It doesn’t happen everyday that an African American or person of African descent gets nominated for an Oscar.
Because so many great performances are passed over, the Academy Awards fall short of representing the gold standard for all great film performances or accomplishments – though occasionally the voters do get it right.
Here’s a list of movies, available to watch on Netflix Instant, for which people of African descent have received Academy Award nominations.
[sws_divider_line] 1. Lilies of the Field (1963)
“On his way to California, an aimless ex-soldier stops at an isolated farm and soon finds himself building a chapel for the nuns who live there.”
Sidney Poitier won Best Actor in a Leading Role for Lilies of the Field.
[sws_divider_line] 2. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
“To earn cash as a freelance sex stud, a hayseed hustler heads to New York City — where an unlikely friendship blossoms when he meets a seedy con man.”
Hugh A. Robertson was nominated for Best Editing for Midnight Cowboy.
Robertson is the only African American in the history of the Academy Awards to have received a nomination in the editing category.
[sws_divider_line] 3. The Wiz (1978)
“In this Motown-flavored musical, Diana Ross stars as a Harlem teacher who gets caught in a blizzard and is transported to the magical land of Oz.”
Quincy Jones was nominated for Best Original Song and Its Adaptation for The Wiz.
[sws_divider_line] 4. Carmen Jones (1954)
“When a free-spirited factory worker lures a straight-laced airman into a torrid romance, he abandons his girlfriend and deserts the military.”
Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Carmen Jones.
[sws_divider_line] 5. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
“Dreams of being a Navy pilot prompt Zack to enroll in officer training school, where he runs afoul of a drill instructor who aims to change his ways.”
Louis Gossett Jr. won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for An Officer and a Gentleman.
[sws_divider_line] 6. Ghost (1990)
“Sam is killed by a mugger, but his love for his girlfriend, Molly, endures beyond the grave as Sam’s spirit tries to warn Molly that she is in danger.”
Whoopi Goldberg won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Ghost.
[sws_divider_line] 7. Boyz N the Hood (1991)
“A South Central Los Angeles high schooler struggles to please his father and to stay straight in a community polluted by drugs, violence and racism.”
John Singleton was nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Boyz N the Hood.
[sws_divider_line] 8. The Crying Game (1992)
“IRA terrorist Fergus bonds with his prisoner, Jody. Jody tells Fergus of his girlfriend, Dil, with whom Fergus later falls in love.”
Jaye Davidson was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Crying Game.
[sws_divider_line] 9. Hotel Rwanda (2005)
“Amid the holocaust of tribal fighting in Rwanda, one ordinary hotel manager musters the courage to save more than 1,000 refugees.”
Don Cheadle was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Sophie Okonedo was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Hotel Rwanda.
