Becoming Black
Director: Ines Johnson-Spain
In the 1960s, a white couple living in East Germany tells their dark-skinned child that her skin color is merely a coincidence. As a teenager, she accidentally discovers the truth. Years before, a group of African men came to study in a village nearby. Sigrid, an East German woman, fell in love with Lucien from Togo and became pregnant. But she was already married to Armin. The child is Togolese-East German filmmaker Ines Johnson-Spain. In interviews with Armin and others from her childhood years, she tracks the astonishing strategies of denial her parents, striving for normality, developed following her birth. What sounds like fieldwork about social dislocation becomes an autobiographical essay film and a reflection on themes such as identity, social norms and family ties, viewed from a very personal perspective.
Cast
In brief
Becoming Black (2019) is a documentary film. With an average rating of 6.0/10 from 2 votes, viewer opinions are mixed. The film runs 1h 31min. Check current streaming availability in the "Where to watch" section above.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Becoming Black online?
We're currently checking availability of Becoming Black across streaming services. Availability varies; it's worth checking major platforms such as Netflix, Max and Prime Video.
How long is Becoming Black?
Becoming Black runs 91 minutes (1h 31min).
What rating does Becoming Black have?
Becoming Black has an average rating of 6.0/10 based on 2 viewer votes on TMDB.
What year is Becoming Black from?
Becoming Black was released in 2019.
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