WFC celebrates Black History Month with the iconic debut of John Singleton, who died in April aged 51. A 22-year old screenwriting graduate when he started making the film (the screenplay was based on his thesis) he was the first African-American filmmaker, and remains the youngest person ever, nominated for a Best Director Oscar.

Three boys grow up in inner city Los Angeles, only one has a father guiding him to take responsibility for his actions. Negotiating a path through the pervasive social problems of violence and crime is less clear for the other two. Peppered with outstandingly sensitive (and breakthrough) performances and with a superlative portrayal of the unrelenting confrontation and aggression of everyday life in South Central LA, anyone interested in the Black Lives Matter movement should watch this film.

Singleton grew up in South Central LA, the setting of Boyz (its characters were inspired by his family and friends) and he insisted on directing his own screenplay. He observed later “I wasn’t going to have someone from Idaho or Encino direct this movie”, and that he’d been surprised a film made for a core Black audience had crossed over and achieved critical
acclaim.

‘A blistering humanitarian classic that has not dated.’ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian