Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1996)

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1996)

1996-01-26 United States of America 115 Min. PG-13
4.2 4 votes

Overview

This film relates the story of a tightly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Town where the inhabitants live and depend on each other in a world where racist oppression is everywhere, as told by a boy called Cliff who spent his childhood there. Despite this, we see the life of the community in all its joys and sorrows, of those that live there while others decide to leave for a better life north. For those remaining, things come to a serious situation when one prominent businessman is being muscled out by a white competitor using racist intimidation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights.

Cast

Paula Kelly is Ma Pearl
Ma Pearl
Salli Richardson-Whitfield is Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson)
Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson)
Bernie Casey is Mr. Walter
Mr. Walter
Isaac Hayes is Preacher Hurn
Preacher Hurn
Ray J is Cliff (12 Yrs.) (as Willis Norwood Jr.)
Cliff (12 Yrs.) (as Willis Norwood Jr.)
Polly Bergen is Miss Maybry
Miss Maybry
Taj Mahal is Mr. Will
Mr. Will
Leon is Uncle Melvin
Uncle Melvin