Lashana Lynch shares her experience of being a Black woman in the film industry
The actress spoke to Fleur East about her role in the latest James Bond film
On 30th September 2021, the new James Bond film No Time To Die was released and Lashana Lynch was thrown into stardom as the first Black female 007! Fleur East caught up with her to discuss how she felt landing the part in such a huge movie and talk about the significance of this role for her.
In the film, Lashana plays the character Nomi, an M16 agent who takes on the 007 title. Speaking about the character, she said: "I think with any character for a young Black woman to play it's important that we take charge of our own experiences."
Actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge worked on the No Time To Die script to help write the female characters. Speaking about what it was like working with Phoebe, Lashana said: "She really makes all of her characters relatable. I knew that I was already speaking to someone who was ready to take charge of this character, who was ready to actually represent women properly and give me the chance to flex in a role that is going to be a part of cinema history."
Fleur asked Lashana about future roles she would like to take on and she responded: "I'm really grateful to be an adult in this industry now where we are having characters like Nomi just be in the cinema, whereas some time ago we would have to grapple as Black women to find roles like this, they are there and we are being vocal about them needing to be a part of films."
While talking about being a role model for young Black women Lashana said: "I feel very humbled, and very grateful. It's an honour to be able to reshape history and give us something to really look forward to, give us something to stand for in the future. Actually create a benchmark for filmmakers in the future."
Take a look at through some of the best films to watch for Black History Month on Disney+:
Phi Slama Jama
ESPN's Emmy winning documentary celebrates and explores the phenomenon of the 1980's University Of Houston men's basketball team who transformed the game itself.
This film also focuses on the disappearance of player Benny Anders and the brotherhood of co-captains Eric Davis and Lynden Rose when they try and find him after more than two decades of mystery. A must for all basketball fans!
The Hurricane
The Hurricane tells the story of boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, who is wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence. The film stars Denzel Washington, where he won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor.
Release date: 15th October
Notorious
Notorious is a biographical film about the life and death of rapper Christoper Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G, following his life and murder. The soundtrack is as almost as famous as the film itself.
Hidden Figures
Released in 2016, Hidden Figures tells the story of three female African-American mathematicians who play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. The true story, starring Janelle Monáe, Octavia Spencer and Taraji P. Henson, is thought provoking and up lifting.
Jordan Rides The Bus
In the fall of 1993 and when he was in his prime, basketball legend Michael Jordan walked away from pro basketball following the death of his father and issues with gambling. Jordan Rides The Bus tells the story of Michael rekindling his childhood love for baseball during the toughest time of his life. What happened when he pursued a new sporting career?
LA 92
Twenty-five years after the verdict in the Rodney King trial sparked several days of protests, violence and looting in Los Angeles, LA 92 gathers rarely seen archival footage that examines the crucial events.
Glory Road
Glory Road (2006) is based on the true story surrounding the events of the 1966 NCAA University Division Basketball Championship. Coach Don Haskins puts together an all-black starting line-up, the first in history. Glory Road explores racism, discrimination, and student athletics.
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe follows the story of a chess prodigy from an Ugandan slum. The 2016 film was based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, who took up chess aged nine despite not being in school and went on to compete in international tournaments. It stars Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo.
Ruby Bridges
The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 and at age 6, helped to integrate and the segregarding of all-white schools of New Orleans. She truly changed history...
Red Tails
Red Tails is a beautiful tribute to a squadron of pilots known as the Tuskegee airmen are finally given the chance to prove themselves in the air. A true story full of heroes despite hideous discrimination.
The Fab 5
The Fab 5 is another ESPN documentary about a group of 1990s Michigan Wolverines men's basketball players Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. The five are said to have 'revolutionised college basketball'.
Safety
Safety, released in 2020, is based on the story of Ray McElrathbey, a football player who battled family adversity to join the Clemson Tigers - all while trying to juggle his school work.
Deion's Double Play
Athlete Deion Sanders races against time when he manages to sandwich a pro football game around a pair of postseason baseball games, in two different cities a thousand miles apart. A very busy 24 hours, but can he manage to please all his fans?
Cool Runnings
A Disney cult classic, Cool Runnings is loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team's appearance in the 1988 Olympic Games.
Prepare to be transported back to the 80s.
Remember The Titans
Highly considered the 'best sports film of the decade', Remember The Titans is the story of a new African-American football coach (Denzel Washington) and his team's first season in 1970s Virginia.
Belle
Belle is a period drama inspired by the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral in the 18th Century. Despite growing up in aristocratic home, her background makes her an outsider as she is encouraged to find a husband.
Beloved
Beloved is a pyschological horror about a mother haunted by her horrific slavery past and her desperate actions for freedom. Sethe and her daughter Denver experience strange things in the house after the visit of a young woman, whose existence brings their past fears to life.
Antwone Fisher
Directed by Denzel Washington, Antwone Fisher, a young navy man, is forced to see a psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow crewman.
42 to 1
A documentary about what really happened when James "Buster" Douglas did the impossible and defeated Mike Tyson for the heavyweight championship of the world on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo.
The Colour of Friendship
The Colour of Friendship is the inspiring story of two girls Mahree & Piper, who are opposite sides of the world, but they come together and change each other's lives. Another 1990s classic that will leave you smiling.
Doc and Darryl
Baseball duo Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry know what it's like to be on the good and bad side of fame. This documentary sees the pair look back at the 'glory days' of the 80s and the horrifying truth about their battle with addictions.
Faster: The story of Breaking2
In this National Geographic documentary three of the world's most elite distance runners set out to break the two-hour marathon barrier. Follow the trio as they train and get on with their day-to- day lives in eastern Africa before racing in Italy.
Hip Hop Uncovered
Hip Hop fans rejoice! This six-part documentary tells the story of 40 years of music history and takes a deep dive into the the genre's fascination of criminalisation and street culture.
Soul Of A Nation
Soul Of A Nation is a unique window into the realities of Black life, aiming to put black culture in America at the front and centre.
Release date: 27th October
Summer Of Soul
A 2021 documentary film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which was held for six weeks. Despite having performers such as Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the festival was seen as 'obscure' in pop culture.
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