African-American Critics Bring the ‘Black Experience on Film’ to TCM

TCM Movies

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is teaming up with Turner Classic Movies for a September programming event focusing on the portrayal of African Americans throughout cinematic history.

The series, titled “The Black Experience on Film,” will feature classic movies from the 1920s through the 1990s, with commentary by 13 AAFCA members including Urban Hollywood 411 founder Anita Bennett, AAFCA president Gil Robertson, AAFCA co-founder Shawn Edwards, veteran entertainment journalist KJ Matthews, and Black Tree Media founder Jamaal Finkley.

The programming will showcase 32 films, including Claudine, Sparkle, Cleopatra Jones, To Kill a Mockingbird, Cooley High, Stir CrazyA Raisin in the Sun, Carmen Jones and Hollywood Shuffle.

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“Since the earliest days of film, the portrayal of black characters has ranged from stereotypical and one-dimensional to more nuanced and complex,” Charles Tabesh, senior vice president of programming & production at TCM, said in a statement. “With this programming tentpole, we will explore this important part of film history specifically from an African-American perspective.”

Each broadcast will have a theme such as exploring black identity, black romance in Film, African-American musicals, strong black women and African-American comedies.

“The legacy of African Americans in cinema often goes untold,” Robertson explained. “Our intent is that audiences be engaged, entertained and enlightened by the sheer diversity and breadth of this substantial arc of film programming.”

“The Black Experience on Film,” runs every Tuesday and Thursday night at 8 p.m. on TCM, from Sept. 4 through Sept. 27.

For a full list of the featured films and more information on the critics, click here.