The Harder They Fall and the Importance of Contemporary Black Storytelling

I explored Black exposure and identity within film, and highlighted the importance of authentic, genuine expression of marginalized voices. I sought to unravel the revitalization of Black consciousness through pop culture in the digital age, as representation is integral for the cultivation of historically underrepresented artforms. American cinema has played a significant role in upholding a certain vision of the country's history, and for a people who've been so vehemently forced into the margins of society, the process of cultural reclamation is vital. Black cinema serves as an avenue for creative expression, cultural affirmation, and a redefinition of liberty in the face of racial discrimination. It has forecast, critiqued, and documented the ever present societal violence of today, while simultaneously challenging America's deeply ingrained prejudices. I closely analyzed Netflix's The Harder They Fall, as it combats otherness and embraces Black exceptionalism. Its art attempts to alleviate the pain from the echoes of oppression in a postcolonial world, shattering barriers placed by a dreadful history of stereotypes. The film is a Black Western: a fantastical revamp sporting a primarily-Black cast, with many of the characters based off of real historical figures. Under the direction of Jeymes Samuel, the film unapologetically bends and reassembles genres within a late 19th century setting. The Harder They Fall and other films of its ilk can't reverse the damage done by the removal of blackness defined by mainstream cinema, though their stylistic freedoms reflect the defiance of contemporary storytelling that is so desperately needed today.