I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

Writer James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House.

Director:

Raoul Peck

Writers:

James Baldwin (writings), Raoul Peck (scenario)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 29 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Narration (voice)
James Baldwin	...	Himself (archive footage)
Martin Luther King	...	Himself (archive footage)
Malcolm X	...	Himself (archive footage)
Medgar Evers	...	Himself (archive footage)
Robert F. Kennedy	...	Himself (archive footage)
Harry Belafonte	...	Himself (archive footage)
Paul Weiss	...	Himself (archive footage)
Dick Cavett	...	Himself (archive footage)
H. Rap Brown	...	Himself - Black Panther Party (archive footage)
Bob Dylan	...	Himself (archive footage)
Leander Perez	...	Himself - White Citizens Council (archive footage)
Sidney Poitier	...	Various Roles (archive footage)
Ray Charles	...	Himself (archive footage)
Doris Day	...	Various Roles (archive footage)

Storyline

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.

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Plot Keywords:

malcolm x | police brutality | african american | racism | archive footage | 

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Taglines:

In "Remember This House" Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished -a radical narration about race in America, through the lives and assassinations of three of his friends: Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcolm X. using only the writer's original words.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing violent images, thematic material, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Instagram

Country:

Switzerland France Belgium USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

17 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Remember This House

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$686,378, 3 February 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$7,120,626, 2 June 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte France, Independent Lens, RTBF (Télévision belge)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

I Am Not Your Negro was one of 15 films included on the shortlist for the best feature documentary Oscar.

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Quotes

James Baldwin: For a very long time, America prospered. This prosperity cost millions of people their lives. Now, not even the people who are the most spectacular recipients of the benefits of this prosperity are able to endure these benefits. They can neither understand them nor do without them. Above all, they cannot imagine the price paid by their victims, or subjects, for this way of life, and so they cannot afford to know why the victims are revolting. This is the formula for a nation or a kingdom ...
[...]

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Connections

Features No Way Out (1950)

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Soundtracks

Big Road Blues
Written by Tommy Johnson
© Peer International Corporation
Courtesy of Société d'Editions Musicales Internationales (S.E.M.I.), Paris
Performed by Tommy Johnson
Originally Recorded at The Memphis Auditorium, Memphis, TN, USA, 1928.
1991 Remastered
Produced by Billy Altman
Digital Producer John Snyder At BMG Recording Studios
Digital Engineer Jay Newland At BMG Recording Studios/ Joe Lopes At BMG Recording Studios
Transferred to digital tape from metal parts by Be Bernardo Cosachev At BMG Recording Studios
All rights reserved by BMG Music

User Reviews

The Truth right in your face

This film is a brilliant, no-holds-barred depiction of the TRUTH as it happened and was experienced by one of the most brilliant talents the world has ever known. There is good reason that it has been nominated for an Academy Award.

Do expect to be disturbed because racism, sexism, and the effects of an evil regime are always disturbing -- such as current events continue to horrify "human beings" on a regular basis. However, for the person with evolved, emotional intelligence, being disturbed sparks powerful thoughts and action with higher consciousness.

It is to be expected that those who are comfortable avoiding racial and racist truths will be upset by this poignant documentary. They will do everything from claiming that this is hate-mongering to insisting that the film-making itself is substandard. It is true that the racist will always attempt to claim righteousness and "caring" by casting aspersions on the works of others to avoid facing his/her own truth. As Octavia Spencer's character said to Kirsten Dunst's in HIDDEN FIGURES: "I'm sure you believe that."

How you respond to this film is an opportunity to evolve what you don't know and what you already (believe you) do know. The choice is always yours to think, to grow, to communicate, to evolve -- or not.

This documentary is a wonderful opportunity to not only see the world and life through the eyes of a genius, but to see your views of your life and world right now.