Gordon Parks on the set of his directorial debut The Learning Tree, courtesy Warner Bros Entertainment.
Lenfest Kids: February 2021 Programming
This February, we celebrate Black History Month with three films exploring African and African-American culture across the past, present, and even the future.
Our animated film, Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998), takes viewers into the mythic past of West African folk tales, telling the story of the young Kirikou’s struggles with the witch Karaba. The film also features music provided by the legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour.
Our classic, The Learning Tree (1969), was the debut film of director Gordon Parks, who came to cinema following a career as a celebrated photographer of twentieth-century Black life. Based on Parks’ semi-autobiographical novel of life in 1920s Kansas, The Learning Tree was the first movie directed by a Black filmmaker for a major American film studio.
Finally, our live-action film is Ava DuVernay’s 2018 A Wrinkle in Time, an adaptation of the beloved 1962 sci-fi novel by Madeleine L’Engle. Showcasing the influence of Afrofuturism in contemporary science fiction, DuVernay’s film reworks L’Engle’s novel to depict a multi-racial, inclusive universe presided over by powerful women.
Be sure to check out our “Get Creative” section for activities that help celebrate Black identity and heritage!
Still from Kirikou and the Sorceress, courtesy of Michel Ocelot.
Kirikou and the Sorceress
Dir. Michel Ocelot, 1998
France | Not Rated | ages 5+
The tiny Kirikou is born into an African village upon which a sorceress called Karaba has cast a terrible spell: the spring has dried up, the villagers are being blackmailed, the men of the village have either been kidnapped or have mysteriously disappeared. Kirikou wants to rid the village of the curse so he goes on a voyage to the Forbidden Mountain, where the Wise Man of the Mountain, who knows of Karaba and her secrets, awaits him.
Note: Contains culturally appropriate nudity.
Still from The Learning Tree, courtesy Warner Bros Entertainment.
The Learning Tree
Dir. Gordon Parks, 1969
United States | PG | ages 14+
A bittersweet and idyllic story about a year in the life of a 14-year-old boy, born into a poor Black family in Kansas during the 1920s, who learns about hate and love, immorality and honor. Based on the life story of its director, the great Gordon Parks, who first gained prominence as a Life Magazine photojournalist and as founder of Essence Magazine. This "brilliantly photographed" (Leonard Maltin) tale was honored in 1989 as an American classic by the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Still from A Wrinkle in Time, courtesy Disney
A Wrinkle in Time
Dir. Ava DuVernay, 2018
United States | PG | ages 10+
After the disappearance of Meg Murry's scientist father, three celestials - Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who - journey to Earth to help Meg search for him. Traveling via a wrinkling of time and space known as tessering, they are transported to worlds beyond their imagination, where they are confronted by an evil force. To make it home, Meg must face the darkness within herself and find the strength to defeat the darkness enveloping the Universe.
Get Creative Project
For this month's Get Creative, we showcase the work of local school teacher Laleña Garcia, author of What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book.
With illustrations by Caryn Davidson, What We Believe presents the underlying ideas of the Black Lives Matter movement in child-friendly language, with activities and illustrations accompanying each principle. The activity book is available for purchase online where you can find example activities along with a teacher’s resource guide. Select activity pages are available to download below, courtesy of author Laleña Garcia and publisher Lee and Low Books.
Guiding Principles Activity
Diversity Activity
Collective Vaule Activity
“I can’t wait to see how children fill these pages with ideas, color, stories, and freedom dreams. Those who recognize the uniquely powerful role that young children play in the movement for Black Lives will treasure this rare resource.”
Fun fact: Ava DuVernay is the only filmmaker to have been made into a Barbie, released in 2015 by designer Linda Kyaw. You can purchase the doll here.
Please note: We provide MPAA ratings and suggested age range ratings from Common Sense Media for your guidance, but as always, parental discretion is advised.