Film Series
A Time for Burning: Cinema of the Civil Rights Movement
"It’s an epic show, a total immersion, and for some might even be an awakening.”—J. Hoberman, ArtInfo
"One of the most important and unpredictably comprehensive
retrospectives of the year." —Steve
Dollar, The Wall Street Journal
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, BAMcinématek presents 40 films documenting the period of the civil rights movement leading up to the March and the waves of legislation that passed in the years following it. Culled from 28 private film and television archives, collectors, studios and public libraries, these films create a sweeping portrait of what's often called the heroic era of the civil rights movement in documentary, Hollywood and independent film.
This film mixes archival footage with readings by Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, and more.
A searing look at racism by leftist filmmaker Leo Hurwitz and avant gardist Paul Strand.
One of the simplest and most radical documentaries ever made.
Two iconic documentaries by Jack Willis, about voting rights in the South.
These two documentaries by Robert Drew capture the spirit of a tumultuous era.
The classic screen adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
Gordon Parks’ debut is the first Hollywood film directed by an African-American.
A program of two shorts featuring literary titan James Baldwin.
A rare look at the living conditions, both good and bad, in the rural segregated South.
William Shatner stars as an irredeemable bigot in this Roger Corman film.
Scandal erupts when a Lutheran minister attempts a modest experiment at his church.
Filmmaker St. Clair Bourne follows a young pastor trying to find a spiritual path.
Highlights of trailblazing documentarian Madeline Anderson’s incredible body of work.
Two radical documentaries explore various aspects of racial unrest.
Harry Belafonte stars in the first film noir to feature a black protagonist.
An intense documentary about the growing rifts within the civil rights movement.
Abbey Lincoln stars in “one of the great American independent films” (Amy Taubin).
The godfather of gore exposes racial tensions in this unnerving film.
This adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s masterpiece stars Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee.
William Greaves’ portrait of the revolution transforming black consciousness.
Highlights from William Greaves’ Emmy-winning news program.
This collection of documentaries commemorates the March on Washington’s 50th anniversary.