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Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About The Magic of Cinema
By
George Alexander

Publisher: Broadway Books
Price: $15.95
Pages 528
Pub Date: Febuary
Grade: A

In his inspirational book of Black achievement in film, "Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About The Magic of Cinema," journalist George Alexander’s offers his readers a up close and personal look with groundbreaking directors Gordon Parks, Melvin Van Peebles, Spike Lee, Forest Whitaker and others to shed some light on how these innovators got their breaks, what movies mean to them and how they have dealt with Hollywood adversity.

Growing up in Mobile, Ala. during the ‘70s, Alexander never dreamt of working on movies. They were purely entertainment. Today, Alexander a Morehouse graduate, is a frequent lecturer on film and pop-culture.

Alexander says "Why We Make Movies" is not a journal of bitterness or anger — though it would be hard to assemble 33 filmmakers of any ethic group and not find bitterness and anger in the ranks.

"I contend that the filmmakers…possess the rarest form empowerment necessary to overcome obstacles," he says. "The book’s relevance extends far beyond the boundaries of the movie theater."

"Why We Make Movies" is a triumph documenting African-American pioneers in the entertainment industry. A must for film lovers.