How Jack Became Black

Play trailer

How Jack Became Black

Released Jun 1, 2018

1h 24m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The recent births of Jack and June, the third multiracial generation in filmmaker Eli Steele's family, coincided with a startling projection: by the year 2050, at least 20 percent of all Americans will self-identify as two or more races. What will this fate mean to a nation that has been tormented by race throughout its history? Born to a black father and a Jewish mother, Steele has long battled the forces of identity politics, from college campuses to places of employment.

Chauncey K. Robinson

People's World

[The movie] presents many questions, provides a few conclusions, and ultimately adds to the complex discussion of race in America.

Oct 11, 2018

Full Review

Christian Toto

HollywoodInToto.com

Subversive in the very best of ways.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 2, 2018

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

I recommend this film not because I agree or disagree with Steele's premise and conclusions, but because of his honesty, his guts to challenge politically-correct ideas, and the thought-provoking questions he asks.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 2, 2018

Full Review

Harvey S. Karten

Big Apple Reviews

Thought-provoking documentary made by a man of mixed race who objects to applications asking for race or ethnicity.

Rated: B+

May 29, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Very well written and produced. Provides an emerging perspective on race that needs to grow in a way that still respects the fight for justice and equal rights. The last half of a star was not given because it did not provide for a method for that fight to proceed in a post identity politic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

ha i have not seen the moie but form the tittle it looks racis and bad im only 5 sorry

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

americans need to see documentaries like this. most have no idea how government at all levels forces people into inaccurate and unwanted "racial" classifications.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Highly recommend this movie to challenge your thinking about identity politics and how it's unintended consequences. We live in a culture that is obsessed with putting people into categories based race, gender, and religion rather than focusing on people as individuals. It's kind of amazing that we live in a society where we are told that there is an infinite number of genders that you could be, but you must choose a race that is one of five categories.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A powerful and incisive look into the danger of embracing identity politics. You'll never look at race the same way again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great and powerful film. There is nothing like it out there. Most films on race talk down to you. This one doesn't. This is our future, America, and we better get talking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Eli Steele

Director

Justin Gordon

Voice

Eli Steele

Screenwriter

Eli Steele

Producer

J.M. Bartelt

Cinematographer

Kimby Caplan

Cinematographer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

The recent births of Jack and June, the third multiracial generation in filmmaker Eli Steele's family, coincided with a startling projection: by the year 2050, at least 20 percent of all Americans will self-identify as two or more races. What will this fate mean to a nation that has been tormented by race throughout its history? Born to a black father and a Jewish mother, Steele has long battled the forces of identity politics, from college campuses to places of employment.

Director: Eli Steele
Producer: Eli Steele
Screenwriter: Eli Steele
Production Co: Man of Steel Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2018
Runtime: 1h 24m