BLK: An Origin Story Makes an Untold History Known

As a Black Canadian with Caribbean heritage, I know some of my family's origins, coming from India, Africa, the Indigenous tribes of the Caribbean and white colonialists. To connect the dots to the lineage would be a huge undertaking, but at least I'm aware of some of my family's background. But what if you're a... Continue Reading →

April 5, 2022

TIFF 2020: The Water Man

Actor David Oyelowo's love for 80s cinema like The Goonies and representation inspired his choice for his feature directorial debut. In The Water Man, he takes us on a heartfelt journey with a boy, legend, and renewed faith in family. Gunner (Lonnie Chavis) is a creative child that his father, Amos (David Oyelowo), doesn’t understand.... Continue Reading →

September 17, 2020

TIFF 2020: Akilla’s Escape

When a life shaped by manipulation and violence is all you know, it can be difficult to change patterns as an adult. In Charles Officer's Akilla's Escape, we see one man surrounded by danger determined to live by honor and kindness, regardless of the cost. Akilla (Saul Williams) runs a marijuana grow-op in Toronto. He... Continue Reading →

September 13, 2020

In Plain Sight: Brown Girl Begins

Afrofuturism is a term coined by cultural critic Mark Dery, but I tend to lean towards writer and filmmaker Ytasha Womack’s definition which states: “Whether through literature, visual arts, music, or grassroots organizing, Afrofuturists redefine culture and notions of blackness for today and the future. Both an artistic aesthetic and a framework for critical theory,... Continue Reading →

June 8, 2020

Black and Blue Hits Hard With Drama and Tension

When an ex-vet turned cop has a life or death decision to make, she must choose between Black and Blue. Alicia West (Naomie Harris) is a rookie cop in New Orleans, ready to make a difference after her military career in Afghanistan. She is hopeful and eager to pull her weight, so when she... Continue Reading →

October 25, 2019