Florence’s Black History Month Movies

Communities in the United States began celebrating Black History Month in the 1970s to recognize and celebrate the often unacknowledged, but multi-faceted and central role of African Americans in United States history. Recently, the month has become an official celebration in a handful of countries and cities outside of the United States. Black History Month Florence began in February 2016 and set out with a mission to celebrate the diversity of Afro-descendent Cultures in Italy.

BHMF has expanded in just two short years from having 16 sponsored events to having 60 events in 2018. With at least one event a day, it is important to recognize that Black History Month Florence is supported by a growing network of over 60 cross-institutional organizations and the month showcases the work of over 90 artists and performers.

The events aim not only to celebrate diversity across multiple media and varying styles of performance, but also to cultivate cross-cultural dialogues, which challenge the prevailing narratives of diasporic and descended African communities. There are are multiple events in English in efforts to facilitate conversations across language barriers.

Film

To start off the month, there will be showings of Sophie Fiennes’ Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, at Cinema La Compagnia (via Camillo Cavour 50R, Florence). The film is an unconventional American documentary that provides a look inside the supermodel, singer, actress, and record producer, Grace Jones. Born and raised in Jamaica and relocated with family to Syracuse, New York, the film explores the complex childhood and life of the icon. Androgynous and intersectional, this film is an excellent way to kick off the celebration. It will be in English with Italian subtitles (February 1, 9 pm, February 2, 7 pm, and February 3, 9 pm).

Also at Cinema La Compagnia, there will be a screening of This Is Congo directed by photojournalist Daniel McCabe. The American film documents the stories and perspectives of four main characters—a present day National Army Colonel, a mineral dealer, a displaced tailor, and a high-ranking Congolese military commander. Each character offers a unique perspective about their country that disrupts the Western narrative of Congo. The documentary explores Congo’s devastating legacy of colonialism, the power of patriotism, and the country’s antithesis of tragedy and potential. The film will be narrated in English with Italian subtitles (February 4, 6 pm). Anna Rosin