Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen

With issues of race so often neglected in films about transgendered people and, as one of the participants in this documentary says, media representation of black men being generally limited to superstar sportsmen, criminals and Barack Obama, Still Black is a timely and vital piece of filmmaking. Viewers are offered a multi-faceted image of race, sexuality and trans identities through intimate portraits of six black transgendered men living in the USA, telling stories of their lives as artists, students, husbands, fathers, lawyers and teachers. Subjects such as coming out, families, relationships and work are discussed openly and honestly as the participants talk about finding their way in life and experiencing first hand the prejudice and stereotyping directed at black men. Beautifully shot in black and white, the film is kept visually interesting through the judicious use of experimental techniques whilst never distracting the viewer from the stories being told.
Jason Barker