Film series celebrates Black History Month

Film series celebrates Black History Month

Films about African-Americans are featured in the free film series “Our Heroes” in the Film Vault at the KC Central Library, 14 W. 10th. Programmed by area movie critic Shawn Edwards, the series screens at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays throughout February, Black History Month.

The schedule:

•“The Jackie Robinson Story” (Monday and Feb. 7): The man who broke baseball’s color barrier starred in his own movie biography.

•“Cornbread, Earl and Me” (Feb. 9 and 14): A 12-year-old Laurence Fishburne stars in this tale of a black community traumatized by the death of a local hero.

•“Greased Lightning” (Feb. 16 and 21): Richard Pryor stars as Wendell Scott, America’s first black race car driver.

•“The Great White Hope” (Feb. 23 and 28): James Earl Jones is Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champ.

In addition, Edwards will talk about “The Manifestation of the Black Hero on Screen” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the library.
Edwards’ new documentary, “Our Heroes: The 25 Best Black Sports Movies (Ever),” screens Feb. 28 at the Gem Theater.
Visit www.iloveblack movies.com for more information.