The American holiday of the Fourth of July, being well celebrated in The States for their independence, is one full of barbecues, swimming, and fireworks. Many also reflect on the growth and progress of the country, but often from only a single point of view.
For many, July 4th isn’t something always worth celebrating. Not everyone in America gets to celebrate having the same independence. For immigrants, black and people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, religious and ethnic minorities, and so on, “independence” isn’t something yet in full grasp.
Looking at American history and political conflicts from a narrative other than your own is important, and these films give the opportunity to do so, representing different communities within America.
Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
Based on a true story, Joe Talbot directs the story of Jimmie Fails’ childhood home. With themes of racial inequity and the gentrification in San Francisco which led to eviction, Fails tries to get the house built by his grandfather back.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, the film is exactly about what the title suggests. One of the most significant trials in American history, where anti-Vietnam War activists were charged following a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
13th (2016)
13th is a powerful documentary from Ava DuVernay, titled after the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. It focuses on the history of racial inequality in the U.S., specifically within the racially disproportionate prison system.
The Post (2017)
Steven Spielberg’s The Post details the efforts of Katherine Graham, the first woman publisher of an American newspaper, and her editor at The Washington Post, as they are able to expose and publish The Pentagon Papers, which reveal horrid truths about America’s involvement in Vietnam that were covered up by the government. Their career risking efforts show the power of journalism.
Milk (2008)
Milk, about Harvey Milk, directed by Gus Van Sant, tells the story of the first openly gay elected official in the United States, in 1977. His election was an important step in American history.
Miss Juneteenth (2020)
Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth is an empowering story about the relationship between a mother and daughter, while preparing for the Miss Juneteenth pageant, which represents the holiday that remembers and honors emancipation and black history.
Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
From Kimberly Peirce, a biographical story based on the real life of Brandon Teena, a trans man in middle America trying to find his identity but being interrupted by receiving hate and threats from people around him.
She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry (2014)
A documentary by Mary Dore, visualizing the modern women’s movement in the late 60s to 70s and highlights the many activists. It was the first film to document the Second Wave feminist movement in America.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)
Directed by Eliza Hittman, the film tells a story of the current crisis for reproductive rights in America, and it serves as just one example of thousands of different experiences women in America are facing.
Kaleen Gendreau is an intern at Raindance, and she previously earned her BA in Mass Communications and Production from the University of South Florida, Tampa, in the spring of 2023. She’s written and directed two student film projects, and spent a lot of her time at university working and filming in a virtual production studio.
