It wasn’t long ago that Black people struggled for jobs, credit, and recognition in the film industry.
It took almost 44 years after the first motion picture for an African American to win an Academy Award.
During that time, the roles for people of color were either slim to none, or encouraged the slave narrative.
In the 70’s Black people decided to start creating their own films with their own narrative–for us, by us. Producing classics like Prince’s Purple Rain and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing.
To celebrate these films and their timeless beauty, Complex lists the best Black movies over the last 30 years.
Take a trip down memory lane and click here.
Scene from Love & Basketball