Submitted photo A scene from the movie “42” that celebrates the life of baseball trailblazer Jackie Robinson.
Hollywood sometimes puts culture and ethnicity in the spotlight in a grand way for a grand and significant story.
And organizers of the local Black History Month, working with YES Cinema, are capitalizing on that by presenting each Saturday free movies with Black history themes or notable Black directors, actors or producers during the month of February at the nonprofit cinema at 326 Jackson St. in d0owntown Columbus. Most weekends feature two flicks.
The list includes films that highlight huge figures in American history in general, such as Jackie Robinson in the acclaimed work “42” about Robinson becoming Major League Baseball’s first Black player.
Here is the list and schedule:
- 10:15 a.m. Feb 4: “42.” Facing open racism from all sides, Jackie Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence the critics for him.
- 10:45 a.m. Feb. 4: “Annie.” A Black foster child, who lives with her mean foster mom, sees her life change when business tycoon and New York City mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly veiled campaign move and takes her in.
- 10:15 a.m. Feb. 11: “Glory.” Robert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own Union Army and the Confederates.
- 10:45 a.m. Feb. 11: “Akeelah and the Bee.” A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee.
- 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18: “Devotion.” A pair of U.S. Navy fighter pilots, including a Black pilot, forge a powerful friendship and risk their lives during the Korean War and become some of the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.
- 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25: “Till.” In 1955, after Emmett Till is murdered in a brutal lynching, his mother vows to expose the racism behind the attack while working to have those involved brought to justice.
- 10:45 a.m. Feb. 25: “Pride.” A determined Black coach organizes a swim team for troubled teens at the Philadelphia Department of Recreation.
Information: yescinema.org
