Between The World and Me has documented a heart wrenching conversation of the black experience; an unspoken manual of navigating a white society in black skin.
This story is depicted by Kamilah Forbes, based on the book written by Ta-Nehisi Coates called Between the World and Me, which was performed on the Apollo stage in 2018. The film brings a visual to a series of letters written to his 15 year-old-son about a conversation that every black parent has with their child—a coming of age moment where many black children realize that their skin separates them from the rest of society.
People who aren’t part of a specific group can’t always relate to certain stigmas and grievances, making this film relatable. The racial climate of our country has worsened: murders, lynchings and marches have consumed our lives, shining a light on the broken pieces in our government. The film does a great job at setting a steady tone through each scene.
The fears of parents and those who love and know a 15-year-old gives relatability to the documentary, allowing room for introspection and empathy. The casting of this project was phenomenal.Each actor, author and activist brought great emotion and context to the piece. You were able to see the raw tears, pain and pride that graced each participant’s face when describing their experience and what the future holds.
Oddie Henderson of the Robert Ebert review gives a great assessment of the cast as well as their interpretation of the material:“Forbes has assembled an impressive array of performers, from musicians Ledisi and Black, to veteran actors like Wendell Pierce, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, and Angela Bassett. Two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali delivers a bittersweet monologue about past and present lovers and the birth of Coates’ son, Samori,” Henderson said. “Yara Shahidi, perhaps the youngest person in this cast, speaks of Coates’ school days while sitting in what looks like a dorm. Angela Davis appears in archival and current footage, bridging the gap between past and present activism. Even Oprah shows up late in the proceedings, wearing a head wrap and evoking the spirit of Maya Angelou while basking in the glow of Bradford Young’s superb cinematography.”
I think everyone who is looking for insight and relational bridges should view this documentary. Though the pain of the stories and the words that are spoken are heart wrenching in most scenes, the clarity and reality of the situation is ever-present. It may seem foreign to some, but the film is a constant reality for black people across the country. You may think you’re hearing an age old story of racism and oppression but that isn’t it at all. What you see is fear of death, rules of the land and navigating a country that isn’t meant for you.
I believe this film is heavy in all the right areas but gives light and hope through it all. It isn’t a feel good movie but you will walk away with a new perspective, one you may not have had before.
