Last night I attended the premiere for Good Hair in New York. You can always tell its going to be a fun night when you walk in a theater and see chairs reserved for Chris Rock, Ice-T, and Salt & Pepa upon first sight. While sitting next to Producer Nelson George, there was legendary hip hop producer Prince Paul sitting in front of me while Reverend Al Sharpton sat behind me… (I’m not kidding). It was all love.
(Chris Rock, Nia Long, Nelson George. Rock interviews child getting relaxed)
Regarding the film. I cannot remember the last time I’ve been so educated yet so entertained at the same time. Watching this film was an intimate peephole into a specific angle of female culture (namely African-American women) and the pressures, economics, and physical dangers concerning the pursuit of maintaining “good hair” — defined by long, straight, relaxed hair.
All the insight in this film is beautiful, pathetic, political, and eye-opening. As I walked out of the theater, the film had launched a million philosophical conversations as we headed towards the Standard hotel after party. Chris Rock and Nelson George truly constructed a masterpiece and unearthed a cultural topic previously unbeknownst to several people — all packaged in a smart film that made you laugh really hard. Props to Ice-T for the best closing line of a movie.
This should be a contender for Oscar in the doc category which I’m sure will be fighting for space next to September Issue on Anna Wintour and the Vogue empire — yet another peek into the myth of beauty from a different point of view. Don’t forget the doc on Valentino. Lots of smart fashion contender docs this year.
Good Hair opens in theaters this Friday, October 9, 2009.
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