OCTOBER 1, 2024
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA
WEEKLY DISPATCH
By Leslie Fields-Cruz
Last Friday, I moderated a post-screening Q&A at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema in New York City. The occasion reminded me why Black political documentaries matter. Filmmakers Dawne Langford and Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough were there to discuss their latest film, The Body Politic, which airs on PBS next month. The film follows the first year of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s inaugural term as he attempts to reduce violence in the city. Scott was 36 years old when he took office in 2020 and though he is not Baltimore’s first Black mayor, he is its youngest. Listening to Dawne and Gabriel talk about their experiences capturing this unique story on film was fascinating.
In just a few weeks, Americans will go to the polls to elect the next President of the United States. Regardless of who wins that race, there’s no doubt it will be the focus of many documentaries in the future.
Our Unique Political History
Generally, I’m not all that interested in politics. But I admit, the history of African Americans and women in politics is intriguing. We are living in times when documenting these stories is extremely important. Not only are these films instructive and entertaining, they prompt needed personal reflection and public discourse. The voting public needs to think about how the nation contends with its exclusionist political past and how intentionally it leans into its more diverse political future. I am honored to be in a position to help fund and distribute such projects. The Body Politic (known then as The Untitled Baltimore Documentary), for instance, competed in our 2023 PitchBLACK Forum. And our inaugural BE HEARD series, which premiered in 2020 and will run again on our social channels this month, underscores the importance of participating in the political process.
Surely, many books will be written about the politicians I mention here as well as others. But the audience reached by those books is not nearly as large or diverse as that reached by films and digital media. I applaud those in the BPM community who dare to take on these projects. As challenging as they are, documenting and preserving our nation’s ongoing journey to live into its ideals is an invaluable public service.
So, if you or someone you know is working on a project that documents the story of a Black politician, I invite you to consider submitting a proposal in next year’s Open Call. This year’s call is now closed. But projects on this evergreen topic are always welcome.