SIDNEY – Review by Martha K Baker

Sidney Poitier became a legend, as an actor, as an activist, as a Black man in racist America. He died in January, 2022, at age 94. This documentary honors him as that legend, avoiding hagiography but certainly raving about the contributions of one hard-working actor, the first Black man to win an Oscar. Within the adulation of the bio-doc, Poitier stands out from the many interviewees, who include his five daughters and two wives. His voice, largely from a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, remains quiet and sure, modest and cool. Winfrey produced the laudatory film of her friend, whom she called her “great Black Hope.”

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NATIONTIME, GARY – Review by Lana Wilson-Combs

The documentary vividly illustrates how many of the same issues Blacks fought to overcome during the 1960s and 1970s–like systemic racism and economic injustice–are still being addressed today. Nationtime, Gary is a stark reminder of how important it is for African Americans to not only document and preserve black history, but to never forget the journey and sacrifice that goes along with it.

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