Over the years, Black female filmmakers have painted a vision of cinema settings revealing stories that have yet to be told. From New York to Dakar, these locations have served as hosts to some of cinema’s most moving and influential stories. Directors like Ava DuVernay, Dee Rees, and Gina Prince-Bythewood have breathed life into these settings. They have added soul and personality to these film locations beyond mere scenery. Traveling through these places allows us to connect with these narratives that move people around the globe. By doing so, we also pay tribute to the creativity of Black women in cinema.
1. Zimbabwe and England – “A Dry White Season” by Euzhan Palcy
While Euzhan Palcy hails from Martinique, her groundbreaking work in “A Dry White Season” brought the harsh realities of apartheid-era South Africa to the global stage. The 1989 drama features Donald Sutherland in the role of Ben du Toit. du Toi, a white educator, gets involved in the resistance movement following the horrible police brutality of his gardener’s son. Despite a South African setting, much of the filming occurred in Zimbabwe and England’s Pinewood Studios. This choice was likely due to the political climate of the time. Filming in apartheid-era South Africa would have been fraught with challenges.
2. California, Georgia, and Spain – “Love & Basketball” by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “Love & Basketball” is a poignant romantic sports film depicting love and professional ambition. It stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as Monica Wright and Quincy McCall. The two are Los Angeles childhood neighbors whose love of basketball helps them overcome obstacles in life and win each other’s hearts. Filming occurred in California, Georgia, and Spain, with significant scenes shot in Los Angeles County, the primary set. Additionally, pivotal sequences were captured in Atlanta, utilizing the facilities of the Tyler Perry Studios. The film also features the city of Barcelona, with its iconic Plaça d’Espanya serving as a prominent shooting site.
3. Brooklyn, New York – “Pariah” by Dee Rees
“Pariah” is a captivating drama directed by Dee Rees that premiered in 2011. The film is a profound exploration of identity, telling the story of Alike. This 17-year-old African American girl struggles with her sexual identity in the face of familial and societal pressures. The story is set in Brooklyn, New York, and was filmed primarily in Fort Greene. This location is essential to the plot since it represents the diverse community in which Alike’s journey unfolds. The streets and homes of Fort Greene express both Alike’s support and the problems she endures. Moreover, the choice of filming location adds a layer of realism to the film, grounding Alike’s experiences in a recognizable and relatable setting.
4. South Central, Los Angeles – “Middle of Nowhere” by Ava DuVernay
The 2012 independent drama “Middle of Nowhere,” directed by Ava DuVernay, follows Ruby, a nurse from Compton, California. The film chronicles Ruby’s inner turmoil as she sacrifices her aspirations to be there for her husband, Derek, while he is in prison. All of the filming—which lasted nineteen days—took place in South Los Angeles, California, to disprove preconceived notions about the neighborhood. Key scenes were shot in Compton, Inglewood, Leimert Park, and East Los Angeles. “Middle of Nowhere” makes the most of the evocative locations of Los Angeles to bring Ruby’s story to life.
5. Dakar, Senegak – “Atlantics” by Mati Diop
“Atlantics,” directed by Mati Diop, is a 2019 supernatural romantic drama that marks her feature directorial debut. With the film’s selection to the Palme d’Or competition at the Cannes Film Festival, Diop became the first Black woman to helm a picture featured in the festival’s official selection. The narrative revolves around Ada and her lover, Souleiman, who is among the construction workers unpaid for months and who decide to seek a better future in Spain. The film explores love, class struggle, migration, and the supernatural as the spirits of the men lost at sea return to possess the living in Dakar. Set in Senegal, Dakar, there is a clear contrast between the new tower’s futuristic ambitions and the old-fashioned way of life in the cityscape.
