Movies and TvShows featuring "african-american-history" theme.

During the early years of the U.S. space program, a team of female African-American mathematicians at NASA play a vital role in assisting with calculations and ensuring the success of space missions. They face racial segregation and gender discrimination, but their brilliance and determination ultimately help them overcome these obstacles and make significant contributions to the space program.

Solomon Northup, a free black man, is abducted and sold into slavery in the antebellum United States. He endures the horrors of being a slave, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and separation from his family. Despite his struggles, he maintains his dignity and seeks freedom.

Red Tails is a 2012 movie that follows the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who faced racial discrimination but went on to become one of the most respected fighter squadrons in World War II. The movie showcases their struggles, triumphs, and the challenges they faced as they fought to prove their worth and make a significant contribution to the war effort.

The Banker is a biographical drama set in 1960s Los Angeles. It tells the story of an African-American banker who recruits a working-class white man to pose as the head of their business empire, as they strive to overcome racial discrimination and achieve success.

During the American Civil War, Captain Robert Gould Shaw leads the first all-black volunteer company in the Union Army. They face prejudices from both their own side and the Confederates. Despite the challenges, they fight bravely, inspiring the Union to recruit more black soldiers and achieve victory over the Confederacy.

As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events shape his life, family, and American society. This film tells the story of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man's life and family.

A biographical epic that follows the life of Malcolm X, from his upbringing in poverty to his transformation into a prominent Black Nationalist leader as a member of the Nation of Islam. The film explores Malcolm X's journey, from his early years as a small-time gangster to his eventual assassination, highlighting his influential role in the civil rights movement and his struggle against racism.

Muhammad Ali (2021) is a TV mini-series that chronicles the extraordinary life of the legendary boxer and social activist. Spanning his rise to fame as a professional boxer, his outspoken stance on social issues, and his enduring impact on American history, this documentary provides a comprehensive look into the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali.

Judas and the Black Messiah tells the true story of Fred Hampton, the Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and William O'Neal, an FBI informant who infiltrates the party with the intention of betraying Hampton. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and political turmoil, the film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the fight for equality. As tensions rise and violence erupts, O'Neal is forced to confront his loyalties and the consequences of his actions.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a historic campaign for equal voting rights, organizing a march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, facing violent opposition and political obstacles.

The Tuskegee Airmen is a movie set during World War II that tells the true story of the first African American pilots in the United States military, who faced racial segregation and prejudice. Despite the challenges they faced, they became an integral part of the U.S. Army Air Forces and made significant contributions to the war effort.

A documentary film that presents priceless footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, featuring performances by legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and B.B. King, and highlights the significance of the event in the context of the sociopolitical landscape of the time.

Bamboozled is a satirical comedy-drama film directed by Spike Lee. It follows the story of Pierre Delacroix, a successful African-American television writer who becomes frustrated with the lack of opportunities for people of color in the entertainment industry. In a desperate attempt to make a point about racism and stereotypes, Delacroix creates a controversial fictional variety show called Mantan: The New Millennium Minstrel Show, featuring performers in blackface. The show becomes a surprise hit, but Delacroix soon realizes that he has inadvertently perpetuated harmful stereotypes and set off a wave of protests. As the pressure mounts, Delacroix must confront his own self-hatred and the consequences of his actions. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, Bamboozled explores themes of race, media, and the power of satire.

Traces the incredible trajectory of Brown’s life and career from a 7th grade drop-out arrested and jailed at the age of 16 for breaking into a car in the Jim Crow-era South, to an entertainment legend whose groundbreaking talent and unique perspective catapulted him to become a cultural force.

This documentary examines the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the criminal justice system and the mass incarceration of African Americans. It delves into the legacy of slavery, the civil rights movement, and the social and political factors that have perpetuated racial discrimination in America. Through interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, '13th' exposes the systemic racism and injustice that continue to plague the country.

The Watermelon Woman is a fake documentary about Cheryl Dunye, a black lesbian filmmaker who sets out to make a film about Fae Richards, a black actress from the 1930s who was known for her roles as a mammy in Hollywood films. As Cheryl researches Fae Richards' life, she also navigates her own personal relationships and experiences as a black lesbian in Philadelphia.

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali is a biography documentary that explores the tragic yet powerful friendship between two African-American icons: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. The film delves into their shared experiences, the impact they had on each other's lives, and their contributions to African-American history. Through archive footage and interviews, the movie sheds light on their roles as father figures and mentors to each other, their involvement in the Nation of Islam, and the challenges they faced in a racially charged America. It also touches upon their achievements as professional sportsmen and their ultimate legacies.

I Am Not Your Negro is a documentary that delves into the history of racism and civil rights in America. It explores the themes of civil unrest, social commentary, racial oppression, and political repression. The film showcases the perspectives of prominent African-American figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

The film explores the history of the word throughout its inception to present day. Woven into the narrative are poetry, music, and commentary from celebrities about their personal experiences with the word and their viewpoints. Each perspective is unique, as is each experience... some are much more comfortable with the word than others.

Masters of American Music is a multi-award-winning television series, as entertaining and memorable as it is educational, it is a must have for any true music fan. The series celebrates a pantheon of the greatest musical innovators with individual programmes tracing the lives and works of master musicians who defined the course of American’s musical history. From the birth of the blues in New Orleans to Swing, Big Band, Bebop, Free Jazz and beyond – all of this rich tapestry is explored with sensitivity and unique depth. The featured artists come to life through conversations with their contemporaries, exciting and rare live performances, period footage and vintage photographs, all of which have been meticulously produced.