2008 52 min 978-1-932869-10-1 This film has subtitles

English

The Souls of Black Girls

Media Images of Beauty & the Self-Esteem of African-American Women

Synopsis

Filmmaker Daphne Valerius's award-winning documentary The Souls of Black Girls explores how media images of beauty undercut the self-esteem of African-American women. Valerius surveys the dominant white, light-skinned, and thin ideals of beauty that circulate in the culture, from fashion magazines to film and music video, and talks with African-American girls and women about how these images affect the way they see themselves. The film also features powerful commentary from rapper and activist Chuck D, actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS news anchor Gwen Ifill, cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis, and others.

The Souls of Black Girls has screened at hundreds of universities and organizations around the country, and earned Valerius the Rising Female Filmmaker Award at the Harlem Int'l Film Festival. In 2015, it aired on ASPIRE TV in association with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, earning Valerius a trip to the White House as an invited guest of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Featuring Interviews With:
Darlise Blount, Producer
Chuck D, Rapper/Political Activist
Michaela Angela Davis, Cultural Critic
Dr. Lez Edmond, African-American Historian
Pamela Edwards, ESSENCE
C’Nay Hines, BET
Gwen Ifill, PBS Washington Week
Juanita Jennings, Actress
Regina King, Actress
Katie Magrane, Youth Advocate
Amelia Marshall, Actress
Kadija Minah, Producer
Kenyetta Smith, Screenwriter
Jada Pinkett Smith, Actress

Release Date:2008

Duration:52 min

ISBN:978-1-932869-10-1

Subtitles:English

Trailers

Watch the trailer

Filmmaker Credits

Producer, Writer & Editor

Daphne Valerius

Supervising Producers

Janet Kolodzy & Melinda Robins

Original Music Provided by

Marcos Morales

Principal Photography

Claudia Saimbert

Additional Graphics

Casey Quinn, Tim MacArthur & Allison Lamb

Audio/Mix & Re-recording

Katerina Dejkoska

Film Festivals

Urban Media Makers Film Festival (Winner)

African Diaspora Film Festival

Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (Winner
Audience Choice Award)

Urban Film Series

Roxbury Film Festival

Reel Sisters Film Festival

Detroit Women Of Color International Film Festival

African Diaspora Film Festival

Festival Du Film Panafricain De Cannes
France

Black Filmmaker (Bfm) Film Club London
UK

Hip Hop Odyssey (H20) International Film Festival

Harlem International Film Festival

Charlotte African American Film Festival

Resources: Downloads and Related Links

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Transcript

Praise

"As Director of the St. John's University Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), I've used the Souls of Black Girls documentary to open the dialogue of self-love and acceptance with my young women every time the opportunity arises. We must continue to create the platform for our young men and women to discuss self-love. I strongly recommend the use of Souls of Black Girls as a tool for open discussion. Most importantly, it creates a 'safe space' for young women to share personal struggles with self and what society constitutes as beautiful."

Yvette Morgan
GEAR UP Director at St. John's University

“This film is a powerful reminder of the need to ensure that we are intentional in supporting the cognitive, social and emotional development of all women and girls, especially among African American women and girls.”

David Johns
Former Executive Director, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

“The Souls of Black Girls elucidates the nuance, complexity, beauty, and brilliance of Black girlhood.”

Sierra Austin-King
Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University
Films for the Feminist Classroom