Chris Rock is a funny guy, but I have to admit, when I heard that he was putting together an expose on African-American hairstyles I wondered if there was something I was missing. Could this subject really support a feature-length documentary? Apparently it can. Good Hair received decent reviews at Sundance and has since been picked up for distribution by Roadside Attractions.
The official trailer has arrived online and it looks charming, albeit not completely hilarious. The film is hosted by Rock and directed by Jeff Stilson, a former writer and producer for The Chris Rock Show, The Daily Show and Da Ali G Show. Look for it in select theatres on October 9th.
Please take a moment to check out my documentary film BLACK HAIR
It is free at youtube. 6 parts including an update from London, England.
It explores the Korean Take-over of the Black Beauty Supply and Hair biz..
Kinda like Madame C.J. Walker in Reverse….a tragic comedy.
I am not a hater, I am a motivator.
Plus I am a White guy who stumbled upon this, and felt it was so wrong I had to make a film about it.
Can it be taken back?
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
this was a fantastic doc! what a great way to discuss race. this was one of my favs this year for sure.
you cant be serious. i swear, they will make a movie out of anything. ridiculous.
It’s only ridiculous if you’re uninformed about the subject (which ostensibly is the point of doing a documentary). It’s not a “hair show” — it’s an examination of the political history of hair. Racialized concepts of beauty have widereaching social, cultural, and especially economic implications, which is why it took Vogue magazine 80 years to put a black woman on the cover.
Anything by this man rocks. I haven’t seen the doc yet, but I know I will not be disappointed. It was about damn time some one addressed this subject of HAIR…..
I would like to say Awesome Job.I have always wondered why black men and women always try to straighten the beautiful kinky hair they have. Who says straight hair is better than kinky hair? I think I know why…because we have allowed the white man to set standards for us.They say jump and we jump.They say our hair is ugly and we accept and start trying to make it look like the white mans’.They say our skin complexion is ugly and start looking for skin lighteners to make it look like the white man’s.
Thank you Chris for starting this awareness.We need to start from here and move on to other aspects.
Tnak you and good job
I am so glad in my family that the concepts of “good hair” vs “bad or kinky hair” was never mentioned. We were brought up to accept tht all hair is good because as long you had some it was doing it’s job by keeping your head warm. The idea of putting a perm in a two yrshead in myfamily just does not happen in my family. All the women in my family didn’t start relaxing their hair until they became adults. I, myself, hace gone back towearing a natural and I love it.
The documentary, but did it need to be released to all of the world. Why can’t this be a discussion just among Black people? I can say I don’t have these conversations with my co-workers.
This is hilarious. We should be able to laugh about everything. And we should be able to talk COMFORTABLY about anything and everything too. I love it!
We should be able to laugh about everything. We should be able to talk about anything and everything too. I love it!
Looks like it will be great
I love this documentary! more sistas need to start coming out and revealing the truth that all that weave is not their hair!! Now why is Beyonce still perpetrating like all that shit is her hair????
Havent seen the doc yet. I can say that I am glad to see someone addressing the facts about the industry, its target population and who profits the most from it. One thing that may be missed is that white women too are now starting to wear extentions and weave…this makes it even more interesting! I hope someone will make light of the asians come up over the past 20 years with the acrylic nails – they have really set the stage for this trend too. What next????
Wow, I’m lookin forward to seeing this. I remember tryna explain to ignorant people the difference between my natural hair and Beyonce and Ciara and whoever else in hollywood. They use to ask me “How come your hair doesn’t grow out like such and such hair?” I said becasue there wearing weave, and they were crucifying me becasue my hair wasn’t long, straight and flowing like on TV. I hated that growing up. They didn’t understand how african american hair is different from their hair and our hair doesn’t grow as fast becasue our hair natually curls up. I hope this movie sheads some light on this topic!!!
I have always rejected the terminology “good hair” as I’ve heard it referred to my hair all my life. I always wanted hair that could be straighted so I can have all the different styles instead of the ponytail I’ve always sported. I’ve never had a perm and am 49 y.o. and hate my hair. So go head with your terms for good hair cuz I hate mine and would love kinky hair. Since weave came into play I’m told I have wet and wavy or anything but what my natural hair is. I can’t figure out why anyone would weave hair like mine in their head. People need to just be grateful that they have hair the alternative sux.
I think this is all quite interesting, and it was an issue long before Chris Rock opened his eyes to what is important to Black women. But I think we have to separate the issues that overlap here. Beauty is important to all women (and men) and people of all races do extreme things to attain the look they want. White and Asian women use hair extensions, falls, wigs, and chemical processes just as much as Black women. In fact, I think a weave is safer and less drastic than breast implants or liposuction, which are how many women are coping with the pressure to look beautiful when society doesn’t accept women’s natural bodies as a standard of beauty anymore. The issue, therefore, is not that Black women are spending a fortune and using artificial means to enhance their beauty, most women in the western world are doing it, too. The issue is racism–or racial supremacy. Why are we transforming our ethnic features to impersonate another group? Why aren’t we using hair weaves that look like Angie Stone instead of Jessica Simpson? The answer to that is simple and obvious, and it doesn’t take a documentary to point it out. But I hope the movie is good.
Ok,Chris Rock made a documentary on hair because his daughter came to him crying about her hair – its not black women’s fault she doesn’t like her own hair- It’s her FATHER’S fault for passing his genes on to her!!! I am a Black woman and not all of us, contrary to popular belief, hate our hair. I love my hair and the texture of it. If the little girl doesn’t like the texture of her hair, its not society who “brainwashed” her into thinking her hair is bad – if she doesn’t like her hair she went to the right source – Rock for giving it to her! LOL! I thank my parents for giving me strong, thick, hair. My hair is not Black, my hair is not White, my hair is not Asian – it is MY hair. It comes out of my scalp. And because I love myself and have great self esteem, I love MY hair and can do with it WHATEVER I please. So give me a break Rock – your daughter is pissed at you for your genes, not because she is a African American with a coarser texture of hair – she just doesn’t like YOUR hair….lol. Now think about that one. And ladies, continue to do with your hair whateve you please – its just like a wardrobe – sometimes you want to carry this purse and other days you are in a mood to carry another one. Hair is our ultimate accessory to express how we’re feeling at the moment and if I want to wear it natural, relaxed, with color, with an extension peice then that’s what I feel like doing. Do you ladies and don’t let anyone tell you you have bad hair – unless your dad actually gave you bad hair – then confront his a$$ and tell him so- and if he’s like Chris Rock, he will go and make a movie because he doesn’t like what HE gave you! Not all Black Americans hair textures are the same – it ranges from individual to individual.
Re Madame on: “White and Asian women use hair extensions, falls, wigs, and chemical processes just as much as Black women.”
What?!!? I mean, white and Asian women have naturally straight hair. So, there is a big difference. They are embracing love for what is natural for them. If black women were putting afro puffs in their hair and trying to look more black,I could see.
Now, I agree that part of this is just style but it does go back to our valuing European culture and appearance over others in America.
To just admit that this is an issue is the first step towards a better understanding of how deep racism is in America…
OMG!! Chris Rock has manage to make black women the laughing stock of the free world. White people are excited to find out what we do with our hair, they can not wait to get to the theatre to laugh at our efforts to be beautiful. Because a woman is borned with short kinky hair does not mean it will she will be beautiful with it on her head. Sometimes to soften your features and looks straight hair works, we all do not look like Hallie Berry. If a white person has a big nose and have it fixed to look better is that ok? I find this film extremely degrading. I will never support Chris Rock again. So did he help his daughter, or embarrassed his wife who also wears a weave. I find him to be a bit stupid…….
If any women on this board says Chris Rock is wrong then they have ISSUES. AD NICHOLS said its Chris Rock’s fault for his daughter hair, well that true but people want to makes excuses and dog CHRIS ROCK for this, I’m GLAD he did this documentary because its something that was needed. Cut the BULLXXXX with that same lame excuse its the ULTIMATE ACCESSORY… VAIN GLORY, you should be ashamed of yourself! What are we teaching the next generation???? Do a survey….ask say 20 black men about black women and weave and they will talk you under the table, they are SICK of the weave!
I haven’t seen the movie yet. From the little clip I can get a good idea as to what the movie is about in its entirety. As a black woman who has never had a relaxer and never will nor one that has ever worn a weave I’m not exactly sure how to take the documentary. In one way as a black woman with black family and friends I totally can relate to the relaxers and at times getting hair pieces. However as a black woman who has never used any of these products on my own hair its a little annoying. It makes me feel like he’s saying all black woman use relaxers and wear weaves to attain a certain beauty. It is so not true in my case and I think thats why I was slightly annoyed by it. Not all black women use these products on their hair so why is it that whenever a black person wants to talk about what they consider “black issues” they identify the entire race. There are many of us who wear our natural hair. I’ll also admit I have very curly soft hair, that I receive compliments on daily by whites, asians, hispanics, and my black peers, everyone. So no I don’t have an afro. So some may say I don’t have a real opinion about the issue. I’ve been told by my black peers on many occasions when speaking about hair care and relaxers and the black struggle that I didn’t belong in those conversations because I don’t understand the hair issue. At the end of the day I didn’t choose what I’d look like. At the same time I don’t want some man putting a documentary out that includes an entire race of people that he doesn’t know. And for the record Chris Rock and his wife should have been talking to their daughter about her hair from infancy. Telling her her hair is beautiful before she had to come home and mention it. In ending the term “good hair” has always made me sick and annoyed me terribly. When I hear that term being directed at me I become terribly insulted. I think good hair is beautiful hair no matter what the texture.
Re:Jan
“What?!!? I mean, white and Asian women have naturally straight hair. So, there is a big difference. They are embracing love for what is natural for them. If black women were putting afro puffs in their hair and trying to look more black,I could see.”
From that comment you don’t seem to be aware of what other people in other races to do their hair. I’ve met plenty of white and asian woman that put permannent straightening techniques in their hair to attain that straight look or wavy look. I’ve seen this on multiple occasions. So not only do some woman of other races add hair pieces they also chemically staighten their hair. Little education on white, asian, indian races many of them have curly hair. I’m not sure why it seems that everyone thinks these particular races of women all have straight hair but they don’t. The only difference is their not using black hair products for permanant straightening, they have their own stuff. OH and they also don’t make documentaries about it either, thats another huge difference….
This so called documentary is ment to degrade black women, give the world something to laugh about, and make chris rock rich at the black woman’s expense. Do not think he has your best interest in mind just look at his wife’s hair.
I’m glad he made this docmentary, so people can really understand our hair. Too much really has been put into our hair. It all about preference really and your experience.
If you like your hair other ways, that ok too but now, people will know how much you put into it to look that good and how much you have went through, which is a process I must admit.
So, lets educate the world as well ourselves. I didn’t know where the hair came from, and that alone would have stop me.
For me, I have had every style you could mention. dyed, fryed, permed (but after I got burn so many times from bad perms, that was it for me), sewn,glued,braided and natural, which is my preferensce. To much maintence has to go into other styles an not to mention the money.
As a little girl, I thought something was wrong with me because my hair was not straight and silky so I understand where he’s coming from. I like me and everything that god gave me, he thought I was special and create this vision of me. I want argue with that. To me, natural is beautiful, because nothing is added and its in raw form. You get what you see, thats beauty As a adult and much older woman I learned that its good to be me. HAPPY AND NAPPY WITH SISTERLOCKS.
When Chris rock teeth were jacked up, he fixed them. He wanted to look good. Women want to look good also, it’s a fashion statement. Folks really need to start being a little more positive about their race. Blacks love to put each other down. So the other race can have a good laugh. Then you get mad.
I never realized just how significant hair is to a woman until my mom got breast cancer and lost all her hair. Regardless of race, we should all be grateful for what the good Lord gave us.
Movie was really about permed, processed or strait hair. He interviewed no womeh who wear locks or twists. A low was left out of this movie.
I haven’t seen the doc. yet but I KNOW that this is a subject that many black women are scared to face because they don’t know what to expect from other people. When women have their own natural beautiful kinky hair other black women sometimes frown upon it as if their hair is not done. God blessed us with this hair so why put chemicals in your hair to change that? Well Im in transition now from relaxed to natural and already see a difference in my hair. It is so much healthier, thicker, and longer. Yes it is a process but if you want it bad enough the process is worth the wait. P.S- THINK ABOUT IT…… WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON YOUR SCALP THAT YOUR HAIRSTYLIST DOESN’T EVEN ALLOW TO GET ON HER HANDS (GLOVES)???? hmmmmmmm
Blah, blah, blah, at the end of the day only women really care about their hair. To all the Women reading this, men don’t really care about your hair!(up top)as long as it’s there! As for whats down there, less is usually better!
Personally I do not think any black women should give a rats @ss what black men think of their hair…they chose white, latino, asian over black anyday regardless and the ones that do have black women they cheat on them like dogs…I have heard black men put women down about their hair while drooling over white womens hair…so I say to hell with them…white men do not trip about a black womens hair and that is why more black women are chosing other races versus black men…black women would not try to go for the Euro beauty standard if black men were not so admiring of the white standard…even the black men that have black women these women usually look mixed or very light…because that is what men think is the best. Disgusting…be free sisters no matter what you want to do with your hair it should not be for a black man’s sake…they hate weaves…so are you going to change what you want because they do not like it?? I few years ago they was complaining how they hate braids…who the eff cares what a black man likes or doesn’t like…aint nothing going on but the rent ladies…these losers can let the white girls that pay they bills have ‘em.
I can’t wait to see the documentary. I think Chris Rock is hilarious. I also, probably like other white women had no idea what black woman went through to have straight hair. On Opera, it was said that white woman dye there hair and don’t really know the color of there real hair-very true. So, we are all doing these things to ourselves to look a certain way and to feel a certain way. We really all need to just be ourselves or not. Whatever we want and feel good about it!
I am a white guy married to a black woman. first I would like to say that it seems like it is black people who are telling other black people that their skin is too dark or that their hair is “bad”. I would like to start by saying that black is beautifull and there is nothing more sexy than a beautifull black woman with an afro. I remember finding a book when I was a boy that had a picture of an african woman and I pointed this out to my mother and told her I thought the woman was pretty and my mother replied to me that yes black people are a very beautifull race. I wish that more black people would embrace their beauty rather than tease those who are darker or have thicker hair. If everyone starts trying to look like what is on TV then we lose natural beauty as a society and become fake wannabes with no soul.
It’s the black race’s best kept secret and Chris Rock let the cat out of the bag – does he honestly think that everyone else who did not develop a similar expose was just stupid? That said I have been wearing an afro the last 8 weeks and I was 30minutes later for work than when I keep my hair braided with extensions. Further more I am tired of black people being their own worst critics – we deserve everything history has shoved at us – we’ll never learn the benefits of cohesion that seems to come more naturally to other races…and I don’t think we deserve to.
I think all of you sound nuts, its just a documentary, some people will find it funny, some wont; in reguards to race, I think you all should be happy that for once you dont have to watch some depressing shit about how hard done by a certain race or gender are and just sit back relax and watch something a little different. And really…it wasnt that big a secret.
It was a good movie, I was interested, it went deeper than I thought it would but I would have liked to see more; like Black women aren’t the only ones wearing weaves, or getting perms or willing to cut you if you touch their fake, expensive hair. Also I would have love for him to at least touch on people with mixed hair b/c that’s where things really get heated and especially now that it seems everyone is just mixing about. And he said nothing about full wigs…it would have been awesome if he had interviewed Wendy Williams. Another thing, it would have been nice if he also went to Africa and seen real African hair b/c almost no ones hair is totally untouched anymore, almost everybody has done something to their hair to make it more manageable even if it’s still not considered ‘good hair’ and sometimes perms make hair worse off than before. He hit on good points and topics but for him to have made a movie he barely scratched the surface in my opinion
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