You are here:

1 Angry Black Man

Name: 1 Angry Black Man
Director: Menelek Lumumba
Released: 2019
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

8.2/10

Excellent

2019

Director

Menelek Lumumba

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Menelek Lumumba’s drama succeeds as a concentrated character study that disrupts traditional storytelling hierarchies. By centering the psychological interiority of a Black male protagonist, the film transforms the experience of racial microaggressions into a central narrative driver rather than a peripheral concern. The film excels in its deep exploration of racial and cultural identity, specifically through the lens of academic institutional friction. It provides a powerful critique of social hierarchies and the psychological toll of navigating hostile, predominantly white spaces. However, the film's hyper-focus on racial identity results in a lack of breadth. The narrative offers little engagement with LGBTQ+ themes or diverse gendered perspectives beyond the specific exploration of Black masculinity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does 1 Angry Black Man have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses primarily on the protagonist's racial and psychological journey. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships shown.

How does 1 Angry Black Man portray gender?

Fair

The movie explores the pressures of Black masculinity by showing strength through vulnerability and psychological exhaustion. It avoids traditional tough-guy clichés to offer a nuanced look at masculine archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is 1 Angry Black Man?

Excellent

By centering a Black protagonist in a predominantly white New England college, the film provides significant depth. It uses the protagonist's role to confront systemic racial tensions and microaggressions.

How does 1 Angry Black Man represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques contemporary Western social institutions and the power dynamics in modern American academia. It frames the protagonist's outbursts as legitimate responses to systemic injustice.

Does 1 Angry Black Man include disability representation?

Fair

While physical disabilities are not mentioned, the film explores neuro-psychological conditions such as trauma and isolation. The protagonist's anger serves as a manifestation of acute emotional and psychological strain.

Present on Screen

Provides profound depth to Black men's control over the story and psychological interiority.
Effectively critiques systemic racial tensions within academic institutions.
Challenges traditional male clichés through depictions of vulnerability and sadness.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ characters or queer relationship dynamics.
Offers limited exploration of gender diversity beyond the central protagonist.
Does not explicitly address physical or sensory disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Mike Anderson is a senior at the quintessential New-England liberal arts school, Frost College. And Mike is eight weeks away from graduation. On this particular day he has his African-American Literature class with his favorite professor. But today, Mike is feeling sadness. He's feeling isolated. He's feeling Angry.

How are these scores produced? →