Watch Black Mother

Black Mother is a documentary film directed by Khalik Allah that takes viewers on a poetic and fascinating journey through Jamaica's complex history, culture, and everyday life. Through stunning visual images, intimate interviews, and a mesmerizing soundtrack, the film explores the island's beauty and darkness, poverty and resilience, spirituality and violence, and the legacy of colonialism and slavery that still lingers in the present.

The film's title refers to both the maternal figure and the Earth itself, and it serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness between the people, the land, and the ancestors. The film is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of Jamaican society.

The first part is titled "Rebirth," and it introduces viewers to the landscapes and people of Jamaica, from the bustling streets of Kingston to the tranquil countryside. Through Allah's lens, we see the beauty and the ugliness of the island: the vibrant colors, the lush vegetation, the sun-kissed beaches, and the crumbling buildings, the garbage-filled gutters, the homeless people. The soundtrack is a mix of reggae, hip-hop, and ambient music that adds an emotional depth to the visuals.

The second part is titled "Precious Memories," and it delves into the spiritual and cultural practices of Jamaica. We meet Rasta elders, Obeah (witchcraft) practitioners, Christian preachers, and other religious figures who share their beliefs and experiences with us. We learn about the importance of ancestral heritage, the use of plants and herbs for healing and rituals, and the power of music and dance to express emotions and create community. We are also confronted with the violence that is part of Jamaican life, including gang warfare, police brutality, and domestic abuse.

The third part is titled "Redemption," and it focuses on the women of Jamaica, their struggles and their resilience. We meet mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who share their stories of poverty, violence, and discrimination, as well as their hopes and dreams for a better future. We are shown the importance of education and empowerment for girls and women, and the effects of globalization and tourism on the island's economy and culture.

Black Mother is a powerful and poetic film that defies easy categorization. It is part documentary, part art film, part social commentary, and part cultural celebration. Allah's cinematography is stunning, using light and color to create a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere that matches the mystical and spiritual elements of the film. The use of archival footage and still images adds a historical depth to the film, reminding us of the legacy of imperialism and slavery that still affects Jamaica today.

The film is not without its flaws, however. It can be uneven in its pacing and focus, and some segments go on too long or feel repetitive. The lack of subtitles for some of the Jamaican patois may also make it challenging for non-native speakers to follow the interviews.

Nevertheless, Black Mother is a unique and powerful cinematic experience that offers a glimpse into a world that is rarely represented in mainstream media. It is a film that challenges our preconceptions about Jamaica and invites us to see the country and its people in all their complexity and beauty. It is a film that honors the memory of the black mothers who have endured and survived against all odds, and who continue to inspire hope and resilience in their descendants.

Black Mother is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 86.