This 2009 documentary starring and produced by comedian Chris Rock is a unique look at the historical, economic and socio-cultural impact and implications of the concept of “good hair” in the modern African-American community, and how it has shaped ideas about beauty, fashion, and acceptability within Black society as a whole. Guiding viewers on his own personal exploration of what it means to have “good hair” as he visits beauty and barber shops and hairstyling conventions around the country— and inspired by conversations with his own daughter— Rock opens up insightful dialogue about how and why natural hair had largely fallen out of style among Black women (and men), and how to shift the dialogue away from outdated thinking and back to celebrating more native forms of Black beauty. Coming to Birmingham to film for a week in 2007, Rock and his crew interviewed locals about the issue, including at the now defunct Pedestals Salon, and later spent time with two Birmingham-based stylists in Atlanta at a beauty competition to include them in the conversation and get their perspectives on the issue. Also featuring commentary from more well known figures from the African-American community— including Maya Angelou, Rev. Al Sharpton, Raven-Symone, Salt-n-Pepa, and Ice-T, among many others— the film produced largely positive reviews and won the Special Jury Prize for documentaries at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was also nominated for Best Documentary Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America.
FUN FACT: Not without some controversy, Rock would be sued in 2009 by filmmaker Regina Kimbell over intellectual property rights for themes and ideas she claimed Rock had taken from her own documentary about the same subject entitled My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, which she had previously personally screened for Rock in 2007. The case never went anywhere, but did cause a stir, as she sought an injunction against Rock’s film to not be released.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MazokEvX63I