The Black American Experience Famous Writers 2 Pack : Chester Himes & Ralph Ellison

Watch The Black American Experience Famous Writers 2 Pack : Chester Himes & Ralph Ellison

  • 2006
  • 44 min

The Black American Experience Famous Writers 2 Pack: Chester Himes & Ralph Ellison is a comprehensive documentary film that examines the amazing life and times of two great writers. The movie is an awe-inspiring ode to their contribution to an era in which the black American experience was beginning to come to the fore. This film is both informational and educational, delving deep into the archives to provide a wealth of insights and information about these writers.

Chester Himes's story is the first one to be told in this documentary. Born in Missouri in 1909, Himes spent his early years in poverty and hardship. He went on to win a scholarship to a prestigious university, but he was soon thrown out after an altercation with a white fellow student. This incident set the tone for Himes's life as a black man in the United States. Despite this inauspicious start, Himes went on to become a prolific and acclaimed writer, penning more than 20 books in his lifetime.

Through interviews with scholars, historians, and other experts, the documentary chronicles Himes's life and times, and the unique challenges he faced as a black author in a predominantly white publishing industry. Himes's works, which ranged from gritty crime novels to satire, are examined in detail, and viewers are provided with a deeper understanding of the man and his work.

The second story told in this documentary is that of Ralph Ellison. Born in Oklahoma in 1913, Ellison went on to become one of America's most significant modernist writers. His most famous work, the novel Invisible Man, won the National Book Award in 1953 and is now considered a classic of American literature.

Ellison's life and career are traced through interviews with scholars, friends, and family members. We learn about his early struggles with poverty and racism, his time in the military during World War II, and his eventual success as a writer. Along the way, we also gain valuable insights into Ellison's literary influences, including T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemingway, and the creative process that led to the creation of Invisible Man.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to a treasure trove of archival material, including rare photos, letters, and manuscripts. We also hear from other notable figures in the world of literature, including Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, and John F. Callahan, who provide valuable context and insights into Himes and Ellison's work, and their place in American literary history.

Overall, The Black American Experience Famous Writers 2 Pack: Chester Himes & Ralph Ellison is a must-watch for anyone interested in African American literature or the history of the Civil Rights movement. It provides a fascinating window into the lives and careers of two of America's most important authors, while also shedding light on the broader social and cultural issues of their time. This compelling documentary is a fitting tribute to the legacies of Chester Himes and Ralph Ellison, and their importance to American literature and culture.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2006
  • Runtime
    44 min