I Am Not Your Negro

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I Am Not Your Negro

PG-13

2017

1h 33m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

99%

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210 Reviews

83%

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10,000+ Ratings

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.

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Critics Consensus

I Am Not Your Negro offers an incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin's crucial observations on American race relations -- and a sobering reminder of how far we've yet to go.

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Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino

Bitch Media

Feb 18, 2021

It's an undeniably excellent film and a much-needed tribute to both Baldwin and the racial politics of the 1960s and ʼ70s... The only shortcoming of Peck's film is its almost complete erasure of Baldwin's homosexuality.

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Linda Marric

The London Economic

Jul 31, 2020

5/5

Its themes are as important today as they were yesterday, especially in the current climate of radical right-wing ideas and racist sentiment sweeping Trump's America.

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Bilge Ebiri

Spirituality & Health

Mar 23, 2020

Baldwin's fury and his despair come through in vivid fashion, making this film not just an important social document, but an essential work of art.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Sep 4, 2023

5/5

This outstanding and informative film presents Baldwin’s musings alongside sobering imagery of both the turbulent history of the era and parallel occurrences of modern racial unrest that echo the same violence, inequality, anger, and sorrow.

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Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

May 16, 2023

I Am Not Your Negro avoids gratuitous lamentation both in form and substance. [Full review in Spanish]

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Michael Cuby

them.

Oct 3, 2022

Though it may limit discussion of Baldwin’s sexuality to a singular passing reference, the 2017 documentary still offers an essential and compelling peek into one of our nation’s most impressive minds.

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Patricia

Jun 20, 2023

James Baldwin very thoughtfully and powerfully described what life means for him as a black person in the United States.

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Amulet17

Aug 21, 2022

This is a powerful and articulate film that will stir the heart of anyone with a passion for social justice. Its raw and if you are open its likely to pierce your conscience or make you more conscious or both. Yay for James Baldwin

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Jens B

@Jens97 Jul 29, 2026

I could have listened to Jackson reading Baldwin for much longer. *I Am Not Your Negro* was recommended to me back when I attended a seminar on the media representation of lynchings in the former Southern states, and I have finally watched it. I particularly appreciated the editing and the essayistic style. However, I would have liked more concrete details about Baldwin’s life, given that he is—at least in my view—unfortunately only truly appreciated within academic circles. Including such details might have made it easier for a broader audience to connect with the film, which, while occasionally laying it on a bit thick, is nonetheless well worth watching.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Apr 21, 2026

Rated PG-13 for Disturbing Violent Images, Brief Nudity, Language and Thematic Material.

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Karen C

@jaysherman472 Dec 26, 2025

A powerful documentary.

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David K

@RT61474040 Jun 27, 2025

I kept this film in the queue for months not wanting to watch another documentary about a period in American history I remember all too well. But, as is YouTube TV's design, it was going away the next day. At first, it seemed like another retread, but as I watched, the elegance of Mr. Baldwin's words took it (and me) to another place. Simply one of the best.

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Raoul Peck

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Narrator

James Baldwin

Writer

Rémi Grellety

Producer

Raoul Peck

Producer

Hébert Peck

Producer

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Synopsis

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.

Director: Raoul Peck
Producer: Rémi Grellety, Raoul Peck, Hébert Peck
Screenwriter: James Baldwin
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures, Amazon Studios
Production Co: RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, Velvet Film, Artemis Productions, Arte France, RTBF, Close Up Films
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Violent Images|Brief Nudity|Language|Thematic Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.1M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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