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Summary
The moving-picture show in thecoming - of - age genre are beloved worldwide because of their power to address complex and relatable issues . While the genre itself can breed many broad matter , featuring a diverse range of backgrounds , one of the less popular entries in the total - of - old age literary genre is that of citizenry of semblance - specifically , issues that relate to Black women . Whilethe 2023The Color Purplebeat box - business office anticipation , the genre still suffer from a obtrusive lack of engaging account that spotlight many societal , personal , and even professional challenges that Black woman face .
As is often the case with occur - of - age movies that compensate other topics , movies in the genre that spotlight mordant women ’s unique challenge and struggle are relatable to a broad cooking stove of audience because , at their gist , an as compelling underdog chronicle is at the heart of the genre as well . While somecoming - of - age pic specify whole generations of people , others examine more niche lifestyles with the ultimate end of illuminating topic pertain to smaller chemical group . Fromcoming - of - eld movies about the LGBTQ+ communityto family line , the coming - of - years musical genre cover unequaled issues specifically bear on to to Black fair sex .
Themes like release , heartbreak , rebellion , mental health issues , and sexuality are transmit powerfully in these issue forth - of - age movies on Netflix .
12Alma’s Rainbow (1994)
Alma’s Rainbow tackles Black women’s struggles with American beauty standards, self-image, and womanhood.
Alma ’s Rainbow is a mid-90s coming - of - years film that centers around a smutty teenager diagnose Rainbow Gold , and the constant clashing of heads between herself and her conservative mother , Alma . In addition to play up the issues that many Black young lady face regarding their image , strict beauty standard ideals , and growing into their woman , Alma ’s Rainbowalso examines the challenges that Black daughter and mothers face regarding growing pains . As such , Alma ’s Rainbow ’s unique assumption given its 1994 release and its authentically portrayed protagonist makes it a unequaled entry in the number - of - age genre .
Perhaps the most notable ingredient ofAlma ’s Rainbowis how nuanced its approach to its material is regarding its writing and acting . Alma ’s Rainbowdoesn’t essay too hard to get its message of dismissal across , it simply display an uncompromising look at adolescent angst as it relates to blackened girls and the challenge it present to their mothers . Although Hollywood neglected to distribute the film during its original release because of its subjects about ignominious women and their womanhood , fertile filmmaker Julie Dash restored the film in 2022 , where it has since gained a strong cult follow .
Alma ’s Rainbowis usable on Amazon Prime Video .
11The Fits (2015)
Issues of gender identity are examined through The Fits' eleven-year-old protagonist.
The Fitsis the feature - distance launching of filmmaker Anna Rose Holmer , and it centers around a tomboy name Toni and her desire to bring out off from the boxing gymnasium environs that she ’s always get it on and join a concert dance company . try issues of gender norms and ego - identity as they pertain to Black girls , The Fitsanalyzes the intersection between a Black girl ’s muliebrity , and the expectations that one ’s strict bringing up can have on their mind . Through the lens of two extremely competitive sports - packing and ballet- Toni decide which sport represents her and her sprightliness ’s experience more accurately .
The Fitsis useable on Amazon Prime Video .
10Jinn (2018)
Jinn addresses issues of religion and one’s identity through its seventeen-year-old protagonist.
Jinn ’s approach to the coming - of - age drama centers around religion and identity as its protagonist , Summer , is shove into the new and delicate world of Islam after her mother suddenly convert to the religion . As such , Summer ’s carefree and blissful teenage life-time is uprooted and supercede with the more strict and conservative tenets of Islam . AlthoughJinnexamines the challenge that Islam presents to its lifelong followers , its emphasis on the ethnic shifting between the faith and its secular Black admirer highlights issue between Black Muslims that are rarely interpret in Hollywood .
Jinnis uncommitted for gratis on Tubi and to rent on Amazon Prime Video .
9Crooklyn (1994)
Spike Lee’s Crooklyn centers around the hardships of a working-class black family in 1970s New York.
Crooklynis Spike Lee ’s semi - autobiographical picture about his upbringing with his siblings in their little brownstone flat in 1970s New York City . Despite its content , Crooklyncenters around a small blackened missy diagnose Troy as she struggles to adjust to the ever - shift nature of her unstable upbringing . to boot , Crooklynalso focuses on Alfre Woodard ’s Carolyn Carmichael , Troy ’s mother , and the challenges she confront raising all five children alone , since the paterfamilias , Woody , is perpetually work . Crooklynis a beautiful examination of Black families told from the perspective of an optimistic nine - year - old Black girl .
Crooklynis available on Peacock and to engage on Amazon Prime Video .
8Girlhood (2014)
Girlhood’s protagonist joins a gang to find purpose in life.
The Gallic coming - of - age motion-picture show , Girlhood , centers around its sixteen - yr - old booster Marieme and the struggles that she faces defining her individuality . As such , Marieme joins a local street bunch thinking it will help her discover herself and give her the assurance that she postulate to stand up to her abusive older brother . Although she eventually leaves the crew , Marieme does learn how to stick out up for herself and redefine her outcomes in life story through the sisterhood of her gang . Girlhoodexcels in demonstrating the genuine relationships that can often be forged even in some of the world ’s most notorious gangs .
Girlhoodis available on Amazon Prime Video .
7Rocks (2019)
Rocks tackles issues of child abandonment and homelessness.
Rockstackles issues of minor abandonment and the encroachment that it can have on one ’s self - double and psyche through its teen protagonist , Shola - also known as Rocks . Although Rocks ' predicament forces her to essentially become a mother as well as older sib to her chum Emmanuel , the sibling forge a strong bond with fellow abandon child , which demonstrates the power of resolve . In addition to their shared quandary , Rocks , Emmanuel , and the bulk of their surrogate siblings are all of African descent , which speaks to the very real issues of abandonment in urban community .
Rocksis uncommitted on Amazon Prime Video .
Although they halt from the same source , Blitz Bazawule ’s The Color Purple adaption differs from Steven Spielberg ’s original flick in several ways .
6Pariah (2011)
Pariah’s handling of queer Black women’s issues distinguishes it from many other coming-of-age movies.
Pariahaccomplishes something that most mainstream and independent movies fail to do , and that ’s destination issues of queer Black woman genuinely and authentically . Through the lens of its seventeen - yr - old admirer , Alike , Pariahalso succeeds in illuminating many of the issue of homophobia in the Black community that often force Black members of the LGBTQ+ residential area to hide their true ego . Through its unabashed observation of such issues in many ignominious households , Pariahhelped raise knowingness about the issues while also telling an engaging and heartwarming chronicle about love .
Pariahis usable on Amazon Prime Video .
5Queen of Katwe (2016)
Queen of Katwe demonstrates chess’s positive impact on young people.
Based on the dependable story of Ugandan chess player , Phiona Mutesi , Disney’sQueen of Katwesees its protagonist break through societal and grammatical gender barrier to become one of the most august chess players in the world . In increase toQueen of Katwe ’s endearing underdog taradiddle , it also masterfully weave in compelling narratives that highlight many event regarding Uganda ’s economics , political sympathies , and issue relating to sexism . Through its persistent and intelligent ten - class - old friend and her female parent , Nakku Harriet - played by Lupita Nyong’o , Queen of Katweremains a beautiful story about persistence .
Queen of Katweis useable on Disney+ .
Cast
4Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Dysfunctional families and their impact on a child’s education are addressed in Akeelah and the Bee.
Akeelah and the Beesees its eleven - year - old spelling enthusiast protagonist , Akeelah , demonstrate an undeniable flair for literacy despite the unfortunate setting of her dysfunctional home life . Backed by a unattackable support form consisting of Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne , Keke Palmer ’s Akeelah and her family represent many broken family in the Black community and the damaging shock the dysfunction can have on one ’s potentiality . However , go against the caryopsis in many stories centering around the African - American community , Akeelah and the Beeoffers respite in its protagonist ’s unwavering positivity and aptitude for sizeableness despite her circumstance .
Akeelah and the Beeis available on Amazon Prime Video .
3The Hate U Give (2018)
The Hate U Give tackles issues of race and police brutality from a teenage Black girl’s perspective.
The Hate U Giveaddresses the arise pains of its 16 - year - old protagonist while also analyze many issues such as dysfunctional category , drug , and gang ferocity that pervade throughout the bootleg community of interests . Moreover , The Hate U Givealso examine the shock that law viciousness can have on the head of youthful African - Americans . By play up the cyclical nature of the hatred Black people demonstrate to each other with the same amount receive from dishonorable member of law enforcement , The Hate U Giveprovides a unique position to the rampant fury and police barbarism on show in real life .
The Hate U Giveis usable on Hulu .
