Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People (2014)

A film that explores how African American communities have used the camera as a tool for social change from the invention of photography to the present. This epic tale poetically moves ... See full summary »

Director:

Thomas Allen Harris

Writers:

Thomas Allen Harris, Don Perry

Stars:

Arthé Anthony, Anthony Barboza, Hugh Bell

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Arthé Anthony	...	Self
Anthony Barboza	...	Self
Hugh Bell	...	Self
David G. Berger	...	Self
Dawoud Bey	...	Self
Sheila Pree Bright	...	Self
Marcus Bruce	...	Self
Michael Chambers	...	Self
Albert Chong	...	Self
Lisa Gail Collins	...	Self
Bridget Cooks	...	Self
Adger W. Cowans	...	Self
Renee Cox	...	Self
C. Daniel Dawson	...	Self
Jonathan Eubanks	...	Self

Storyline

A film that explores how African American communities have used the camera as a tool for social change from the invention of photography to the present. This epic tale poetically moves between the present and the past, through contemporary photographers and artists whose images and stories seek to reconcile legacies of pride and shame while giving voice to images long suppressed, forgotten, and hidden from sight.

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Genres:

Documentary | Family | History

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User Reviews

An extraordinary documentary and photographic odyssey

Thank you Thomas Allen Harris. I saw your film last night and the theatre was packed with an incredibly diverse crowd of native people, black and white folk, students, educators, an Italian playwright, old couples, interracial couples, lgbt community, elders... people sighing, cringing, crying, sitting on the edge of their seats, eyes transfixed to the screen. This is an extraordinary documentary. Shifting the gravitational field and critical frame of how we see ourselves and our shared history. An excavation of countless unseen images and unacknowledged photographers, a massive archive from the Civil War, Reconstruction and Civil Rights eras...It was so heart-felt. So brave. Raw. Tender. Vulnerable. Relentless. It's challenging to articulate everything I felt while watching this film. But I just want to thank you for opening your journey to us. For creating epiphanies in our eyes, hearts and minds. For weaving together so many lost stories and lives. For your ambition, passion and breathtaking skill. For illuminating the invisible, unseen and unheard.

Details

Official Sites:

First Run Features [United States] Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,456, 31 August 2014

Gross USA:

$65,169

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,169

Company Credits

Production Co:

K Period Media, Through a Lens Darkly

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color Black and White