I Am Not Your Negro
Velvet Film (2017)
Advocacy, Documentary, Queer Themes/Interest
In Collection
#817
9*
Seen It:  Yes
(12/4/2017 Home, 1/15/18 PBS, 6/10/20 home)
876964011891
IMDB   7.8
95 mins France / English
DVD  Region 1   PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Samuel L. Jackson Narration (voice)
James Baldwin Himself
Medgar Evers Himself
Malcolm X Himself
Martin Luther King Himself
Dick Cavett Himself
Director
Raoul Peck
Producer Raoul Peck
Rémi Grellety
Writer/Composer James Baldwin
Cinematography Henry Adebonojo


In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished. Written by Jwelch5742
Edition Details
Distributor Magnolia Pictures
Release Date 5/2/2017
Screen Ratio Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio Tracks Stereo [English]
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
References
QueerGuru Rating 9

Notes
James Baldwin was a powerful poet and essayist - arguably one of the greatest social critics of our time· Even though Baldwin sketched the script in 1979, it is totally contemporary for the America of today! A must see film·
He was openly gay in an era where being queer was dangerous.
"His signature style was his prose-startling in its intricate design and depth of perception, and fierce in its determination to dismantle the racial assumptions of the American republic and the English language."
"This ingenious move allows viewers to fully appreciate Baldwin’s unmatched eloquence and form a portrait of the artist through his own words, even if the film largely (and somewhat inexplicably) omits a crucial aspect of his work and life: his sexuality.
+9 Review: Queer Guru (Roger Walker-Dack)
++ Review: NY Times
Review: The Atlantic "The Imperfect Power of 'I Am Not Your Negro'."
! Commentary: Vice "James Baldwin's Queerness Was Inseparable from His Blackness"
! James Baldwin: 'Here Be Dragons' [1985 essay on being a black queer]
! Book Review: NY Times, Robert Jones Jr. 'The Prophets' [Lauren Christensen Dec. 30, 2020] 'son of Baldwin'