Hollywood's Complicated Narratives

This chapter explores the challenging portrayals of Black characters in biopics about historical figures, emphasizing their character development and the filmmakers' struggles with authenticity. It critiques recent films like 'United States vs. Billie Holiday' and 'Judas and the Black Messiah' for privileging government perspectives over the subjects' own narratives. The discussion calls for more nuanced storytelling that honors the complex realities of influential Black figures, while tackling representation and the shortcomings of the biopic genre.