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bell hooks' Shortlist

Published on April 17, 2007

The Shortlist article series is your opportunity to learn about the films that inspire intellectual, artistic and activist leaders--leaders like writer bell hooks. We asked bell to share her favorite films and her thoughts on the power of documentary to change the world. So what films make bell hooks' Shortlist? Keep reading to find out.

bell hooks, photo by Barbara Ries

Who is bell hooks?

bell describes herself as a "seeker on the path of love, spiritual advisor, cultural critic, feminist theorist and writer (non-fiction and children's books)." She lives in the Kentucky hills and has spent time in New York City and Florida. She is an obsessive reader, especially of mystery novels. bell hooks is a distinguished professor at Berea College.

bell hooks on the Power of Film

In a world where censorship and the silencing of dissent is common practice we cannot rely on the media to give us movies that are "real," informative or transformative. Documentary films remain one of the essential expressions of free speech. Two Spike Lee documentaries, Four Little Girls and When the Levees Broke, inspire me because they poignantly document the impact of post-traumatic stress caused by racist exploitation and oppression in the lives of black folks.

bell's Film Picks

Stranger With a Camera: This film raises crucial ethical and political issues about the power of the camera and the relationship between artists and subjects. It is also about class, homophobia and the dangers of a closed community.

Four Little Girls: Every American should see this film. It is a true to life portrait of imperialist white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy. One of the most powerful visual accounts of the traumatic impact of racial terrorism in the lives of black folks. An amazing story of a white woman who loves Justice enough to take a stand.

Saving Jackie: Talk about the power of the documentary. This young black female filmmaker turns the camera on her family to explore the impact of drug addiction on children. She examines both her mother's addiction to cocaine and her recovery.

Her: A blend of futuristic filmmaking using several forms including animation and straight-forward documentary. Some might call it sci-fi--it's visionary. Challenging patriarchy, it gives everyone the opportunity to understand injustices--the pain of sexist domination and oppression.

Blue: Derek Jarman's Blue invites audiences to see and feel with him, losing his sight as a consequence of AIDS. He shows us that beauty can emerge from even the most tragic circumstances.

Happy to Be Nappy and Other Tales of Me: A film for children and grown-ups who want to look at the impact of difference in the lives of young folk. It's beautiful, funny, sad and uplifting.

When the Levees Broke: Significantly, this film offers a voice to diverse groups of people who were not given media coverage during the Katrina crisis. It exposes the racial terrorism that is the continued political practice in our water [system] and offers amazing humanizing portraits of black people, especially black men.

Crumb: A powerful portrait of dissident creativity.

Shut Up and Sing: An interesting look at the radical politicization of white women who initially lacked critical consciousness.

Black Is...Black Ain't: Marlon Riggs' provocative look at the formation of black identities and homophobia in black life.

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