7 Documentaries About Black Women Creatives Who Exemplified Greatness In The Arts

Shirley Bassey, one of the top Black female artists

Source: United Archives / Getty

There’s a reason the trope of the starving artist persists. Making a name for one’s self – and then making a living – as an artist is just shy of impossible. Only a tiny percentage of those who strike out to do so will make it. The odds are stacked against all creatives, and you can triple the size of that stack for Black female artists.

The incredible Black women who have pushed through in industries that were anything but welcoming to them show some of the greatest perseverance and faith a human can demonstrate. Lucky for us, some documentary makers have recognized the importance of these individuals and set out to tell the stories of these incredible women.

From comedians to writers to ballet dancers, a handful of Black women have truly exemplified greatness in the arts. For Black History Month, here are seven inspiring documentaries to watch about Black female artists and creatives.

What Happened Miss Simone?

Watch on Netflix.

Pulling in a strong 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, What Happened Miss Simone? tells the fascinating and often heartbreaking story of Eunice Kathleen Waymon, known by her stage name Nina Simone. Simone was a singer, songwriter and civil rights activist whose music spanned many genres including pop, gospel, jazz and R&B.

She took a deep dive into politics – and into what turned out to be turbulent waters – which the documentary explores, along with the trauma and abuse in her life that inspired her powerful music. The documentary features some never-before-seen footage of Miss Simone and paints an intimate portrait of a tortured soul and artistic genius.

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A Ballerina’s Tale

Watch it on Amazon Prime.

In 2015, after 75 years of performances, the American Ballet Theater would promote their very first Black female dancer to the position of principal dancer. That woman was Misty Copeland. This documentary gives an inside look at the brutally competitive world of ballet, as well as a history of Copeland’s life, including her struggles growing up in a welfare motel. It’s a moving documentary about relentlessness and rising to the top in a field where there were no mentors or role models who looked like Copeland or understood her experiences. Today, Copeland is that mentor for young Black dancers.

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Beba

Watch on YouTube.

Beba is a unique documentary because it is autobiographical. It is the first feature film that filmmaker Rebeca “Bebe” Huntt ever made, and it gained instant rave reviews. In this documentary, Huntt takes an unflinching look at the generational trauma in her family. She begins with her childhood experiences of being raised by a Dominican father and a Venezuelan mother in New York City. It’s an intimate exploration of generational trauma and the universal human need for connection. It combines a compelling story and important themes with what can only be described as artistic cinematography.

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Maya Angelou: And I Still Rise

Watch it on Amazon Prime.

Maya Angelou: And I Still Rise received a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and for good reason. This is the first full-length film made about the legendary poet and activist and serves as a tribute to her legacy. It features rare footage and images of Angelou, untold stories about her upbringing and activism and interviews with notable individuals who were close to her, including Quincy Jones and Hillary Clinton. Starting with her childhood in the depression-era South and making its way through her work with Malcolm X, it tells the complete story of one of the most important Black thinkers of our time.

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Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth

Watch on Vimeo.

Alice Walker was the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her novel The Color Purple. But there is a lot more to learn about this bold and passionate writer and political activist. This documentary took home several awards for Best Documentary Film at multiple festivals including the African Diaspora International Film Festival and the Napa Valley Film Festival. It takes a close look at Walker’s life, beginning in her childhood on a plantation in Georgia. The film continues through her years as a student when she listened to Martin Luther King Jr. speak live. Walker was was motivated to get involved in activism after hearing King speak. The film then moves into her later years when she created some of her most notable works.

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The Real Shirley Bass

Watch it on YouTube.

You might know Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey’s voice from the theme songs for the James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Moonraker. But before this documentary, not much was known about the singer whose voice has graced some of the greatest silver screen productions in history. This film tells the life story of Dame Bassey and her rise to fame, including when she became the first Welsh person to get a number one single. It features interviews with notable individuals who knew and worked with her, and tells the amazing story of a bold woman going into spaces Black women hadn’t been before.

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Moms Mabley: I Got Something To Tell You

Watch it on HBO Max.

Moms Mabley is a comedic icon who boldly entered a career in stand-up comedy at a time almost no other Black woman did. Directed by another comedic mastermind Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary demonstrates how Mabley created a pathway into comedy for other Black women. It features interviews with the likes of Eddie Murphy and Kathy Griffin and reveals discovered footage of Mabley, giving a more intimate look into her life off stage.

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