There’s a hair-raising film coming to Ottawa this week.
It features an issue is so widely discussed, so socially relevant and so fascinating, it won the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
It is a documentary about hair.
Good Hair, opening Nov. 27, is a deeply funny and insightful documentary, which examines the love-hate relationship that African-Americans have with their hair.
Funnyman Chris Rock serves as the film’s star and narrator. When his little daughter asks him “Daddy, why don’t I have good hair?” the comedian sets out to bring common sense to a prevalent beauty issue.
In black communities, straight hair is considered to be “good,” while natural (or “nappy”) hair is frowned upon, the film explains.
In the film, Rock discovers that the chemical relaxers used to straighten black hair is made of sodium hydroxide. This dangerous chemical could leave permanent bald spots once it seeps into one’s scalp.
Furthermore, he inquires into why many African-American women empty their wallets for a straight-hair weave, which can cost more than $1,000 for a full head.
Many of these weaves are cut off from Indian women in religious ceremonies. Rock discovers that removing one’s hair in India is an act of self-sacrifice.
The film also explains that while African-Americans equate to 20 per cent of the United States’ population, they purchase 80 per cent of all hair products.
To gain perspective on this “hairy” issue, Rock interviewed a plethora of celebrities: from Disney star Raven-Symoné Pearman to poet/author Maya Angelou, among others.
While the documentary primarily focuses on the relationship between African-Americans and their hair, dissatisfaction with appearance is a widespread issue that faces broader society.
For the film’s premiere Nov. 27, five esteemed members of Ottawa’s black community will partake in a panel discussion at the Bytowne Theatre.
The participants will use the film as the root of their discussion on the social, political and esthetic issues surrounding black hair.
The panel will be hosted by CBC radio personality Adrian Harewood.
Among the panel subjects is Dr. Amina Mire, a professor of sociology at Carleton.
The panel interview will take place immediately after the premiere screening that evening.