, Kurt Yue, Marc Fajardo, DJames Jones, Abby Glover, William J. Harrison, Susan Santiago, Brittany Inge, Chantel Bryant, Brian Lafontaine, Parker Sack, Kaleigh Rivera, Chris Cavalier, Ansley Davis, Gino La Mont, Joe Hardy Jr., Jeff Cole, Nick J. McNeil, Josh Henry, Brett Gentile, Kelvin Witherspoon, Iyana Halley, Dustin Lewis, Tanya Christiansen, Myles Evans, Shay Mack, James Healy Jr.;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Hate U Give” on the website imdb.com
“Get Out”, 2017
Director: Jordan Peele
Directed by Jordan Peele, this horror film uses satire to explore racism and the experience of being a black man in America. It delves into the discomfort and unease of being the “other” in predominantly white spaces.
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel, LaKeith Stanfield, Stephen Root, Lil Rel Howery, Ashley LeConte Campbell, John Wilmot, Caren L. Larkey, Julie Ann Jones, Rutherford Cravens, Geraldine Singer, Yasuhiko Oyama, Richard Herd, Erika Alexander, Jeronimo Spinx, Ian Casselberry, Trey Burvant, John Donohue, Sean Paul Braud, Zailand Adams, Jana Allen, Michael Amstutz, Mark Baggs, Lyle Brocato, Avery Frawley, Jamie Gliddon, Kenneth Herrington, Keegan-Michael Key, David Lachmann, Ben Ladner, Gary Wayne Loper, Matthew McCrocklin, Arnold Montey, Evan Shafran, Nathan Smith, Brad Spiers, Jack Teague, Lory Tom Thompson Sr., Tahj Vaughans, Caiden Vaughn, Carvin White;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: horror, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Get Out” on the website imdb.com
These films offer thought-provoking narratives that confront issues of race and class, providing insight into the complexities of these intersecting social dynamics.
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In conclusion, films that explore the intricate dynamics of race and class serve as powerful mirrors reflecting society's ongoing struggles and triumphs. Through compelling narratives and diverse characters, these films challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about inequality, privilege, and identity. They not only entertain but also provoke critical conversations about systemic issues, encouraging empathy and understanding across cultural divides. As we continue to navigate a world marked by these enduring themes, the cinema remains a vital platform for storytelling that can inspire change and foster a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experience.
