Explorations of the body as home, curated by IU Cinema guest programmer in residency Maya Cade of the Black Film Archive.

A Different Image | Directed by Alile Sharon Larkin: A highly acclaimed film, A Different Image is an extraordinary poetic portrait of a beautiful young African American woman attempting to escape becoming a sex object and to discover her true heritage. Through a sensitive and humorous story about her relationship with a man, the film makes provocative connections between racism and sexual stereotyping. The screenplay of A Different Image is published in Screenplays of the African American Experience, edited by Dr. Phyllis R. Klotman, founding director of the Black Film Center & Archive at Indiana University. [52 mins; drama; English]

“Extraordinary, a fresh and clear expression of an acute sensibility.” – Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Alma’s Rainbow | Directed by Ayoka Chenzira: 

New 4K Restoration

A coming-of-age comedy-drama about three African American women living in Brooklyn, Alma’s Rainbow explores the life of teenager Rainbow Gold (Victoria Gabrielle Platt) as she enters womanhood and navigates standards of beauty, self-image, and the rights women have over their bodies. Rainbow attends a strict parochial school, studies dance, and lives with her strait-laced mother Alma (Kim Weston-Moran), who runs a hair salon in the parlor of their home and disapproves of her daughter’s newfound interest in boys. When Alma’s free-spirited sister Ruby (Mizan Kirby) returns from Paris after a ten-year absence, the sisters clash over what constitutes the “proper” direction for Rainbow’s life. Alma’s Rainbow highlights a multi-layered Black women’s world where the characters live, love, and wrestle with what it means to exert and exercise their agency. [85 mins; comedy, drama; English]

“A gorgeous clarion call for our young Black girls, heralding the community, creativity and confidence that is the pride of our culture.” – Ava DuVernay

“Chenzira’s much celebrated and award-winning early work is essential viewing today as much as it  was when first released in 1994.” – Julie Dash

“An important filmmaker whose works inspire and celebrate the richness of Black culture.” – Ruby Dee

Home Is Where the Heart Is: Black Cinema’s Exploration of Home is generously supported by the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Black Philanthropy Circle.