Ep. 145: Elvis Mitchell on Is That Black Enough for You?!?

Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw. I’m your host, Nicolas Rapold. Elvis Mitchell is a critic I read early on in my career, and with this episode, I was delighted to talk with him about his new movie, Is That Black Enough for You?!? Mitchell’s essay film is a rich and multilayered history of Black cinema, full of insights on micro and macro levels. We talked about the movie and follow the threads of his inspirations and ideas, which trace influences across film and music and crosscurrents in society and culture. He also relates encounters with Harry Belafonte and other luminaries that influenced his thinking. Our conversation took place during the New York Film Festival, where his film premiered, and at times reminded me of the flow of the movie itself.

Is That Black Enough for You?!? starts streaming on November 11 on Netflix. Elvis Mitchell has been the host of KCRW's The Treatment since its creation in 1996. During that time, he has served as a film critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The New York Times, and hosted the TV series "Elvis Goes There" on Epix and "Elvis Goes There" for Turner Classic Movies.

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Music: “Tomorrow’s Forecast” by The Minarets, courtesy of The Minarets

Photo by Steve Snodgrass