- Miss Juneteenth follows a mother’s journey to maintain traditions for her daughter, creating personal connections.
- Small Ax’s anthology showcases the diverse black experiences, from a trailblazing black police officer to a lively house party.
- Both films offer powerful examinations of identity, perseverance, and the wealth of the black diaspora.
From a parade in Texas celebrating freedom to a vibrant London house party with soundtracks of reggae classics, BOSSIP and Cassius’ latest episode of The black watch takes a global look at stories of the Black experience during this Juneteenth holiday.
Today, the brands released a new installment of their editorial series examining notable films and television projects through thoughtful discussions and cultural commentary.
The latest episode brings together BOSSIP Managing Editor Dani Canadaexecutive producer Serita Wesleyand comedian-writer Richard Jones for a conversation that focuses Mrs. Juneteenth and Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed anthology Small axe.
“We discuss films that span the Black experience around the world in today’s episode The black watchsays Dani at the start of the discussion. “Since it’s Juneteenth, we thought it would only be appropriate to revisit, or perhaps watch for the first time, films about the African-American celebration.”
The conversation starts with Mrs. JuneteenthChanning Godfrey Peoples’ critically acclaimed drama, starring Nicole Beharie as Turquoise Jones, a former beauty queen determined to give her daughter opportunities she never had.
Reflecting on the film’s spectacle-oriented storyline, Richard revealed that it struck a particularly personal chord.
“I was triggered,” he joked. “First of all, I’m from the South. I live in Memphis, Tennessee. Second of all, I grew up playing spark plug, okay? Jack and Jill, debutante ball…”
That confession quickly turned into one of the funniest moments of the episode when Richard delivered an impassioned rant about Maya Angelou’s iconic poem. Phenomenal womanwhich is prominently featured in the film.
“My deep contempt for Phenomenal womanRichard declared before reciting part of the poem from memory. “That poem could kiss my ass.”
However, Dani found herself sympathizing with Turquoise’s determination to maintain traditions she saw as important.
“Turquoise was very passionate about it Phenomenal womanDani commented. “My heart went out to her because her daughter was like, ‘I don’t get it.’”
Serita praised the emotional core of the film and the sacrifices at the heart of Turquoise’s journey.
“I like that it comes full circle, and you just have to see that it’s really about a mother’s love and what she was willing to do for her child,” she said.
The conversation later devolved into a discussion about Kendrick Sampson’s character, which drew both praise and playful frustration from the panel.
“Kendrick Sampson, oh my God. He pissed me off,” Dani joked. “You fine rogue, how dare you!”
“It’s those damn eyes,” she added.
Richard quickly agreed.
“I have a daughter, and the first thing I’m going to tell her is that you better pay attention to those light-skinned n****s with green eyes.”
In addition to the laughs, Richard also praised the film for avoiding what he called one of his least favorite storytelling pitfalls.
“I like that it was constantly teetering on the edge of poverty, which I hate,” he said. “I can’t stand poverty p***, and this managed to hit some of those tropes but not quite fall into that trap.”
Instead, he argued, the film succeeds because Turquoise remains a fully realized character rather than a symbol of struggle.
The panel also discussed whether Mrs. Juneteenth deserves a second look from audiences who may have overlooked it upon release.
“Overall, this movie was a bit of a sleeper,” Dani said. “I don’t know if it’s gotten enough press or if people have heard enough about it.”
“Absolutely,” Serita responded when asked if viewers should rewatch the film for Juneteenth. “I do.”
She also pointed to Nicole Beharie’s growing profile in Hollywood as another reason why the film feels ripe for rediscovery.
“I also think because the main character, Nicole, has definitely become more popular since the movie came out,” Serita explained. “The resolution is so great. The resolution is perfect.”
The discussion then shifts abroad as the panel returns to Steve McQueen Small axethe critically acclaimed anthology of five films about the lives of West Indian immigrants and their descendants in London.
“Now let’s switch gears and talk about another film that focuses on the black experience,” says Dani. “I want to talk about the anthology series Small axe which came out during the pandemic. It was directed by Black Brit director Steve McQueen.
When asked to pick a favorite episode, Serita emphasized Educationthe coming-of-age story about a young Caribbean boy who is wrongly pushed into a school for students considered less academically capable.
“My favorite was Educationshe said. ‘I loved it. I felt like I could do something with it.”
Serita revealed that the story resonated with her because of her own childhood experiences navigating the education system.
“As someone who at one point went to a school where they tried to tell my mother that she belonged in another class, not this class – and she said, ‘I wish you would’ – it was really nice to see Black women come together and fight for their children.”
“It struck a chord with me. It made me a little emotional.”
Richard selected Red, white and blue as his standout segment, praising John Boyega’s portrayal of Leroy Logan, one of London’s first black police officers.
“The episode that stood out to me the most was Red, white and blueRichard explained. “It was about this gentleman called Leroy, who was one of the first black police officers in London in the 80s.”
Richard was particularly fascinated by the character’s decision to join the institution that had brutalized his family.
“To combat corruption within that system, he decides to become a police officer despite his father’s disapproval,” he said.
The conversation also led to a broader discussion about how racism and police brutality extend beyond the United States.
“I had no idea,” Richard admitted. “We as Americans, especially Black Americans, think that racism is something that we unfortunately own. Police brutality is something that we own. We don’t understand that it is a universal phenomenon.”
“Absolutely,” Serita replied. “White supremacy cannot be stopped. It is certainly international.”
Richard also praised Boyega’s performance, calling it one of the actor’s strongest roles to date.
“To see him approach this role with a level of vulnerability that I’ve never seen him portray on screen before was just a beautiful thing to watch,” he said, later adding that he remains frustrated by the way Boyega was treated within the Star Wars franchise.
Dani’s favorite entry, however, was Lovers rockthe beloved section focused on a grand house party in 1980s London.
“My favorite, bar none, was Lovers rockshe said.
Dani praised the film’s depiction of black joy, community and the underground party culture that thrived as black Londoners were often excluded from white nightlife.
“They get the sound system, they get the food, they get all this great music,” she explained. “More than that, it’s really about the black joy they had at these house parties.”
She also noted that while the film captures romance and youthful energy, it never loses sight of the reality that made these spaces necessary.
“It really highlights what was happening at that moment and how they needed to have spaces to enjoy themselves where it was safe,” Dani said.
Ultimately, the panel agrees that both Mrs. Juneteenth And Small axe offer powerful explorations of identity, family, perseverance, and community, while highlighting the diversity of stories in the Black diaspora.
Watch the latest episode of The black watch below.
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