This film is part of Rentals
Dear White People
The diversification of an all-black residence hall forces a group of African-American university students to take a stand on their own cultural beliefs and identities.
Comedy 2014 108 mins
Director: Justin Simien
Overview
Trouble is brewing at prestigious Ivy League Winchester University. The sole black-only residence hall is to be diversified, to the disgust of firebrand campus DJ Sam White (caustic host of ‘Dear White People’). So when Sam becomes hall president and word spreads of a rival white residence hall’s ‘African-American-themed party’, she and her fellow black students must reassess where they belong in an alleged ‘post-racial’ Obama nation...
Whereas many films that tackle Issues reduce their characters to mouthpieces, Justin Simien’s razor-sharp satire makes all his protagonists thrillingly nuanced and conflicted. Visually inventive (the fourth wall regularly takes a pummelling) yet controlled, it’s in the idea stakes that Simien really lets fly, nailing cultural preconceptions of all colours. Early Spike Lee comparisons – notable School Daze and Do The Right Thing – are inevitable and somewhat courted, but Simien passionately makes his own case for provocative, relevant filmmaking: we’ve gotta have it.
strong language, drug use, racial stereotypingRelated
Comedy
It Must Be Heaven It Must Be Heaven
Comedy 2019 102 mins Director: Elia Suleiman
Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman returns with another deadpan take on life in exile that is typically assured and moving.
Rare Beasts Rare Beasts
Drama 2019 92 mins Director: Billie Piper
Billie Piper stars in her own directorial debut, a no-holds-barred, Fleabag-esque anti-romcom about a modern woman’s struggles in work and love.
Black Bear Black Bear
Comedy 2020 106 mins Director: Lawrence Michael Levine
At a remote lake house, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in the pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.
Sometimes Always Never Sometimes Always Never
Comedy 2018 91 mins Director: Carl Hunter
Bill Nighy, Sam Riley and Alice Lowe star in this stylish and heartfelt comedy-drama about a Scrabble-obsessed tailor searching for a lost son.
La belle époque La belle époque
Comedy 2019 115 mins Director: Nicolas Bedos
Daniel Auteuil’s illustrator is given the chance to visit a different era to re-evaluate his life in this resplendent and absurdly enjoyable French comedy.
The Cannibal Club The Cannibal Club
Comedy 2018 81 mins Director: Guto Parente
The wealthy elite feed off the lower classes in a deliciously twisted Brazilian social satire that’s definitely not for the squeamish.
Black Stories
12 Years a Slave 12 Years a Slave
Biopic 2013 134 mins Director: Steve McQueen
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender star in Steve McQueen’s fearless, Oscar-winning story of a free man who’s sold into slavery.
20 Feet from Stardom 20 Feet from Stardom
Documentary 2013 87 mins Director: Morgan Neville
This moving documentary shines a spotlight on the backing singers behind some of the great musical hits of the 21st century.
Adulthood Adulthood
Drama 2008 99 mins Director: Noel Clarke
After being released from prison following a murder charge, Sam Peel (Noel Clarke) attempts to reboot his life and seek redemption.
All Night Long All Night Long
Drama 1962 91 mins Director: Basil Dearden
Othello is transposed to the 1960s Soho jazz scene as a malevolent drummer sows mistrust between husband-and-wife jazz luminaries.
American Gangster American Gangster
Crime 2007 157 mins Director: Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott’s heavyweight crime drama follows the rise and fall of drug-runner Frank Lucas, commandingly portrayed by Denzel Washington.
Amazing Grace Amazing Grace
Documentary 2019 89 mins Director: Alan Elliott
Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.
New
Friendship's Death Friendship's Death
Science Fiction 1987 72 mins Director: Peter Wollen
Tilda Swinton plays an extra-terrestrial android discussing life’s big questions with a British war correspondent in this unique sci-fi by influential film theorist Peter Wollen.
It Must Be Heaven It Must Be Heaven
Comedy 2019 102 mins Director: Elia Suleiman
Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman returns with another deadpan take on life in exile that is typically assured and moving.
Ammonite Ammonite
Biopic 2020 118 mins Director: Francis Lee
Francis Lee follows up God’s Own Country with a film that is every bit as immersive, tactile and emotionally powerful, aided by the devastatingly good Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.
I Am Samuel I Am Samuel
Documentary 2020 68 mins Director: Pete Murimi
Kenyan couple Samuel and Alex remain committed to each other despite the danger and hardship facing them in Pater Murimi’s moving documentary portrait.
Running Against the Wind Running Against the Wind
Drama 2019 116 mins Director: Jan Philipp Weyl
In Ethiopia, two young men are racing to make their dreams come true.
Carmen and Lola Carmen and Lola
Romance 2018 103 mins Director: Arantxa Echevarria
Two teenage girls from a close-knit Roma community fall in love in this fresh and affecting coming-of-age romance from Spanish director Arantxa Echevarría.