#23: Selma
Year: 2014
The Selma marches are a revolutionary and integral part of the American Civil Rights Movement. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, ultimately making racial discrimination illegal throughout the U.S. But that didn’t stop certain states from making it incredibly difficult for Black Americans to register to vote.
The film’s director, Ana DuVernay, prioritized accuracy, claiming that she used John Lewis’ memoir to help inform her about several incidents. Even Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife, Coretta Scott King, states that the film accurately portrays the gross misuse of violence that was enforced at these marches.