In recognition of Black History Month, Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens programmer Ty Williams has curated a wide variety of films that celebrate and honor all areas of the Black experience for screening in February.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Film Department, Williams started as a cinema associate at the Oriental Theatre in 2019. He then became an assistant cinema manager at the Oriental Theatre and Downer Theatre, both of Milwaukee Film’s historic cinemas, this past spring.
“I’ve been thinking mostly about films that would accompany a wide range of audiences and provide an experience where nobody would feel like they’d look at the list and not find at least one film to attend,” Williams said. “I wanted this to be for somebody and also for everybody, so that way our community can come together and celebrate Black History Month and not feel they’re excluded in any way.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Williams took over as Black Lens programmer in September. Black Lens features films from emerging and established voices and hosts Black film-related events and discussions
“I’m thrilled to unveil this well-rounded lineup of Black History Month films,” Williams said. “An array of films that exemplify the dynamic range of Black stories told through cinema, this program includes compelling love stories like Cauleen Smith’s Drylongso, a Valentine’s Day screening of the Beyoncé-led romantic thriller Obsessed, and the historic Nationtime, documentarian William Greaves’ showcase of speeches by notable Black civil rights advocates from across the political spectrum.”
The lineup of films has some classic selections, such as Do the Right Thing, the 1989 comedy-drama produced, written and directed by Spike Lee.
“This is Spike Lee’s most popular movie and most people would know it, but there are still a lot who have not seen it and don’t know what the content is about,” Williams said. “Black history has this elusive way of working through cinema, where it’s kind of all around us and envelops us but you don’t necessarily really think about all the contributions that Black people make toward the advancement of cinema. This lineup puts it all on display and shows all these great movies that were either made by Black people or feature Black people in some way.”
Black filmmakers finding success isn’t something new, Williams said.
“It’s always been the case that these people fight for these positions and genuinely do them because they are passionate about them,” he said. “Having a wide range of films on display shows that these people love what they do and they do love the art of cinema, too, despite color or creed or anything else.”
Asked about his favorite selection, Williams is quick to point to Obsessed.
“I’m obsessed with Idris Elba and Beyoncé just because it’s like an elevated Hallmark or Lifetime movie,” he said. “It’s very cheesy and very fun and I selected it to play on Valentine’s Day because I figured it would be a really great date-night movie. To see Beyoncé in a weird battle in an attic where she’s in danger of falling through the floor, that’s going to engage some people.”
Here’s the full lineup of Black History Month films:
- Drylongso – 3 p.m. on Feb. 2
- Do The Righ Thing – 7 p.m. on Feb. 7
- Obsessed – 9 p.m. on Feb. 14
- Who Killed Captain Alex? – 9 p.m. Feb. 15
- Nationtime – 3 p.m. on Feb. 15
- Boyz n the Hood – 7 p.m. on Feb. 19
- Get Out – 9 p.m. on Feb. 22
- Malcolm X – 3 p.m. on Feb. 23
- Glory – 7 p.m. on Feb. 28
All Black History Month tickets and showtimes can be found online at mkefilm.org/black-history-month-2025.
