Born
January 2, 1884
Died
March 25, 1951
Country
United States of America
Movie pioneer Oscar Micheaux produced the first African American feature film in 1919. Entitled The Homesteader and based on Micheaux’s novel of the same name, it told the star-crossed story of a Black settler who falls in love with a white woman on the South Dakota frontier.
Over the next three decades, Micheaux wrote, produced, and directed more than forty silent features and talkies. Winning the most acclaim were Body and Soul, Harlem after Midnight, and Within Our Gates.
Micheaux’s films blended entertainment with biting social commentary. Targeting Black audiences, they contradicted the negative stereotypes of African Americans that filled mainstream motion pictures. Though Micheaux’s movies were screened far and wide, some were censored for their provocative take on race relations.
Determination was the quality that defined Micheaux the filmmaker. He produced most of his films on a shoestring budget, the production funds often coming from his own pocket. Though Micheaux declared bankruptcy in 1928, he continued to find new sources of money to finance his films.
Few experts would describe Micheaux’s films as technically adept—but then, few directors have replicated his feat of shooting most movies in four to eight short weeks. To stay on time and under budget, Micheaux relied heavily on long, continuous shots that required actors such as Evelyn Preer and Paul Robeson to improvise.
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Paul Robeson made his film debut in Micheaux’s Body and Soul (1925). |
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Evelyn Preer starred in many of his films. |
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Many of the Lafayette Players starred in his films. |
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Micheaux’s desire to collaborate with Zora Neale Hurston was never fulfilled. |
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Video Bio
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Audio, video, animation, photography, and technology. From Depression-era images that captured the attention of a nation, to student-produced videos on local artists, to how to make your own blood and guts special effects, explore the ever-changing world of media arts.
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
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Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
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