Directed by Ayoka Chenzira • 1993 • United States
Starring Lawrence Anderson, Kaci M. Fannin, Debbie Blackwell-Cook
MOTV (MY OWN TV) tells the story of Jamaican immigrant Ishmael (Lawrence Anderson) and his African American wife Elmina (Kaci M. Fannin), both Brooklyn residents, who go in search of the American dream and capture their journey through footage taken on Ishmael’s camcorder. Despite the unwavering and loving partnership they share, Elmina is troubled by their inability to have a child and escape the impoverished neighborhood they have been living in for the past five years. When Ishmael’s life is cut short, Elmina is faced with the task of revisiting haunting flashbacks and the stark inner-city realities that continue to surround her.
Up Next in Directed by Ayoka Chenzira
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Alma’s Rainbow
Directed by Ayoka Chenzira • 1994 • United States
Starring Kim Weston-Moran, Victoria Gabrielle Platt, Mizan NunesA rediscovered treasure of independent cinema, this incisive comedic drama follows Rainbow Gold (Victoria Gabrielle Platt), a teenager coming of age in Brooklyn, as she looks to two...
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Syvilla: They Dance to Her Drum
Directed by Ayoka Chenzira • 1979 • United States
Starring Syvilla Fort, Ayoka ChenziraThis tribute to innovative dancer-choreographer Syvilla Fort sheds light on a pioneering Black woman artist who influenced a generation of dancers.
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Hair Piece: A Film for Nappy Headed P...
Directed by Ayoka Chenzira • 1984 • United States
Starring Carol Jean LewisThis brash, inventive cartoon musical—a landmark of independent animation—satirizes Eurocentric beauty standards while celebrating the natural beauty of Black hair.
