Black Film Center/Archive

I Am Somebody (1970) - The story of the successful hospital workers' strike of 1969 in Charleston, South Carolina, is documented. Interviewed are many of the strikers attempting to form an AFL-CIO affiliation as well as national figures like Ralph Abernathy (SCLC), Leon David (New York local 1199), and Coretta King. Documentary, 30 min., DVD, dir: Madeline Anderson.

I Be Done Been Was Is (1984) - A documentary on black comediennes, it includes clips of their performances and interviews designed to reveal their unique experiences in a profession that is not hospitable to Blacks or women. Documentary, 60 min, VHS, dir: Debra Robinson.

I Can Do it Myself (1984) - Fat Albert makes friends with Wheeler, a disabled child who uses a wheelchair. Fat Albert and the gang learn that people with disabilities can do many things just as well, or better, than they can. Drama, 15 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

I Is a Long-Memoried Woman (1990) - The film chronicles the history of slavery through the eyes of Caribbean women through a combination of dance, poetry, and music. Based on the poetry of Guyanese-British author Grace Nichols. Drama, 50 min., VHS, dir: Frances-Anne Solomon.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979) - Adapted from Maya Angelou's autobiography, the story is about a spirited and gifted, but poor, black girl growing up in the South in the 1930s. It shows how she grew up experiencing prejudice, family difficulties, and a relationship with a teacher who taught her to respect books, learning, and herself. Drama, 96 min., VHS, dir: Fielder Cook.

I Like it Like That (1994) - Lisette (Lauren Velez), and her husband Chino (Jon Seda) are a young hispanic couple with three children. Chino goes to jail for looting during a blackout and Lisette takes a job with a music company. Comedy, 106 min., VHS, dir: Darnell Martin.

I Remember Harlem: The Depression Years (1980) - The second program in the series that traces the early history of Harlem over three centuries covers the depression years. Documentary, 58 min., 16mm, dir: William Miles.

I Remember Harlem: The Early Years (1980) - The first of four programs traces the history of African Americans and other ethnic groups arriving and surviving over three centuries in Harlem. Documentary, 58 min., 16mm, dir: William Miles.

I Remember Harlem: Toward a New Day (1980) - The last program in the series that traces the rise, decline and regeneration of Harlem over three centuries. Documentary, 58 min., 16mm, dir: William Miles.

I Remember Harlem: Toward Freedom (1980) - The third program in the series that traces the early history of Harlem over three centuries, covers the 1940s to 1965. Documentary, 58 min., 16mm, dir: William Miles.

Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice (1989) - This documentary provides an in-depth examination of the life of journalist Ida B. Wells from her birth in the South to her life as a successful journalist in Chicago. Rare photos and readings from her autobiography help to document her rise as a prominent civil rights leader. Documentary, 53 min., VHS, dir: William Greaves.

Identity Crisis (1989) - Chilly D. (Mario Van Peebles) constantly switches personalities: sometimes he's a rapper and sometimes he's a famous clothing designer. Both identities prove to be problematic for him. Comedy, 98 min., VHS, dir: Melvin Van Peebles.

Illusions (1982) - Julie Dash's film is set in Hollywood in 1942. Mignon (Lonette McKee) works in that illusory world where she is mistaken for white and knows that if her race were known, she would never have been hired at National Pictures. What she learns about herself and how she deals with the power behind the illusion is the essence of the film. Rosanne Katon plays the black singer Esther Jeeter who dubs for the white star. Drama, 34 min., 16mm, VHS, dir: Julie Dash.

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) - In this satire of 1970s blaxploitation films, Keenen Ivory Wayans plays Jack Spade, an Army veteran who returns home to avenge the death of his brother, who died because he wore too many gold chains. Jack Slade (Bernie Casey), Spade's childhood hero, helps shut down gold-chain pusher Mr. Big (John Vernon). Antonio Fargas plays Flyguy; Steve James is Kung Fu Joe; Isaac Hayes is Hammer; Jim Brown is Slammer; and Ja'net DuBois plays Ma Bell. Comedy, 88 min., VHS, dir: Keenen Ivory Wayans.

Images and Reflections: Celebration of a Masterpiece (1999) - This documentary chronicles the story of Donald McKayle's 1959 dance production of "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder." It includes interviews with people who were involved in the production as well as a look at the sequel, "Rainbow Etude." Documentary, 50 min., VHS, dir: Peter Etnoyer.

Imani: Beegie and the Egg (1976) - Children, 7 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

Imitation of Life (1934) - This film deals with the problem of a light-skinned black girl who, because she resents being treated as an inferior, makes a desperate bid to pass for white. Fredi Washington plays the "tragic Mulatto," Louise Beavers her mother, Delilah, who makes her employer Claudette Colbert rich by giving her the secret of her pancake flour. Drama, 106 min., 16mm, VHS, dir: John M. Stahl.

Imitation of Life (1959) - A remake of the 1934 version of Fannie Hurst's novel features Susan Kohner, a white actress, in the role of the young mulatto who tries to pass for white. Black actress Fredi Washington played the role in the earlier film. Juanita Moore plays the rejected mother who becomes the maid of aspiring and struggling actress Lora Meredith (Lana Turner). Mahalia Jackson performs at the heartbroken, black mother's funeral. Drama, 124 min., VHS, dir: Douglas Sirk.

In God We Trust (1980) - Marty Feldman plays Brother Ambrose, a naive monk who tries to raise money for his monastery. In robe and sandals, Ambrose solicits funds from Armageddon T. Thunderbird (Andy Kaufman), TV evangelist, who makes Ambrose a partner in his Church of Divine Profit. Richard Pryor, as God, is the target of Ambrose's prayers for assistance. Comedy, 97 min., VHS, dir: Marty Feldman.

In Living Color: Season 1 (1990) - Season one of the hit television series "In Living Color." Television Series, 299 min., DVD, dir: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Paul Miller, Terri McCoy.

In Living Color: Season 2 (1990) - Season two of the hit television series "In Living Color." Television Series, 587 min., DVD, dir: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Paul Miller, Terri McCoy.

In Medical Science (1997) - Bill Jenkins and Walter Williams, black epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, discuss their field and the professional opportunities which medical research offers to minorities. Documentary, 30 min., VHS, dir: Rex Barnett.

In Motion: Amiri Baraka (1982) - Amiri Baraka talks about his early days in Greenwich Village and his present literary and political activities. The film focuses on the final two weeks before his sentencing at federal court on the charges of resisting arrest. Documentary, 58 min., VHS, dir: St. Clair Bourne.

In My Country (2004) - This film is based on a book by South African author Antjie Krog. African American journalist Langston Whitfield (Samuel L. Jackson) covers the hearings of the South African governmental Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which the perpetrators of racial crimes during the apartheid era face their victims to be forgiven. Whitfield interviews Colonel De Jager (Brendan Gleeson), a former supporter of apartheid. In the meantime, Whitfield falls in love with Anna Malan (Juliette Binoche), an Afrikaner poet and journalist. Drama, 100 min., DVD, dir: John Boorman.

In the Absence of Peace (1988) - Documentary, 54 min., DVD, dir: Michael T. Martin.

In the Heat of the Night (1967) - Drama of racial hatred and prejudice set in a litle Mississippi town. This is the first of the Virgil Tibbs series with Sidney Poitier as the smart Yankee detective, Rod Steiger as the southern sheriff with limited intelligence and unlimited prejudice. Music by Quincy Jones; Ray Charles sings the title song. Drama, 109 min., 16mm, VHS, dir: Norman Jewison.

In This Our Life (1942) - Adaptation of Ellen Glasgow's novel in which the "wicked" sister Stanley Timberlake (Bette Davis) makes off with the "good" sister's (Olivia de Havilland) husband. Other deeds include an accident (hit-and-run) in which she implicates Parry (Ernest Anderson), the decent educated young black son of Minerva Clay (Hattie McDaniel), long-time family domestic. A few memorable scenes with Minerva and Parry, whose career as an aspiring lawyer is almost aborted. Drama, 97 min., VHS, dir: John Huston.

In Too Deep (1999) - "God" (L.L. Cool J), as his nickname suggests, is a powerful crime boss. Police detective Jeffrey Cole (Omar Epps) infiltrates "God's" underworld empire with the intention to destroy it, but it turns out that it is easier to enter into the kingdom of "God" than to get out of it. Drama, 95 min., VHS, dir: Michael Rymer.

Incognito (1999) - Erin Cortland (Allison Dean) has been raped and her attacker, Derek Scanlon (Phil Morris), continues to stalk her. Erin’s fiancé, Quinn Mathis (Roger Guenveur Smith), is too weak to help her, so her father hires a bodyguard, Jake Hunter (Richard T. Jones). Drama, 95 min., DVD, dir: Julie Dash.

Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995) - Randy (Laurel Holloman) is a frolicsome tomboy mechanic who lives with her lesbian aunt and accidentally meets a fellow teen, Evie (Nicole Ari Parker), with both a Range Rover and an attitude. Despite their differnces, they become the best of friends and eventually realize that there can only be one explanation for their feelings toward one another--they're in love. Girl-meets-girl in this tender tale of first love between two high school seniors. Comedy, 94 min., VHS, dir: Maria Maggenti.

Indian Whoopee (1956) - Woody Woodpecker cartoon. Comedy, 10 min., 16mm, dir: Walter Lantz.

Inkwell, The (1994) - The film focuses on a young teenager, Drew (Larenz Tate), who after setting fire to his parents' (Joe Morton and Suzzanne Douglas) garage in Brooklyn, is taken to spend time with relatives (Mary Alice, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Glynn Turman, Duane Martin) on Inkwell Beach at Martha's Vineyard. Yvonne Stickney plays an island psychiatrist who allows Drew to learn about himself. Drama, 112 min., VHS, dir: Matty Rich.

Inspired by the Past, A Vision for the Future (1997) - This short documentary explores the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and its mission. Documentary, 11 min., VHS, dir: n/a.

International Sweethearts of Rhythm, The (1986) - Through interviews with surviving members of the "Sweethearts" and their fans, as well as clips of their performances, this documentary tells the story of a unique group of multi-racial female musicians. Their experiences reflect the social attitudes of the 1940s toward gender and race. Documentary, 30 min., VHS, dir: Greta Schiller & Andrea Weiss.

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) - Adapted from Earl Mill's biography, "Dorothy Dandridge," Halle Berry stars as Dorothy Dandridge, screen star of the 1940s and 50s. Dandridge was the first African American woman to be nominated for the Academy Awards Best Actress category for her portrayal in Carmen Jones. Drama, 115 min., DVD, dir: Martha Coolidge.

Intruder in the Dust (1949) - Racial and social resentments are revealed in this story of a barely averted lynching in a small Southern town. Even more it is the story of Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez), a black man who would rather be lynched for a crime he didn't commit than give up his dignity. Drama, 87 min., 16mm, dir: Clarence Brown.

Intruder, The (1961) - Concerns a racist rabole rouser who goes to a small Southern town and arouses the townspeople against integration in the local schools. Charles Barnes plays Joey Green, the young man, who is almost a lynch victim. Also released under the titles: I Hate Your Guts!, Shame, and The Stranger (UK). Drama, 83 min., DVD, dir: Roger Corman.

Island in the Sun (1957) - The Fleurys, an old colonial family in the West Indies, are caught up in a political scandal when it's discovered that the family has mixed blood. A conflict thus arises between factions for power: the black (Harry Belafonte) and the apparently white (James Mason). The murder of an Englishman and interracial affairs contribute to the complexity of relationships in the film. The Dorothy Dandridge and John Justin affair works out, the Belafonte and Joan Fontaine affair does not. Drama, 119 min., 16mm, VHS, dir: Robert Rossen.