Nothing But A Man
This 1964 cinematic masterpiece presents the portrait of an imperfect man traversing the difficult terrain of his relationship with the woman who loves him, and the stiflingly primitive culture of American apartheid, all while insisting upon his own sense of self-respect. Directed by Michael Roemer this landmark film stars the beautiful Abbey Lincoln, making a flawless transition from celebrated jazz chanteuse to first time actress, alongside the accomplished stage actor Ivan Dixon, who would later make yet another important cultural contribution co-staring in the popular 1960s television comedy hit Hogan's Heroes. Filmed on locations in the north and south of the United States during a period which today is now romanticized but was then stark, and even brutal. Ahead of the time for its handling of the subject matter it is rare that a movie captures a period and people as authentically as this.