Watch Light Girls

Light Girls is a 2015 documentary film that explores colorism within the African American community. The film, directed by Bill Duke, is a follow-up to his previous documentary Dark Girls, which addressed the experiences of dark-skinned black women. This time around, Duke focuses on the experiences of women with lighter skin tones. The film features interviews with a variety of women, including actresses, musicians, and journalists, who discuss their experiences with colorism. Erica Hubbard, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, and Kim Osorio are among the women interviewed. They share their personal stories of being teased, bullied, or even fetishized because of their lighter skin tone.

Through their stories, the film explores the complex and often painful relationships that exist within the black community based on skin color. Lighter-skinned women have historically been viewed as more desirable and privileged within black society, but this privilege often comes with a price. The film delves into the deep emotional scars that colorism can leave, including feelings of rejection, self-doubt, and isolation.

The film also addresses the impact of colorism on society at large, including the media's portrayal of black women. It examines how mainstream media often portrays lighter-skinned black women as the standard of beauty, while darker-skinned women are marginalized or excluded altogether. This message is reinforced through advertising, movies, television shows, and even within the music industry. The documentary highlights the importance of challenging these damaging representations and creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

Throughout the film, Duke skillfully weaves together powerful interviews with nuanced narration and stunning visuals. The documentary is beautifully shot and features compelling images that reinforce the film's themes. The haunting score, composed by Lili Haydn, adds an emotional depth to the film that resonates long after the credits roll.

One of the most striking aspects of Light Girls is the raw honesty of the interviews. The women featured in the film speak candidly about their experiences with colorism and the impact it has had on their lives. They share stories of feeling like they don't belong, or being told they are not "black enough" by their peers. Many of the women also discuss the pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards, including straightening their hair or avoiding the sun.

Despite the sensitivity of the subject matter, Light Girls is an empowering film that offers hope and inspiration. The women featured in the film are all strong, resilient, and determined to challenge the damaging effects of colorism. They offer a message of self-love and acceptance that resonates with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

Overall, Light Girls is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary that sheds light on an important and often overlooked issue. The film sparks a much-needed conversation about the impact of colorism on our society and offers an important reminder that beauty comes in all shades.

Light Girls is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.