The screenings will be at Southsea Community Cinema in Palmerston Road, Southsea, with many of the films accompanied by guest speakers.
PFS’s director Aysegul Epengin said: ‘We are so grateful for the support we received from many organizations. We have been running this diverse program continually over the last 10 years. The Covid-19 Pandemic arrived causing disruption to our normal programming. We are delighted to revisit this lapsed season and continue to be a part of the BFI Film audience strategies.’
The season is supported by the University of Portsmouth, Film Hub Southwest (BFI FAN), and the New Black Film Collective, a nationwide network of film exhibitors, educators and programmers of Black representation on screen.
2022 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SEASON
Thursday 6th October 7pm
In the Heat of the Night (1967) cert 15
Sidney Poitier’s first appearance as detective Virgil Tibbs investigating a murder in the Deep South, alongside the defensive local sheriff played by Rod Steiger. Directed by Norman Jewison, with jazzy score by Quincy Jones, and photographed by Oscar winner Haskell Wexler. Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor (Steiger).
Sunday 9th October 1pm
The Harder They Come (1972) Supported by University of Portsmouth
Gritty Jamaican crime film starring Jimmy Cliff, with groundbreaking reggae soundtrack. Described as “possibly the most influential of Jamaican films and one of the most important films from the Caribbean”. Guest speaker: Charmaine Simpson BSc (Hons) Econ, Chief Executive Officer of Black History Studies
11th October 7pm
The Stuart Hall Project (2013) cert 12 Supported by University of Portsmouth
Documentary telling the story of cultural theorist Stuart Hall, who appeared on the British radio and television for more than 50 years and spent his whole career exploring how social change makes sense of who we are, what we are entitled to and what society makes available to us. Hall emerges as ‘a calm figure who insists on the fundamental topic of equality’.
12th October 7pm and 16th October 6pm cert 15
Queen of Glory (2021)
A comedy drama set in the Bronx, New York City, it depicts a Ghanaian-American scientist who inherits a Christian from her deceased mother. Written and directed by, and starring, Nana Mensah.
Friday 21st October 7pm
Mississippi Burning (1988) Cert 18
A historical crime film directed by Alan Parker based on a 1964 murder investigation. Stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers, who are met with hostility by local residents, police, and the Klu Klux Klan.
Tuesday 25th October 7pm
Summer of Soul (Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021) cert 12
Supported by University of Portsmouth
An American documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Winner of ‘best documentary’ several awards, and a Grammy for ‘Best Music Film’.
Sunday 30th October 3pm
Surprise Film for Black History Month (2020) cert 15
Actress Regina King’s electrifying directorial debut. An imagined conversation between young black trailblazers Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke when they met in 1964 speaks powerfully to the present. Guest speaker: Aysegul Epengin, Director of Portsmouth Film Society, PhD candidate, The University of Portsmouth
Nope (2022)
Tuesday 15th November 7pm – second screening day 24th November 7pm
Two siblings who run a California horse ranch discover something wonderful and sinister in the skies above, and the owner of an adjacent theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon. Guest speaker: Yvonne Howard, Interim Director of Race and Equality, The University of Portsmouth
Neptune Frost (2022)
Sunday 20th November 6pm
Two siblings who run a California horse ranch discover something wonderful and sinister in the skies above, and the owner of an adjacent theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon. Guest speaker: Brother Hakim, The Film Doctor / Black Star Line.
Click here to find out more about the upcoming films- https://www.portsmouthfilmsociety.org.uk/blackhistroymonth-season/