May 7, 2019
Brotherhood. Growing up Black. Growing up fast. Relationships. Trying to make it out alive. What do all of these things have in common? They're all significant themes present in both films in Part 2 of our Black Masculinity in Film series.
Boyz n the Hood (1991) & The Wood (1999). Two films both set in Southern California - South Central LA & Inglewood respectively. Both films being "coming of age" classics centered around 3 Black males attempting to mature from boys to men.
One film centering on the trauma and hardship of growing up black in the hood while the other film highlighting a trauma-less story shedding light on everyday life growing up Black and male.
What both films certainly accomplished was the ability to highlight various aspects of black masculinity and opening the door for the future of Black films to be made.
We'd also be remiss if we did not mention the tragic passing of Boyz n the Hood director John Singleton last week. At only 23 years of age, he directed his first film, Boyz n the Hood. A film touching on many themes that would still be relevant nearly 30 years later.
We thank John Singleton for his work beautifully telling the stories of Black people in film throughout his career and we wish his family and friends the healing they need during this time. RIP John Singleton.
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