Top 7 Most Anticipated Black Directed Films For 2015

While Empire and Black-ish have made huge splashes on television this year, there have not been many film projects by Black directors. This is set to change as the second half of this year approaches—several black directors are poised to deliver great film fare across several genres. The seven films below should be on every Black cinema lover’s radar. Dope After stimulating audiences at Sundance and Cannes, Dope is positioned to transform those good vibrations into box office success. Dope follows the lives of three hip-hop nerds who become involved with a local drug dealer. This film tugs at the heart strings of rap traditionalists, acting as a love letter to the golden age of hip-hop in the early nineties. Dope features an ensemble cast including Shameik Moore, Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky and Kiersey Clemons. Rick Famuyiwa directs this slice of hip-hop nostalgia. Release Date: 6/19 Fresh Dressed Fashion and hip-hop have always influenced each other. While this seems obvious, director Sacha Jenkins documents how urban fashion rose and infiltrated every fiber of American society. This film looks at the length many music artists went in their youth to look cool and how this desire created a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Fresh Dressed features interviews from prominent artist such as Nas, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. Release Date: 6/26 Southpaw Antoine Fuqua has been on a roll as of late. He’s scored box office hits with Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer. However, his latest endeavor is more of a passion project. This long gestating film follows widowed boxer Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal). He reconnects with his former trainer (Forest Whitaker) after losing custody of his daughter. Fuqua has proven to be a maestro when it comes to directing action sequences. With him at the helm, the boxing sequences should be a sight to behold. Release Date: 7/24 Lila & Eve Grief and revenge are such innate and unique emotions. Exploring these emotions always makes for a powerful movie. Lila (Viola Davis) is the grieving mother of a murdered son. With no solace coming from his investigation, Lila turns to a support group, and meets a kindred spirit in Eve (Jennifer Lopez). Eve encourages Lila to seek revenge. Charles Stone III directs this character study. Release Date: 7/31 Straight Outta Compton There’s been a long wait for this biopic about the rise and fall of revolutionary rap group N.W.A. The trailer indicates a special payoff. Unlike most traditional biopics, there’s a rawer and honest feeling to this project. Original N.W.A members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube are producing. Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., plays his father, and it’s directed by long time Ice Cube collaborator, F. Gary Gray. Release Date: 8/14 Captive David Oyelowo produces and stars in this fact-based thriller. Captive follows Brian Nichols rampage through Atlanta and his kidnapping of Ashley Smith (Kate Mara). It’s hard to believe it’s already been ten years, but recent high-profile events questioning police procedures brings this story back to relevance. Captive also stars Michael K. Williams. Release Date: 9/18 Creed Ryan Coogler’s follow-up to his excellent Fruitvale Station is a reboot of the Rocky series. He also reteams with Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan. The plot follows Apollo’s son Adonis (Jordan) as he seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallion) to train him as a boxer. Warner Bros. is releasing this film in the heart of awards season; this speaks volumes about its potential. Release Date: 11/25 These offerings are just the tip of the iceberg. The success of these films will continue to open up opportunities for Black filmmakers and talent.

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