ReFocus: The Films of John Singleton

Critically re-evaluates the work of John Singleton, a celebrated Black American auteur whose work helped break a glass ceiling in Hollywood.

In 1992, John Singleton became the first Black filmmaker, as well as the youngest, to be nominated for the Best Director award at the Oscars. In the following decade, Singleton cemented his reputation as a Hollywood auteur who could move across genres while making critically acclaimed films that share a preoccupation with the triumphs and tribulations of Black life in America. And yet, Singleton’s films have received relatively little academic attention. ReFocus: The Films of John Singleton fills this scholarly vacuum. This collection of original chapters addresses Singleton’s treatment of gender and racial difference, the family, urban space, and traumatic histories; it also identifies sources of inspiration in both Hollywood and world cinema, as well as draws connections between his films and the work of Black American literary figures. This collection is an invaluable resource for the future of Singleton studies.