Tech Bros and Black Films??
When you think SXSW, you probably think tech bros, startup pitches and somebody forcing you into a crypto conversation.
Now while I did almost get talked into buying a crypto wallet for my $5 worth of Bitcoin, I also learned that tucked in between the Patagonia vests is something people don’t talk about enough: this has quietly been one of the most important stages for Black filmmakers. Folks like Issa Rae, Ryan Coogler and Barry Jenkins all had moments here before becoming household names.
And this year, they handed me a press pass so I could see for myself.
From Boots Riley’s surreal brilliance in I Love Boosters, to a documentary breaking down the real (and very Black) origins of zombies, to stories about grief and the women who documented some of the most pivotal moments in modern history, SXSW really showed range when it came to Black storytelling.
Not exactly what you’d expect from the “Silicon Valley of the South.”
