Blackface and Hollywood(2019)

Blackface and Hollywood is a documentary that traces the troubling history of blackface performance in cinema from the silent era through the mid-20th century. The film examines how Hollywood adopted minstrel show traditions, using darkened makeup to portray Black characters—a practice that reinforced racist stereotypes and deeply harmed Black representation on screen. Through expert commentary, the documentary explores the cultural and systemic damage of these performances and their lasting impact on how Black people have been depicted in film. By confronting this painful chapter in cinema history, Blackface and Hollywood illuminates why these practices were harmful and how they shaped entertainment's relationship with race for generations.