The film If Beale Street Could Talk, by Barry Jenkins, takes place in Harlem during the 1970s. The film follows Clemintine, played by Kiki Layne as she tries to prove her boyfriend, Fonny, innocence as he was wrongly convicted of rape.
The period piece shows what life as an African American was like in 1970s Harlem and the difficulties that followed. We see the hardships of police brutality in this film when Fonny is convicted of rape simply because he is black. The police wanted to pin the crime on him because it would be easy and because of racial views that were prejudiced against African Americans. The theme of wrongful conviction and constant police harassment are prominent themes throughout the film.
Though the film has its hard-hitting points, it also depicts the happiness of becoming a parent. I like how the movie breaks the stereotype of fathers in prison not wanting their children. The fact that this film conveys the opposite message resonated with my soul. The way this movie shows that family is the most important thing and that anything is justified when it comes to assuring the safety and overall well-being of your family is so surreal.