DIA to Honor the History of Early Black Film With Its Upcoming Exhibition “Regeneration”

On February 4th, the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) will be debuting its newest exhibition Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971. Originally put together by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, this temporary addition to the museum will be both a celebratory and educational experience. Regeneration will feature almost 200 pieces of Black movie memorabilia including props, outfits, posters, and continuous screenings of early short films made by Black creators. The Detroit Film Theatre will also contribute to the project by hosting more than 20 movie nights playing classic Black films from the highlighted era.

“This critically important presentation chronicles much of what we know on-screen but shares so much more of what happened off-screen,” said Elliot Wilhelm, DIA Curator of Film. “Our community will learn how each generation of these pioneering actors and filmmakers paved the way for the following generation to succeed, and how they served as symbols and advocates for social justice in and beyond Hollywood. The museum’s beautiful Detroit Film Theatre will help share this history further with a wide-ranging film series that ties together the exhibition and Detroit’s own cinema history.”

Like the rest of the exhibits in the DIA, Regeneration Will be free to all residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. However, the exhibition will only be around till June 23rd. So if you wish to immerse yourself in this interesting and important part of Black history, make sure to stop by.