In Week 3 of our Black Coming-of-Age in the 1990s series, we revisit Crooklyn, Spike Lee’s semi-autobiographical portrait of childhood in 1970s Brooklyn. Through sibling rivalry, gender dynamics, colorism, community life, and sudden maturity, the film captures how memory, family, and neighborhood shape identity long before adolescence fully arrives.
Dive into Leslie Harris’s 1993 Sundance hit, Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. We explore Chantel Mitchell’s journey through forced maturity, systemic barriers, and the haunting real-world Brooklyn tragedies that provide context to the film’s climax.
Eve’s Bayou blends Southern Gothic storytelling with a coming-of-age lens, exploring memory, magic, and truth through the eyes of a child. This Week 1 film study breaks down its themes, artistry, and lasting impact.
