Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored

115 mins | Drama, Romance | Jan. 26, 1996

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.

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored

115 mins | Drama, Romance | Jan. 26, 1996

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
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.
IMDb rating 7.4
Producers BET Pictures, United Image Entertainme
Original title Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
Directors Tim Reid
Writers Clifton L. Taulbert, Paul W. Cooper

Cast

Al Freeman Jr.

as Poppa

Phylicia Rashād

as Ma Ponk

Paula Kelly

as Ma Pearl

Salli Richardson-Whitfield

as Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson)

Anna Maria Horsford

as Miss Annie

Bernie Casey

as Mr. Walter

Isaac Hayes

as Preacher Hurn

Ray J

as Cliff (12 Yrs.) (as Willis Norwood Jr.)

Polly Bergen

as Miss Maybry

Taj Mahal

as Mr. Will

Leon

as Uncle Melvin