Netflix Documentaries

Along with narratives, I like to explore a different form of storytelling—documentaries. Netflix has been on point lately, having a good amount of documentaries with Black subjects. So, without further ado, here’s what I thought about three films that I’ve watched recently: 

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap, 2012

After watching The Hip-Hop Fellow, featuring 9th Wonder, I became extremely interested in hip-hop as an art form and social movement. So, when I saw that The Art of Rap was on Netflix, I knew that I had to watch it. This documentary is centered on the idea that MC-ing takes actual skill. Duh. Ice-T travels from coast to coast interviewing some of the greatest rappers, producers, and beat-boxers in the business. Of course, some of the language was a bit much for this church girl, but I knew what I was getting myself into when I pressed play and found dissecting the rhymes intellectually stimulating. I always say that rappers are some of the smartest people out there. This film affirmed that belief through complex and thought provoking verses. I also really dug the cinematography There were some really beautiful skyline shots.

Although I found this film interesting and quite enjoyable, it didn’t give much clarity about the actual process of writing or free styling. I wish I could of learned more about the “how” as opposed to only getting continuous introductions to the “what.” There were a lot of old buddies reminiscing, who were great and all, but I think it could have been improved by displaying this art through a means other than example. Ice-T was feeling himself a little bit, constantly butting in with his own contributions to the industry. So, if you’re looking for mad bars, [insert hip adjective here] beats, and a trip down memory lane, this is the movie for you. If you’re a history buff…not so much. 

Venus and Serena, 2012

My family is a huge fan of the Williams sisters. When we’re watching a match it sounds more like a football game than the pleasant soft roar of polite claps. Because I was born in ’95, the Venus and Serena that I know were always fierce and fashion forward. So, when I saw that this documentary was available, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about the bead-wearing child prodigies that my parents were always talking about. Venus and Serena gives pretty good insight into the lives of these tennis stars beyond the stats and behind the cameras.

This film combines following the sisters during 2011 (while Venus begins dealing with her autoimmune disease) with looking back at the origins of their stardom. I like that there was a dual focus; however I think that it bounced back and forth between the two a bit randomly. Better sequencing would have made this film more captivating. That being said, Venus and Serena was successful in making me feel like I had some sort of personal connection with the Williams sisters. They didn’t shy away from hard subjects like racism, death, divorce, and disease. At the same time, I was able to see a lighter more fun side of the two, playfully bickering and laughing off the haters. All in all, this documentary wasn’t perfect, but it gave me more reasons to treat aces like 70-yard touchdowns. 

Undefeated, 2011

In an effort to take a break from my Friday Night Lights binge, I ever so logically decided to watch yet another high school football film. Undefeated follows the Manassas Tigers of Memphis, Tennessee. Quite honestly, I was extremely skeptical of this film. It looked like it was going to be another “white savior” film where the disadvantaged Black people succeed at doing the only thing that we are stereotypically capable of doing—playing sports. Although Undefeated has some of those tendencies, I still felt like it is worthy of its Academy Award. I never found myself feeling offended.

This documentary did a fantastic job of portraying the team members as people instead of just bodies. As such, winning games was less important than what players were going to do when the games all ended. Unlike a lot of inner-city documentaries, this film didn’t lump the entire African-American community together. It does show extreme poverty and despair, however the filmmakers seem to be commenting more on undeserved racial disparity than some undeserved blessing from White America. It shows struggle, but only as a means of highlighting inner strength. Sure, it’s heartwarming, but I think that adjective misses the point. This football team accomplished the seemingly impossible, but when it was all over, I was still kind of upset that these kids still had to jump over the hurdles associated with poverty. In short, I’m a fan of Undefeated and would recommend it, even to those who don’t know the difference between a free throw and a field goal. 

Documentaries on My List:

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Marion Jones: Press Pause (30 For 30)

You Don’t Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson (30 For 30)

Benji (30 For 30)
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

On The Way to School

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

We Could Be King

Doin’ It in the Park: Pick-Up Basketball, New York City

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

Something to Cheer About

American Experience: 1964
20 Feet From Stardom