How It Feels to Be Free (2021)

This documentary discusses the careers of six iconic entertainers (Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone and Pam Grier) and the challenges they experienced being both Black and female in the entertainment industry. There wasn’t a lot in the film that I hadn’t already seen or read in following these women’s careers. There also seemed to be too much attention given to producer Alicia Keys’s experiences being inspired by those who came before her. My favorite part was the discussion of Abbey Lincoln’s career. She was a stand-out for me in my recent watch of The Girl Can’t Help It . Though it’s disappointing that she felt so disenchanted by wearing a ‘borrowed’ dress in that film, seeing how her career later progressed was fascinating for me.