10 Best Black & White Films Of The 21st Century (So Far)
6. Passing (2021)
Passing is about two black women, played by Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson, that pass as white, meaning their appearance and behavior causes others to perceive them as Caucasian. The story is based off of a short novel written in the late 1920s, and takes place within that time frame.
The friendship of the two women is tested, as Clare (Negga) is married to a wealthy, racist white man, while Irene (Thompson) is married to a black man. Clare's husband John, unaware that Clare and Irene are black, openly degrades black people in front of them. Clare puts up with it in order to maintain her lavish lifestyle, but Irene is distressed by John's behavior and refuses to go along with it. Tensions rise throughout the film, causing lots of pain and difficulty for everyone involved.
The black and white imagery is a bit obvious considering the subject matter, but remains useful in conveying ideas about the conflicting experiences the characters have.