Top Picks from Ella Cooper

This is a beautiful documentary directed by the late Charles Officer and produced by Lea Marin. Lyrical, visually stunning and poignant, this is a moving watch and a reminder of what an important storyteller Charles was. This bittersweet film reminds me of the way in which we as Black filmmakers capture the Canadian history of our youth and many underrepresented voices. It’s a joy to sit back and watch a young girl’s journey to find her voice, and the film also serves as an incredible archive of the Black neighbourhoods that continue to be disrupted by rampant development in our country. - By Ella Cooper

Black women, this is a film best watched with another sista. Nadine Valcin’s doc, shot over 20 years ago, hits upon a timeless topic relevant to so many Black women-identified people today. Yes, it is our hair. There are interviews with distinctly different Black women, sporting everything from natural hair to perms, locks and braids, juxtaposed against histories of Black hair and intimate moments getting their hair done. This film reveals the very personal struggles, childhood memories, trauma and awakening that are all tied up in the coils of their Black hair. This is a fun one to watch, and it invites us to question societal norms while reflecting on our own Black hair bias and experiences. - By Ella Cooper