'Is That Black Enough For You?!?' Screening and Panel Discussion to Explore Black Representation in Cinema

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival are hosting a film screening and discussion featuring big names in the world of cinema.

On Feb. 2, at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Elvis Mitchell, Emilio Estevez and tt stern-enzi will lead a discussion on the history of Black representation in cinema, following a screening of Mitchell's documentary, Is That Black Enough For You?!?

The film was written, directed and narrated by Mitchell, who has been a celebrated film critic, pop culture expert and radio host since the mid-90s. Is That Black Enough For You?!? debuted in 2022 and centers Black movie industry professionals and actors.

“Representation is revolution,” the film’s cover art reads.

The documentary mostly highlights cinema during the ’70s, how a group of artists changed the industry and culture during that time and features interviews from movie stars of that era like Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg and Harry Belafonte.

“Mitchell flexes his experience as a film critic to provide context to iconic films from the era and connect them to movements both in Hollywood and the nation as a whole,” according to a press release.

Joining Mitchell as panelists are artistic director of the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival and local film critic of 20-plus years, tt stern-enzi, and Estevez, who has starred in movies like The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club.

The acclaimed documentary received a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes’ “Tomatometer,” and was praised by The New York Times, Roger Ebert and Rolling Stone when it debuted. The documentary reveals how talented Black professionals created a movement in the '70s that began with the film industry and went on to heavily influence pop culture, in addition to creating a culture in itself.
“The on-screen crushing of Black hope was institutional,” Mitchell says in the film’s preview. Panelists will discuss what happened during the era to ignite hope and who the key players were in the movement. They will also consider the present and future of Black representation in cinema.

Tickets for the Is That Black Enough For You?!? screening and discussion are $10 for National Underground Railroad Freedom Center non-members and free for members. The event will be in the Harriet Tubman Theater on Feb. 2 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. For more information, visit freedomcenter.org.

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