"Mahogany" among empowered women in cinema - Black History Month feature

[Lulu]

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/02/_10_movies_that_empower_black_women.html

[smark21]

If you ignore the ending where she gives it all up and goes back to Chicago to support her man.

[Methuselah2]

Nothing says 'empowerment' quite like dripping hot wax from a burning candle all over one's body.

The movie is a hoot and a holler and extravagant and outrageous and hackneyed and, ultimately, a lot of fun. A triumph of star-power.

But socially relevant? I must have blinked and missed that part. I came away from the movie with only one bit of information:

Mascara rules!

[Jaap]

But socially relevant? I must have blinked and missed that part. I came away from the movie with only one bit of information:

Mascara rules!

Don't underestimate the cultural power of mascara! But seriously, the renowned academic journal American Quarterly recently published [[December 2012) an article about the social relevance of Mahogany. Written by Miriam Thaggert, not me! Interesting read for those who like to read academic texts. Also the books of Donald Bogle on African American film and on African American female superstars give some relevant interpretations of Mahogany, without turning it into art or a masterpiece.

Jaap

[supremester]

IMHO Tracy Chambers is definitely empowered. She eschewed the traditional female role of serving her man, left him, went on her own path to persue her interests and, after achieving what she set out to achieve, realized her success was empty alone. Not enjoying the life she thought she would, she returned to her bf on her own terms - not because that was her role as a woman or expected of her. She did it on her own terms and, while/after she finally helped get him elected to something, would certainly have kept her sketch pad, sewing kit and Singer machine busy.

[jobeterob]

Whether you like them or not, LSTB, Mahogany and especially The Wiz have made a lasting mark.

Two of the Ross movies, LSTB and Out of Darkness, featured remarkable acting.

For some reason, both Mahogany and The Wiz still appeal to audiences ~ especially The Wiz.

[skooldem1]

Three of Diana's movies have been on TV in the last week. Last weekend they showed LSTB and The Wiz back to back, on Centric I believe. Mahogany was played on a different African American station. Sure, not all African Americans like these movies, but for the most part, these movies are celebrated in the black community.

[supremester]

I know lots of people - half my age - of all colors - who love The Wiz. LOVE The Wiz. I haven't watched it straight through since it was in theatres. Once in 1990, there was a crowd of skaters outside a video store watching something through the window. This was in a white suburban mall. They were, to my shock, watching and digging The Wiz. Like Bill Sampson said, "It's art to someone.....somewhere."

[midnightman]

All of Diana's films with the exception of Double Platinum still get played on a regular basis on some film channels...

[skooldem1]

Double Platinum is the one that gets played the most after the Wiz- on the black networks.

[skooldem1]

Mahogany is on now on the Centric channel.

[Roberta75]

Mahogany is on now on the Centric channel.

Im praying that out of darkness get released on DVD. Diane Ross is a fabulous actress imo.

Roberta