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Black girl magic is shining more than ever. What better way to celebrate than with fun films that highlight Black sister solidarity?
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With the success of shows like Insecure and Chewing Gum, even non-women of color are interested in seeing what the cool Black girls are wearing, saying and doing. But when it comes to films highlighting health, Black female friendships, we still have a long way to go. Thank God for movies like Girls Trip, which hits theaters now, for reminding us that Black girl friendships are still thriving and profitable.
Check out these Black chick flicks that every Black girl needs to see:
Set It Off (1996)
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Nothing says loyalty like robbing a bank with your best friends. With an all star cast including Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith, the 1996 film had us all rooting for criminals. If you haven’t seen it before, you may want to bring your tissues when you do.
Waiting To Exhale (1995)
Sad tears, happy tears, lots of men and lots of wine not only describes most Black girl friendships, but also explains the plot of Terry Mcmillan‘s 1995 flick Waiting To Exhale. The film has quotables for days and is a must see whenever you or one of your girls is having a hard time with men. Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston as the main characters is just the icing on the magical cake.
Beauty Shop (2005)
Some of the most juicy gossip and tales of heartbreak go in the beauty salon. Queen Latifah highlighted Black sista hub in her 2005 Beauty Shop — which was a spinoff of the Barbershop franchise. It doesn’t get anymore beautifully Black than a film about a salon, filmed in Atlanta and starring actresses like Alfre Woodard and Sherri Shepherd.
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Sisterhood isn’t always something light and fun — ish often gets real. Eve’s Bayou highlights complex emotions of love, hate, guilt and sorrow wrapped up in a pretty, southern bow. Although Eve’s mother and sister experience lots of emotional turmoil over her father’s shortcomings, the 10-year old golden child finds friendship, love and solace with her aunt Mozelle. Lynn Whitfield, Jurnee Smollett and Megan Good are apart of the star studded cast.
The Color Purple (1985)
Friendship and sodality doesn’t get any more real than with real blood sisters. The Color Purple movie touched on lots of themes that pertain to the Black community, but the relationship between 14-year old Celie and her younger sister Nettie is what carried the entire film. Nettie was Celie’s only solace from her miserable life, but when the two become separated, Celie receives help and support from some unlikely women who enter her life. Although the tone of the flick seems pretty melancholy at first, the lesson is worth the watch.
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
Spirituality and family are running themes in any Black female friendship. Daughters of the Dust perfectly depicted the plight of the Black woman to keep her culture and spirit alive against constant oppressive forces coming at them. The 1991 gem from African American film-maker Julie Dash also shows that through solidarity and sisterhood, mountains can be moved.
Pariah (2011)
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It’s hard enough being a Black girl in America — add being gay into the mix and it’s a recipe for struggle. Pariah tells the story of a 17-year old African-American young lady in Brooklyn, who slowly but surely comes to embrace her identity as a lesbian and confides in her openly gay friend Laura, while dealing with her mother’s disdain. Although the film showcases the deep hurts that can take place in friendships, it also shows how a person’s life could change for the better just from the love and support of a best friend.
Catch Girls Trip in theaters now.
7 Movies Every Black Woman Should See was originally published on globalgrind.com
