I Am Not Your Negro

2016, Documentary, 1h 35m

212 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

I Am Not Your Negro offers an incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin's crucial observations on American race relations -- and a sobering reminder of how far we've yet to go. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Disturbing Violent Images|Brief Nudity|Language|Thematic Material)
  • Genre:
    Documentary
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Raoul Peck
  • Producer:
    Rémi Grellety, Raoul Peck, Hébert Peck
  • Writer:
    James Baldwin
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $7.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Magnolia Pictures, Amazon Studios

Cast & Crew

Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Narrator
Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck
Director
James Baldwin
James Baldwin
Writer
Rémi Grellety
Rémi Grellety
Producer
Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck
Producer
Hébert Peck
Hébert Peck
Producer
Henry Adebonojo
Henry Adebonojo
Cinematographer
Bill Ross IV
Bill Ross IV
Cinematographer
Turner Ross
Turner Ross
Cinematographer
Alexandra Strauss
Alexandra Strauss
Film Editing
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News & Interviews for I Am Not Your Negro

New on Hulu in July 2020
New on Hulu in July 2020
2018 BAFTA Winners Announced
2018 BAFTA Winners Announced
2018 BAFTA Nominations Announced
2018 BAFTA Nominations Announced
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Critic Reviews for I Am Not Your Negro

All Critics (212) | Top Critics (57) | Fresh (209) | Rotten (3)
Full Review… Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino Bitch Media Full Review… Linda Marric The London Economic Full Review… Bilge Ebiri Spirituality & Health Full Review… Violet Lucca Sight & Sound Full Review… Stephen Romei The Australian Full Review… Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Michael Cuby them. Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene Full Review… Ed Morales The Nation Full Review… Olly Richards NME Full Review… Richard Crouse Richard Crouse
View All Critic Reviews (212)

Audience Reviews for I Am Not Your Negro

  • Jun 30, 2017
    James Baldwin was one of the most vital voices in America's 20th century and thanks to this movie his voice seems more essential then before. This important film shares Baldwin's views on racism at a point in his life where he was 63. Angry, tired, introspective, enlightened is how Baldwin comes across (in a letter read by Samuel L. Jackson and visualized brilliantly by Raoul Peck). This is a film that needs to be shared in homes, schools and any venue where discussion can follow.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • May 25, 2017
    Everyone should see it. Especially white liberals and white conservatives. Clarence Page said of James Baldwin: Baldwin's essays never stopped articulating the anger and frustration felt by real-life black Americans with more clarity and style than any other writer of his generation. This film is as relevant now as it was during Baldwin's life. Those who doubt his impact should consider that the FBI file on him ran to 1,884 pages. Clearly white America was terrified of him, yet he had white friends and advocated for reconciliation. This movie is hard to watch. It made me uncomfortable and angry. I can only imagine how it affects African Americans who see it. It is a fitting tribute to a great man, and one of our greatest writers.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
  • May 14, 2017
    Baldwin's always been a figure of fascination for me and Peck's intriguing portrait only deepens my appreciation him.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 18, 2017
    The fact that this unmissable documentary has been somehow met with strong opposition from a segment of the public is symptomatic evidence of its importance as an objective examination that should make us seriously reflect on the very roots of racism in America.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
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