Our Staff Picks column takes you back to a time when video stores reigned supreme and the "Staff Picks" section was the place to find out what films were worthy of one's time. Of course, our version of Staff Picks has a decidedly skintillating angle, as we suss out which films from a particular subgenre are the best to find great nudity. This week let's cover one a skinteresting collection: Black directors.
Since today is the last day of Black History Month, I wanted to celebrate Black directors. There are so many fantastic Black directors who have made gorgeous films. There are even some who have delivered gorgeous nude scenes! Here are just a few of those directors to get excited about.
Janicza Bravo
Janicza Bravo is an EXCITING filmmaker to me. She is quirky, strange, and not a stranger to nudity. She has a clear style, too. There is no denying that Ms. Bravo is making films that are worth watching. She directed the film Lemon as her first feature, but her movie Zola was an indie darling last year. She has also directed several episodes of TV shows including Dear White People, Atlanta, Mrs. America, and Poker Face.
Melvin Van Peebles
I can't do a series on Black directors without talking about the pioneering GOAT: Melvin Van Peebles. Van Peebles famously knew nothing about filmmaking and essentially white-lied his way onto sets by saying "sure, I know how to do that" and then quickly having to fake it 'til he made it. That's a true indie filmmaker if I ever heard of one! He is most famous for writing, directing, and starring in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song in which he plays a gigolo who shows off his massive cock.
John Singleton
John Singleton really shook up Hollywood with his debut film in 1991. Boyz N the Hood was that film! It follows three Black friends growing up in a rough neighborhood in LA. Their lives are threatened to grow apart when one of them gets a football scholarship to USC while the other attempts to go to college and the other gets involved with gangs and drugs. This film brought us a young Cuba Gooding Jr.'s juicy ass when he tries to lose his virginity. Well, we aren't virgins anymore when it comes to seeing what's under this guy's hood (talkin' bout his ass).
Spike Lee
Spike Lee is one of the most famous Black directors who has ever lived. He has earned his fame and respect because he consistently turns out unique films from Do The Right Thing to Da 5 Bloods, his movies are unlike anyone else's. Everyone has a different favorite Spike Lee film, but I'm partial to the nudity in one of his most underrated flicks.
Chi-Raq actually has great nudity. Not only do we get to see Nick Cannon's cans, but we see the delicious derriere on Dasaun Sanford.
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Gina Prince-Bythewood is a tried-and-true Black female director. She recently directed The Woman King which was a really enjoyable action film. She got her start back in the year 2000 with her Black indie love story: Love Basketball. This is a classic story of a girl and a boy who grow up together, bonding over their shared love of basketball. We follow them into adulthood where they try to balance their athletic dreams with their growing feelings for one another.
Steve McQueen
I adore Steve McQueen's films. He is best known now for 12 Years of Slave, Widows, and the stylistically gorgeous film series Small Axe. That being said, I need to remind everyone that McQueen directed Shame. Yes, THE Shame that features a sex-addicted Michael Fassbender and his giant swinging dick.
Barry Jenkins
I have to end on the director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins. Barry Jenkins is currently thriving as a film producer and director. He has enjoyed critical success with If Beale Street Could Talk and Aftersun which he produced. Aftersun stars Paul Mescal and even shows us his ass, so Barry is right-on-the-money when it comes to shining a literal light on a popular actor.
He wrote and directed Moonlight, the Oscar-winning gay Black film that moved so many of us. It is still incredible, and well-earned, that it won Best Picture. Despite its lack of nudity, I have to give it its praise.
