Documentaries likeI Am Not Your Negro,Whose Streets?, andToni Morrison: The Pieces I Amare essential pieces of education, especially during times of widespread social unrest. As such, perVariety, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, O Cinema, and Magnolia Pictures have worked together to make these wonderful cinematic examinations free to watch.
I Am Not Your Negro, from directorRaoul Peck, examines the life of iconic writerJames Baldwinthrough his unfinished manuscriptRemember This House, about the lives and assassinations ofMedgar Evers,Malcolm X, andMartin Luther King, Jr.Whose Streets?, from directorsSabaah FolayanandDamon Davis, follows the 2014 uprising that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri after the police killing ofMichael Brown. AndToni Morrison: The Pieces IAm, from directorTimothyGreenfield-Sanders, examines the life of iconic writerToni Morrison(Beloved,Song of Solomon) in her own words.
The release of these incredible films for free comes in the wake of the racist killings ofGeorge Floyd,Breonna Taylor,andAhmaud Arberyby the police. The films' release is an effort by all organizations involved to continue efforts of visibility and education, so that our reckoning and education can truly look at the center of systemic racism.Alberto Ibarguen, president of Knight Foundation, said this:
Informed, equitable, inclusive and participatory communities are as essential to a strong democracy as an informed citizenry. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis is a terrible affront to that ideal – and this weekend is a reminder of how tough it will be to rise to the moment. But our democracy depends on our willingness to try.
O Cinema co-foundersKareem TabschandVivian Marthellalso said this:
We believe films have the power to educate, entertain and inspire — they can change communities and can change lives. As artists and arts organizations we have the responsibility to speak out against injustice and oppression. These three remarkable films speak directly to issues that have plagued our country for far too long. We hope they can spark real dialogue and a plan of action to address inequities.
I Am Not Your Negrowill be available on June 7,Whose Streets?will be available on June 14, andToni Morrison: The Pieces I Amwill be available on June 21. Each title will have a 24-hour window to free rent and watch the film, and each free rental will be followed up with a Monday evening virtual discussion led by community members. This service will be available in the following cities: Akron, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Detroit, Michigan; Macon, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Jose, California; and St. Paul, Minnesota. Eventually there will be more information regarding how to register for these free rentals and which webpage to visit, and we will update this article once we learn.
For more on how to help the Black Lives Matter movement,click here. And for more essential documentaries worth watching,click here.
