Cineplex Movies and the Criterion Channel have announced plans to lift the streaming fees on collections of films by Black filmmakers and about Black lives.
A host of notable Black directors' work can be found in the collection, called "Understanding Black Stories," including the films of Jordan Peele, Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, John Singelton and many more.
Some of the films in the collections include 12 Years a Slave, Ali, Ray, Moonlight, Us, Hidden Figures, The Color Purple, Boyz n the Hood, The Pursuit of Happyness, The Hate U Give, Do the Right Thing, Loving, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Queen & Slim.
"We've met as a company and a community to talk openly about the work we need to do to build a better, more equitable, more diverse Criterion, beginning with education and training for our ownership and our staff," Criterion wrote in a statement. "We are also committed to examining the role we play in the idea of canon formation, whose voices get elevated, and who gets to decide what stories get told."
Criterion has also pledged to donate $5,000 monthly to employee-guided initiatives, as well as a $25,000 initial donation to "bail funds, community organizations, legal defense funds and advocacy groups that address police reform," in addition to fighting racism in America.
"In a time when many are turning to movies to become informed and empowered, we want to help," Cineplex wrote in a statement. "Our 'Understanding Black Stories' collection was curated to elevate Black filmmakers. These films are available to view at no cost on the Cineplex Store."
Take a look at the full collections over at Criterion Channel and Cineplex Movies. The films will be free for a week, but the program may be extended.
See the announcements below.
A host of notable Black directors' work can be found in the collection, called "Understanding Black Stories," including the films of Jordan Peele, Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, John Singelton and many more.
Some of the films in the collections include 12 Years a Slave, Ali, Ray, Moonlight, Us, Hidden Figures, The Color Purple, Boyz n the Hood, The Pursuit of Happyness, The Hate U Give, Do the Right Thing, Loving, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Queen & Slim.
"We've met as a company and a community to talk openly about the work we need to do to build a better, more equitable, more diverse Criterion, beginning with education and training for our ownership and our staff," Criterion wrote in a statement. "We are also committed to examining the role we play in the idea of canon formation, whose voices get elevated, and who gets to decide what stories get told."
Criterion has also pledged to donate $5,000 monthly to employee-guided initiatives, as well as a $25,000 initial donation to "bail funds, community organizations, legal defense funds and advocacy groups that address police reform," in addition to fighting racism in America.
"In a time when many are turning to movies to become informed and empowered, we want to help," Cineplex wrote in a statement. "Our 'Understanding Black Stories' collection was curated to elevate Black filmmakers. These films are available to view at no cost on the Cineplex Store."
Take a look at the full collections over at Criterion Channel and Cineplex Movies. The films will be free for a week, but the program may be extended.
See the announcements below.