Celebrate Black History Month with our Concrete Dreams: Black Identity in the Urban Frame series, starting off with Barry Jenkins’ 2016 coming-of-age drama Moonlight.
The film chronicles the life of Chiron, a young Black man, through three transformative chapters: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood, Chiron navigates the challenges of a drug-addicted mother (Naomie Harris), bullying, and his own burgeoning sense of self. Guided by the compassion of a local drug dealer, Juan (Mahershala Ali), and his partner Teresa (Janelle Monáe), Chiron begins to grapple with his sexuality and inner turmoil. As he matures, his journey becomes one of self-acceptance and vulnerability in the face of a world that demands toughness.
With its nuanced performances, stunning cinematography, and emotionally resonant storytelling, Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture, cementing its place as a groundbreaking and profoundly human cinematic achievement.
Concrete Dreams: Black Identity in the Urban Frame is a series that explores the profound relationship between Black Cinema and the cities that shape its narratives. Each film in the series not only tells a compelling story, but also positions the urban environment as a central character—its streets, culture, and communities influencing the lives, struggles, and triumphs of its inhabitants. By highlighting stories that intertwine identity, culture, and place, this series invites audiences to reflect on the dynamic interplay between people and the environments they call home, showcasing how these cities pulse through the heart of Black storytelling.