In Plain Sight: Octavia E. Butler and Black Futures

Octavia E. Butler’s birthday was on June 22, 1947. She is the mother of black futures and would have been 73 years old this year. Her worlds explored Black people and situations where race, sexuality, and hierarchy determined the fates of her characters. She never sugar-coated scenarios, often bringing the worst of human nature to... Continue Reading →

June 23, 2020

In Plain Sight: She Never Died

As a programmer for The Blood in the Snow Film Festival, I have the privilege of seeing some fantastic films created here in Canada, and I feel even luckier when we acquire them. One such film, She Never Died, screened in 2019 to great acclaim. Directed by Audrey Cummings, it’s not exactly a sequel to... Continue Reading →

May 18, 2020

In Plain Sight: Fast Color

Filmmaker Julia Hart was inspired to write a film about motherhood and finding your strength in the face of adversity. What she was able to accomplish is her 2018 sci-fi drama Fast Color, a universal story about a woman with extraordinary powers who must protect her daughter while also including a deeper theme of diversity... Continue Reading →

May 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

See You Yesterday Taps Into Sci-Fi and the Black Lives Reality

Netflix does it again by taking a chance on representation. In the tradition of classic T.V. series like Sliders and Quantum Leap, Stefon Bristol's first feature film See You Yesterday combines time travel, mistaken identity, and black family bonds for a strong sci-fi debut. C.J. (Duncan-Smith) and Sebastian (Crichlow) trying to figure out time jumping.... Continue Reading →

May 20, 2019 0