Black Film Center/Archive

Faces of Women (1985) - Politically and stylistically adventurous film exploring the links between feminism, economics and tradition in modern-day Africa. In French with english subtitles. Comedy, 105 min., VHS, dir: Désiré Ecaré.

Facing Death...Facing Life (2000) - Documentary, 52 min., VHS, dir: Ingrid Gavshon.

Fannie Lou Hamer: Everyday Battle (1999) - The first video biography about civil rights legend Fannie Lou Hamer, this documentary reports intimate details of Hamer's tough early years in one of the poorest areas of the U.S. and her unexpected rise to national prominence, through her last years, often spent alone and ignored. This video also features Congressman John Lewis as he discusses this extraordinary woman. It also includes footage from Atlantic City speech. Documentary, 30 min., VHS, dir: Rex Barnett.

Far From Heaven (2002) - Cathy (Julianne Moore) and Frank Whitaker (Dennis Quaid) seem to be a happy family in suburban America in the 1950s until she discovers that her husband is intimately involved with a man. Cathy befriends Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert), an African-American gardener, but Mona (Celia Weston), spreads gossip about this relationship. Moore won Best Actress at The Venice Film Festival, 2002 and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role. Drama, 107 min., VHS, dir: Todd Haynes.

Far From Home (2005) - Kandice, whose education has been the result of special busing to a Boston suburb, battles with the ideas of race and white priviledge in her school and in life as she debates her academic future. Documentary, 40 min., DVD, dir: Rachel Tsutsumi.

Farm, The: Life Inside Angola Prison (1998) - Co-winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and Oscar nominee, the film documents the lives of inmates imprisoned on this former slave plantation on the muddy banks of the Mississippi. Documentary, 88 min., VHS, dir: Jonathan Stack.

Fast Forward (1985) - Michael (Don Franklin), Francine (Cindy McGee), Valerie (Gretchen F. Palmer), Ruth (Monique Clinton), and Debbie (Debra Varnado) all leave a small town in the Midwest to find dance fame in New York. Musical, 110 min., VHS, dir: Sidney Poitier.

Fast Freight (1929) - Riding the rails with Pete, Farina meets a gang of kids who want to join him on his trip to California where he wants to be a street sweeper on streets paved with gold. Bees eventually chase them from the train, to a deserted house in some woods, where as night falls the kids think they're seeing ghosts. A policeman arrives to rescue them, but Farina goes back to the train--only this time he finds himself locked inside a car full of skeletons and cadavers heading for a medical school. Comedy, 15 min., 8mm, dir: Anthony Mack.

Fast-Walking (1982) - A plot is devised to kill Galliot (Robert Hooks), a prisoner who officials think will encourage other black prisoners to riot. Guards Miniver (James Woods) and Jackson (Charles Weldon) devise a counterplan which is unsuccessful. Many black actors are cast as prisoners, but have no speaking lines. Drama, 116 min., 16mm, dir: James B. Harris.

Fats Domino & Friends (1988) - A concert captured on film in which Fats Domino and his other musician friends perform at a night club in New Orleans. Music Performance, 60 min., VHS, dir: Len Dell'Amico.

Fats Waller Medley (1941) - Fats Waller performs "The Joint is Jumping", "Ain't Misbehavin'", and "Honeysuckle Rose" in this musical short. Music Performance, 9 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

Fear of Disclosure (1989) - This documentary explores the issue of revealing one's HIV status to potential lovers in the gay community. Documentary, 5 min., VHS, dir: Phil Zwickler & David Wojnarowicz.

50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Asante Kingdom, The (1985) - This documentary explores current events and the culture of Ghana. Documentary, 54 min., VHS, dir: Kobina Amonoo.

Fight Against Slavery, The: Free Paper Come (1975) - Episode six of the BBC produced series, The Fight Against Slavery. This part outlines the 1831 slave insurrection in Jamaica led by Daddy Sharpe (Stanley Irons) and the emanicipation of the slaves in 1834. Drama, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Christopher Ralling.

Fight Against Slavery, The: Grateful Peasantry (1975) - Episode five of the BBC produced series, The Fight Against Slavery. The great slavery debate in Parliament of 1792 is coverd in this installment. William Wilberforce (David Collings) is still hard at work trying to convince Parliament to outlaw slavery. Drama, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Christopher Ralling.

Fight Against Slavery, The: Matter of Insurance (1975) - Episode three of the BBC produced The Fight Against Slavery series. British public opinion on slavery begins to change when a slave captain is brought to trial for murdering slaves to collect insurance. Drama, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Christopher Ralling.

Fight Against Slavery, The: One Man's Property (1975) - The second episode of the BBC produced The Fight Against Slavery series traces the events leading up to the Somerset Case in 1772. Drama, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Christopher Ralling.

Fight Against Slavery, The: Tight Packers and Loose Packers (1975) - Episode four of the BBC produced series, The Fight Against Slavery, presents the heightening conflict between the abolitionists and the proponents of slave trade. William Wilberforce (David Collings) investigates and then brings the case of slavery to Parliament. Drama, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Christopher Ralling.

Fighters, The (1971) - The film chronicles the Ali - Frazier world championship heavyweight bout (the "Thrilla in Manilla"). Greaves formats his film through cross-cutting, characterizing Ali and Frazier as good-natured, solitary individuals at the hands of a white corporate machine which commercializes the fighters' every action. Documentary, 114 min., 16mm, dir: William Greaves.

Films of Michael Sporn Volume 1, The (2003) Children, 57 min., DVD, dir: Michael Sporn.

Finding Buck McHenry (2000) - The film is based on Alfred Slote's book of the same title. Jason Ross (Michael Schiffman) is a kid who loves baseball, but is not very good at it. Determined to succeed, he recruits two friends who play the game well, while his school's janitor, Mack Henry (Ossie Davis), becomes their coach. But Jason starts suspecting that Henry might be Buck McHenry, the legend of baseball's Negro League. Drama, 94 min., DVD, dir: Charles Burnett.

Finding Christa (1991) - James Hatch and Camille Billops document her personal story, an artist who leaves her three-year old daughter Christa Victoria at a children's home. Later, at the urging of her adoptive mother, Victoria, now a performing artist, seeks Billops out. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. Documentary, 55 min., VHS, dir: Camille Billops & James Hatch.

Finian's Rainbow (1968) - The story deals with an Irishman who has buried his gold and a bigoted white Southern senator who is turned Black by Sharon's (Petula Clark) wish that he would understand the plight of the sharecropper. Musical, 141 min., VHS, dir: Francis Ford Coppola.

Fireball in the Night (1972) - Produced by BBC Films, this documentary gives an account of the plight of blacks in America, beginning with slavery through the end of the Civil War. Documentary, 52 min., 16mm, dir: Michael Gill.

First Round-Up, The (1934) - The gang goes on a camping trip, but only Scotty and Spanky seem to be prepared. They hitchhike to the spot while the others walk, have food where the others don't, and are perfectly happy in the dark while the others are scared to death. Matthew Beard stars as Stymie, Willie Mae Taylor stars as Buckwheat, and Billie Thomas stars as Billie. Children, 18 min., VHS, dir: Gus Meins.

First World Festival of Negro Arts, The (1968) - Discloses the purpose of the First World Festival of Negro Arts held in Dakar as an attempt to create an awareness of Negro art and culture. Surveys the contributions in music, dance, textiles, poetry, sculpture, and painting. Documentary, 40 min., VHS, dir: William Greaves.

Fishy Tales (1937) - Alfalfa gets into a fight with Butch. Spanky helps Alfalfa fake a broken leg, but Butch gets wise and goes after Alfalfa. The fight begins while Alfalfa is playing William Tell with Buckwheat as his target holder. Billie Thomas stars as Buckwheat. Children, 10 min., VHS, dir: Gordon Douglas.

Five Heartbeats (1991) - Five young, highly talented men (Robert Townsend, Leon, Michael Wright, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells) form a music group in the 1960s. With the help of a seasoned choreographer (Harold Nicholas) and astute manager (Chuck Patterson), the Five Heartbeats rise to fame. Problems occur when the manager is killed, one of the Heartbeats turns to drugs, and two brothers want the same girl (Carla Brothers). Musical, 116 min., VHS, dir: Robert Townsend.

Five on the Black Hand Side (1973) - Black nationalism and women's liberation battle against middle class conventionality as the younger son and later the wife of a black barbershop owner form third world protest against the patriarch's conservative and anglophile values in this sometimes serious comedy. Godfrey Cambridge appears in a cameo role. Comedy, 96 min., DVD, dir: Oscar Williams.

Flag (1989) - After having grown up believing that the freedom and opportunity symbolized by the flag are equally available to everyone, a young black woman becomes disillusioned by injustice. Drama, 26 min., VHS, dir: Linda Gibson.

Flying Ace, The (1926) - A melodrama in the blue skies. Features Dr. R.I. Brown and Kathryn Boyd in a Bessie Coleman style aviatrix role. Action, 56 min., VHS, dir: Richard Norman.

Folktale of Africa, A: Cow-Tail Switch (1981) - This animated African folktale tells the tale of a warrior who disappears while hunting, leaving his pregnant wife and fours sons behind. When the fifth son grows old enough, he convinces his other brothers to join him on a quest to find their father. Based on the book The Cow-Tail Switch, by Harold Courlander and George Herzog. 8 min., 16mm, dir: Steven Clark.

Folktales with Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1984) - When Fat Albert and the Gang find their televison isn't working anymore, they visit their neighbor/creator Bill Cosby. Bill reads them a tall tale about Paul Bunyan. Children, 15 min., 16mm., dir: Marsh Lamore.

Follow the North Star (1972) - A film about a young boy whose family is involved with the Underground Railroad smuggling Southern slaves to Canada prior to the Civil War. Originally aired as part of the ABC Afterschool Special television series. Documentary, 47 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

For Love of Ivy (1968) - A young and attractive black domestic worker, Ivy (Abbey Lincoln), is swept off her feet by a suave professional black gambler, Jack Parks, played by Sidney Poitier. Quincy Jones composed the music for this romantic comedy, which shows a white family doing everything possible to keep its "jewel" of a maid happy, including manipulating her life. Comedy, 99 min., 16mm, VHS, dir: Daniel Mann.

For the Love of an Eagle (1982) - A beautifully photographed documentary about a naturalist and her efforts to further the study of the African Black Eagle. Drama, 22 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

Foreign Student (1994) - Philippe Le Clerc (Marco Hofschneider), a French foreign exchange student, falls for black school teacher April (Robyn Givens) despite the fact that interracial relationships are taboo in 1955 Virginia. Charles S. Dutton plays Howlin' Wolf; Hinton Battle is Sonny Boy Williamson. Drama, 90 min., VHS, dir: Eva Sereny.

Fortune Dane (1986) - When a hit man brutally massacres nine people including a personal friend, Fortune Dane (Carl Weathers) demands justice. Drama, 83 min., VHS, dir: Nicholas Sgarro.

4 Little Girls (1997) - Spike Lee documents the infamous 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama where four young girls were killed on September 15, 1963, while attending Sunday School. Documentary, 102 min., VHS, DVD, dir: Spike Lee.

Four Women (1977) - Nina Simone's music is the basis for Dash's experimental film depicting the experiences of four black women. Choreographed and performed by Linda Young, the four roles trace the lives of black women from slavery to present. Dance, 10 min., 16mm, dir: Julie Dash.

48 Hours (1982) - Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy), who is doing time in prison for robbery, gets 48 hours out of jail, courtesy of policeman Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) who wants Reggie's help in apprehending a vicious escaped criminal with whom Reggie has unfinished business. The Busboys perform "The Boys are Back in Town." Action, 92 min., VHS, dir: Walter Hill.

Foxy Brown (1974) - When her boyfriend is murdered, a nurse (Pam Grier) sets out to get revenge on the killers and does. She ends up preying on the gangsters and dope pushers as well. Action, 94 min., DVD, dir: Jack Hill.

Fragments of Barbara McCullough (1980) - A montage of magic centered imagery, this work contains some of the footage from McCullough's Shopping Bags Spirits plus new material. Documentary, 11 min., VHS, dir: Barbara McCullough.

Framework for a Nation (1963) - This documentary is about the modernization and industrialization of Nigeria, specifically in Lagos. Documentary, 30 min., 16mm, dir: Philip Owtram.

Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask (1996) - Isaac Julien explores the political theories of Frantz Fanon, member of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN). Documentary, 69 min., VHS, dir: Isaac Julien.

Frederick Douglas: An American Life (1984) - This dramatization of the life of Douglass focuses on the person behind the public figure. Born a slave and entirely self-educated, Douglass played a critical role, as orator, writer, newspaper publisher, editor and political leader, in the struggle for the emancipation of the slaves, and also in the early women's rights movement. Drama, 30 min., VHS, dir: William Greaves.

French Way, The (1940) - A musical comedy about a nightclub performer playing cupid while trying to re-open her nightclub. Comedy, 72 min., VHS, dir: Jacques de Baroncelli.

Fresh (1994) - Twelve-year-old Fresh (Sean Nelson) is an intelligent and perceptive boy growing up in a world of poverty and violence, being raised by his Aunt, but still in contact with his father, Sam (Samuel L. Jackson). Fresh goes to work for Esteban (Giancarlo Esposito) a drug dealer, who also gets Fresh's sister Nicole (N'Bushe Wright) addicted to drugs. Fresh hatches a complex and audacious scheme to get himself and his sister out of their seemingly hopeless situation. Drama, 114 min., VHS, dir: Boaz Yakin.

Friends, The (1996) - A young West Indian girl, Phyllisia (Monica Calhoun), has problems adjusting to Harlem. She befriends Edith (Crystal Justine) but the problem becomes overcoming class differences. Set in the 1950s, the film is based on Rosa Guy's novel. Drama, 26 min., VHS, dir: Kathe Sandler.

From Cabin to Castle (1930) - The film traces the rise of the first African American woman millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker. Documentary, 60 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

From Sun Up (1987) - The film documents the lifes of African women in Tanzania. Documentary, 28 min., VHS, dir: Flora M'mbugu.

From These Roots (1974) - A narrated montage of black and white photos chronicles the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's through a description of its social and artistic leaders and major events. Documentary, 28 min., 16mm, dir: William Greaves.

Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker (1981) - "Fundi", Swahili for "Master of her Craft," is a title bestowed upon Baker by her admirers to honor her efforts as one of the leading female activists of the Civil Rights Movement. Through interviews with former SNCC and SCLC members, the story of her remarkable career is depicted. The film includes archival footage of the movement. Documentary, 46 min., 16mm, dir: Joanne Grant.

Futuresport (1998) - This film made its debut on cable television. Directed by renowned cinematographer Ernest Dickerson and set in the future, this film showcases the struggle between good and evil--in this instance, terrorists versus hot-shot athletes who use their world-famous sporting event as a means to resolve territorial disputes. Wesley Snipes in dreadlocks plays a pivotal role in this relatively popular film for which he also serves as executive producer. Vanessa Williams stars along with Dean Cain of Superman fame. Science Fiction, 89 min., VHS, dir: Ernest Dickerson.