Six Years After a Reckoning, Criterion Puts ‘Cinematic Blackness’ in Focus
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Ashley Clark, a former BAM film programmer, was hired as Criterion Collection's first curatorial director to help diversify and expand the company's catalog, especially regarding Black filmmakers.
- Historically, Criterion had very few African American directors represented, with only four out of 461 by 2020, leading to public acknowledgment of "blind spots" and a commitment to improve.
- Since 2020, Criterion has featured a curated "Black Lives" section with 99 DVD titles, including notable works like Garrett Bradley's "Time" and Charles Burnett's "Killer of Sheep," reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden representation.
- Criterion's streaming catalog and DVD releases operate under different systems, with streaming availability subject to rights agreements and less transparent data, though overall inclusion of Black films has steadily increased in recent years.
- Company president Peter Becker emphasized Criterion's responsibility and opportunity to influence audiences by making diverse films more accessible, marking a cultural shift in the brand's approach to curation.
