Top 5 on Netflix - The Black Middle Classes

Mydy’s second podcast! It’s the second part Secorro’s look at the Netflix Black Lives Matter collection and associated films. We’re still tinkering with tech and format. Other episodes will feature discussions with more back and forth, as well as interviews and guest spots. As always, comments welcome!

This week, from five films on Netflix, (1) Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020); (2) Strong Island (2017); (3) Skin (2019); (4) I Am Not Your Negro (2016); and (5) Black Privilege (2019) emerges the theme of the ‘Black Middle Classes.’ While they all hit the mark for entertainment value, some fall short in misrepresenting a fantasy of black life that is more based-on-aspirational than matter-of-fact; and the documentaries provide insights on the functions, politics, and practices of black middle classes.

In light of the solidarity expressed by the Black Lives Matter movement - and other protesters and campaigners - with Palestinians, our intro is about Palestinian films that shed light on the current issue of annexation. Abla talks about the London Palestine Film Festival collection, Mats Grorud’s The Tower (available via Amazon Prime), Wassim Safadi’s State of Siege (available on YouTube) and Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours (also Amazon Prime). Get in touch if you want more info about any of these!