An animated satire on the question of self-image for African American women living in a society where beautiful hair is viewed as hair that blows in the wind and lets you be free. Lively tunes and witty narration accompany a quick-paced inventory of relaxers, gels, and curlers. This short film has become essential for discussions of racism, African American cinema, and empowerment.
Direction
Chenzira invented Black feminist experimental animation on a shoestring.
Editing
Rapid-fire collage that weaponizes advertising against itself.
Writing
Narration so sharp it could cut a relaxer chemical burn.
Director
Ayoka Chenzira
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chenzira made this as her MFA thesis at Columbia, essentially creating a genre of Black women's experimental animation that wouldn't be recognized by mainstream institutions for decades.
She animated using paper cutouts and sand on glass—techniques she taught herself because no program was teaching Black experimental animation in 1984.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
