10 Profound Films That Just Happen To Be By and/or About Women Of Color

Women of color have repeatedly been used by directors to create a drama/traumatic filled narrative that will do well in the box office. Their main focus being to showcase the otherness and hardships in a colored woman’s life so that the audience can briefly pity us while applauding themselves that they just got to know us a little bit more. Why can’t there be more stories of complex, emotion-filled and ambitious women of color who have screenplays made about them for purely being amazing?

Note to filmmakers/viewers: We don’t need your sympathetic vote.

Representation in a child’s life is crucial to their self-esteem and confidence development. Especially in today’s world—film and TV make up such a huge part of what everyone turns to when they’re in need of entertainment. When I was growing up at least, I had little to none of that. I used to watch Beetlejuice repeatedly and played Super Mario on the Nintendo 64. That was the simple, basic layout of my day—to save the pretty, white princess Peach and quote Winona Ryder as I sulked around the house in a big black, round hat.

Thinking back, I had absolutely no form of American entertainment that I felt like I could personally resonate with.  There was no representation of me: a brown skinned, dark eyed, dark haired, mischievous little girl in anything that I loved. As a “different’’ girl surrounded by only white friends who resided in an isolated, hippie part of Arizona—I had such a hard time coming to terms with my true identity.

Ultimately, the task of representing how great we are has been mostly left up to us. I have compiled a list of films that we need to celebrate; it includes the type of material that would have made me feel less lonely as a pre-teen. These movies weren’t only chosen just because they were made or are about women of color; they were chosen because they’re all utterly phenomenal.

 

1. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)

Undeniably one of the most exuberant films I’ve seen yet. Ana Lily Amirpour crafted a satiating cinematic masterpiece about a Persian Vampire, one that draws the audience instantly towards its black and white Iranian juxtaposition—the way ravenous flies are seduced by a gleaming bulb of light. That was me, a fly with a conscious who decided forty-six minutes into the film that this was my new, ultimate favorite movie. Besides it being visually breathtaking, it’s equipped with one of the most potent and divine soundtracks that I’ll be listening to endlessly. So yeah, watch the movie about the Persian Vampire who feeds on sick, twisted men.

 

2. Wadjda (2012)

Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, Wadjda is a glorious and tender tale that most women will be able to resonate with on some level.  While shedding light on the extreme patriarchal enforcement in Saudi—Mansour portrays Wadjda as an unapologetic 11-year-old who refuses to engrain the idea that she’s any lesser than her male peers. The intuitive and sly 6^th grader seals promises with handmade mix tapes and sells homemade bracelets to the girls at her school to collect enough money to spend on a forest-green bike she becomes infatuated with. Wadjda is a very beautiful and inspiring film that is delivered exquisitely.

 

3. Mississippi Masala (1991)

Mira Nair created a sublime love story revolving rich cultures and races without using stereotypes—she simply did it, and it ended up not being a big deal.

I mean, it was a big deal in a sense that she made a gorgeous piece of art that was overflowing with blue and bright orange hues and filled with heart-wrenching, tender, glorious moments. It was a big deal in a sense that after watching the movie— I felt connected to the dark skinned main character, Mina (played by Sarita Choudhury) and felt as pretty as her for a second. That was a huge deal for teenager me, I got to compare myself to a striking brown beauty on screen therefore feeling less terrible about myself—who was longing for European features at the time (fourteen is a rough age—okay).

 

4. Frida (2002)

At this point, I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve revisited this unique cinematic experience. One of my more meaningful memories with this biography of the Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, was when I was on a plane ride to Germany over the past summer. Out of Delta Airline’s small collection of movies available to stream, Frida was in the mix and I felt blessed. My mom was sleeping on my shoulder as I entered Frida’s extravagant world of small riches and personal treasures. I cry each time but it hit me hardest 30,000 feet up into the air. I’m really in love with this take on Frida’s life and I think Salma Hayek was born for the role of Frida. The cinematography guides you through the passionate and intense life of Frida Kahlo without forcing you to necessarily understand it. It’s almost seems like an effortless way of savoring a sensation as well as expressing it. Along with the divine soundtrack, I think this movie is close to utter perfection.

 

5. Inshallah: Diary of an Afghan Woman (2002)

 

This intimate documentary portrays Suraya Sadeed’s virtuous missions to transform Afghanistan into a better place. One becomes intensely connected with her emotions and yearning to help the people of Afghanistan. Suraya selflessly devoted her life to providing humanitarian aid, education and medical care that has directly helped an estimated 1.7 million Afghan Children and their families. Suraya’s determination and strength stirs a movement inside of you, this inspiring story is one that should not go unheard of.

 

6. B is for Boy (2013)

This Nigerian drama directed by Chika Anadu depicts the life of a woman who falls into a state of desperation when she’s unable to produce a male heir—threatening the state of her happy marriage. As the compelling story unfolds the strength of Amaka isn’t impinged. I was floored with how completely riveting this film was and aim to seek out/submerge myself into more of the greatness of African Cinema available.

 

7. Girlhood (2014)

I was so impressed and drawn towards Céline Sciamma’s portrayal of Marieme’s life with her girl gang. Scimma avoids stamping the women in this movie as the “token black girl’s” but gives them the respect of placing them on a platform where they can be seen as normal girls who dance, gossip and sing with one another. It’s not another story about an immigrant’s struggle—it’s touching, sweet and displays the importance of healthy girl friendships.

 

 

8. Selena (1997)

One of the most flawless reinvented stories of the Latin star, Selena. It had such a powerful impact on me when I had first seen it and it continues to astound me today.  Everyone knows about the story of Selena—who was on the verge of becoming the next most influential artist in the world before the founder of the Selena Fan Club tragically killed her. Her story was crafted with such elegance, beauty and talent that undeniably shone through Selena herself. Just like how Salma Hayek was born to play Frida, Jennifer Lopez was made to portray Selena.

 

 

9. Appropriate Behavior (2014)

Desiree Akhaven shares her own story as an Iranian woman living in Brooklyn who is continuously battling her two identities: The cultural Iranian her parents view her as vs. her sexually curious self that she’s condemned for. The film is filled with tiny, precious moments that are relatable no matter which cultural background you come from.

 

 

10. Persepolis (2007) 

Marjane Satrapi visually executes the most breathtaking forms of animation that I have ever seen. In between the bold gray and black lines of the film lies an overflowing stream filled with gold-scaled fish and turbulent marvelousness. The free spirit of the film follows you around for days—even months after viewing it. The story depicts the life of a girl in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution—it’s portrayed with so much grace and charm that it’s simply impossible to not become naturally allured to it.