Now Playing at AFS: NOTHIN’ NO BETTER, UP FROM THE STREETS and BACURAU

The documentary NOTHIN NO’ BETTER, directed by Ben and Bo Powell, is a captivating portrait of Rosedale, Mississippi. This is the place where the film’s co-directors found their creative voices, so it makes sense that they would be drawn back to it with a lived-in curiosity. The film consists of short vignettes, snapshots, and brief monologues that converge to build an entire universe by its final frame. 

Ben and Po’s collective ability to merge striking photography with meaningful narrative makes for a captivating viewing experience. More importantly, their humble directorial approach allows the people on screen to tell their own stories. Each moment reminds you that a community is something people actively build together. 

Throughout the film, citizens of Rosedale occasionally appear in front of a deliberately positioned white backdrop—much like something a photographer would set up for a studio shoot. The construct stands out as an artificial device and is engaged more casually than formally by the subjects interacting with it. At one point, a 20-year-old Piggly Wiggly employee lingers in front of it and starts texting after briefly introducing herself. Moments like this reinforce that the viewer is an observer being granted permission to walk, ride, play, and explore with these people.

In addition to being a collaborative project between the filmmakers and AFS, this film was made in partnership with an organization called Rosedale Freedom Project. Their mission involves supporting the development of young people in the Mississippi Delta through things like art, community, and grassroots organizing. NOTHIN’ NO BETTER is particularly beautiful in the way it centers young people of Rosedale. It’s amazing to see their lives take shape as they explore things like music, sports, and simply experiencing joy collectively. Portraying experiences across a variety of ages allows the filmmakers to explore bigger ideas about human existence while honoring Rosedale as its own unique world. Overall, the film is a compelling example of on-screen storytelling as an empathetic medium. Watch NOTHIN’ NO BETTER here.

The full title of the documentary UP FROM THE STREETS, produced and directed by Michael Murphy, is UP FROM THE STREETS: NEW ORLEANS: THE CITY OF MUSIC. In terms of how it’s made, this is a much more traditional documentary than NOTHIN’ NO BETTER. It incorporates a narrator, interviews, and archival footage to chart the fascinating history of New Orleans as a musical haven. The footage woven throughout the documentary—including several terrific live performances—is assembled with purpose and urgency. The chronological tracing of how music evolved in New Orleans explores several human-centric windows into the past. The overall structure of the documentary is episodic, which means that an at-home viewing could allow for natural pauses to look up the people, histories, and music being discussed. Consuming this could easily prompt the creation of playlists and the placement of library holds.

In terms of the content itself, UP FROM THE STREETS meaningfully explores the ways in which New Orleans has defined so much of the culture we recognize today. The city is the site of unimaginable historical and racial trauma. It has shouldered catastrophic events such as Hurricane Katrina and continued onward despite great suffering. Culturally, it’s where Cuban, French, Spanish, and African influences intersected both socially and artistically. It taught some of history’s greatest artists—like Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson—how music could be a vehicle for activism. These are just a few of the ideas this documentary makes more concrete.

It’s thrilling to see just how many iconic artists over the years have drawn connections between New Orleans’ distinct cultural influences to give us what we know as jazz, gospel, R&B, rap, rock, and so many more genres we recognize today. Watch UP FROM THE STREETS: NEW ORLEANS: THE CITY OF MUSIC here.There will be a Q&A with executive producer Terence Blanchard and producer/director Michael Murphy on Saturday, May 16th at 7PM ET/4PM PT. Register to attend the session at the scheduled time here.

BACURAU is tremendously entertaining, full of timely political commentary, and gorgeously shot. It envelops the viewer in a world of vibrant colors, imminent danger, and the kind of structural violence only human beings could perpetuate. The film dabbles in a collection of genres that seem incongruous on paper. Depending on the scene or sequence, it could be considered science fiction, horror, action, or a supernaturally infused social thriller about colonialism and generational trauma. The film has a fantastic soundtrack, a diverse cast, and a pulsating energy throughout the entirety of its runtime. Watch it here.

AFS Cinema and its partners have made these films available to screen virtually. A portion of the proceeds from all virtual screenings will go toward future AFS programming and reopening the theater when the guidance of public health officials indicates it is safe to do so. Thank you for your support.