Sidney Poitier - The Man Who Changed Hollywood

A respectful, informative portrait that moves briskly through a remarkable life, mixing archival clips with talking heads to warm and thoughtful effect.

Directed by

Henning van Lil, Katja Runge

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Sidney Poitier, Lee Grant, Constance Towers

Overview

Exceptionally talented actor and bridge-builder between black and white, a political icon and artist at the same time: that was Sidney Poitier. He made Hollywood history in 1964 when he became the first black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role − and thus became the first international black superstar. He grew up in poor circumstances in the Bahamas − with only a few years of schooling. Despite this humble start, Sidney Poitier became a film legend committed artistically and politically against all odds. What compromises did he have to make? What shaped him? This documentary gives an intimate insight into the eventful life of the actor and director, who died in January 2022 at the age of 94.

How it feels

Measured and needs your attention.

About

Race, identity, ambition, justice

Content

No violence, gore, sexual content or swearing.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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