Light Girls

Jan 19, 2015

1h 24m

★ 10.0

Overview

From the creator and director of the critically acclaimed documentary Dark Girls, award-winning filmmaker Bill Duke continues the conversation on colorism with Light Girls. Sharing the untold stories and experiences of lighter-skinned women, Light Girls dives deep into the discussion of skin color, preference, privilege, pain and prejudice. The documentary features interviews with Russell Simmons, Soledad O'Brien, Diahann Carroll, India Arie, Iyanla Vanzant, Michaela Angela Davis, Kym Whitley, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and more.

Genres

Documentary

History

Light Girls Trailers

Cast

Self

Raven-Symoné

Self

Kym Whitley

Self

Iyanla Vanzant

Self

Essence Atkins

Self

Diahann Carroll

Self

Keke Wyatt

Self

Rolonda Watts

Self

Tatyana Ali

Self

LisaRaye McCoy

Self

Claudia Jordan

Self

Dondré Whitfield

Self

Wayne Brady

In the 1960s, a white couple living in East Germany tells their dark-skinned child that her skin color is merely a coincidence. As a teenager, she accidentally discovers the truth. Years before, a group of African men came to study in a village nearby. Sigrid, an East German woman, fell in love with Lucien from Togo and became pregnant. But she was already married to Armin. The child is Togolese-East German filmmaker Ines Johnson-Spain. In interviews with Armin and others from her childhood years, she tracks the astonishing strategies of denial her parents, striving for normality, developed following her birth. What sounds like fieldwork about social dislocation becomes an autobiographical essay film and a reflection on themes such as identity, social norms and family ties, viewed from a very personal perspective.

1.0

All Jokes Aside

Mar 22, 2017

"Laughumentary" about black comedians in Hollywood.

5.6

Sementes: Mulheres Pretas no Poder

Sep 7, 2020

In response to Marielle Franco's execution, the 2018 elections turned into the biggest political upheaval led by black women that Brazil has ever seen, with candidacies in all states. In Rio de Janeiro, Mônica Francisco, Rose Cipriano, Renata Souza, Jaqueline de Jesus, Tainá de Paula and Talíria Petrone applied for the positions of state or federal deputy. The documentary accompanied these women in their campaigns, showing that a new way of doing politics in Brazil is possible, transforming mourning into struggle.

6.2

Dark Girls 2

Jun 30, 2020

DARK GIRLS 2 is a follow up to the highly-touted DARK GIRLS, and explores the prejudices darker-skinned women face around the world.

0.0

Wash Day

Feb 6, 2020

As they get ready for the day, three young Black women discuss the public perception of their Blackness in relation to their cultivation of a strong sense of self. Wash Day is an intimate exploration into how private, domestic acts such as washing your hair or putting on makeup become a significant re-acquaintance with the body, before and after navigating the politics of one's outwardly appearance. Sundance Ignite 2021

6.8

Dark Girls

Nov 17, 2011

Documentary exploring the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color---particularly dark-skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture.

9.0

Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years 1984-1992

Mar 3, 2012

Audre Lorde, the highly influential, award-winning African-American lesbian poet came to live in West-Berlin in the 80s and early '90s. She was the mentor and catalyst who helped ignite the Afro-German movement while she challenged white women to acknowledge and constructively use their privileges. With her active support a whole generation of writers and poets for the first time gave voice to their unique experience as people of color in Germany. This documentary contains previously unreleased audiovisual material from director Dagmar Schultz's archives including stunning images of Audre Lorde off stage. With testimony from Lorde's colleagues and friends the film documents Lorde's lasting legacy in Germany and the impact of her work and personality.

0.0

A Table of Our Own

Invalid Date

A groundbreaking new documentary that illuminates the untold stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black people in the psychedelic therapy movement. Interest in psychedelic medicine has exploded in recent years, spurred by a resurgence of research and high-profile advocates. Despite the fact that indigenous Black and Brown people have been using these plant medicines for centuries, psychedelic medicine remains a fundamentally white space.

10.0

Nancy's Workshop

Aug 27, 2019

Every month, natural hair specialist Nancy Falaise closes the doors of her Montreal salon to lead a private workshop for young girls of colour struggling to love their natural hair. Step-by-step, she teaches them how to care for their respective hair textures, while also creating a safe space for them to bond over their shared experiences and forge meaningful friendships. Nancy’s Workshop is an intimate and immersive exploration of this journey. The film is an invitation to observe Nancy and the journey of these girls, and is a testament to the immeasurable value derived from strong and empowering female relationships. Produced by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation.

0.0

Misidentified

Apr 3, 2025

No overview available.

0.0

She Did That

Aug 20, 2019

"She Did That” is the first full-length documentary focusing the lens on Black women building brands and legacies. The film explores the passionate pursuits of Black women and their entrepreneurship journeys.

No Image Available

7.0

Children of the Civil Rights

Feb 23, 2015

For six years, a group of kids went into restaurants and asked for service. It never got violent, it never made national news, but these kids desegregated every restaurant in Oklahoma City except one before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was made into law. Children of the Civil Rights, a documentary film, shares their six year odyssey to freedom. This is a story about the strength of youth.

0.0

Good Stock On The Dimension Floor: An Opera

Mar 7, 2014

A collectively made filmic opera in 35 parts. The Black and predominantly queer art collective, an evolving line up of poets and artists from across the world, abstracts and reimagines opera in any traditional conception. Set to hip-hop, blues, noise, R&B and electronica, the piece uses the voice (chanting, singing, screaming; written by poet and activist Dawn Lundy Martin) as its primary tool, verbalising centuries of alienation, vulnerability and protest in the global African diaspora through its disruptive libretto.

6.3

Beauty Shop

Apr 22, 2005

Far from Chicago, hairdresser Gina Norris has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter and has quickly established herself as a rare talent in her profession. But after repeatedly butting heads with her shady, over-the-top boss, Jorge, Norris sets out to create her own salon -- even snagging a few of Jorge's employees and clients. Now, Jorge will do anything to shut her down.

5.2

B.A.P.S

Mar 28, 1997

Two wannabe Black American princesses aim to marry rich men, who will pay for their world's first combination hair salon and soul food restaurant.

6.4

Something New

Jan 29, 2006

Kenya McQueen thought she had it all: a successful career, good friends and family. There was just one thing she didn't have under control: her love life. All that changes when she meets sexy, free-spirited Brian Kelly. But when her ideal man arrives on the scene, Kenya must decide between the relationship everyone expects and the romance no one expected.

4.6

Phat Girlz

Apr 7, 2006

Two large women struggle to find love and acceptance in a culture where thin is in. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they meet the men of their dreams in completely unexpected ways.

6.0

Time Sleeper

Apr 23, 2021

Sarah, upon accidentally discovering time travel through the use of a drug, must now travel back one year into the past to save her son from a fatal accident.

6.8

Holiday Heart

Dec 10, 2000

After losing his police officer lover, Christian drag queen Holiday Heart meets 12-year-old Niki and her drug-addicted mother, Wanda. Heart finds relief from heartache and a renewed sense of purpose when he steps in as a father figure to Niki and welcomes the two women into his life. But when Wanda becomes romantically involved with her drug dealer, Silas, it may endanger Niki and threaten to destroy the makeshift family.