Common Sense Media Review
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Social roots of Black hair history get insightful attention.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Back to Natural: A Documentary Film
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BACK TO NATURAL: A DOCUMENTARY FILM looks at the history of Black hair and self-identity in BIPOC communities. Directed by Black clinical psychologist Dr. Gillian Scott-Ward, the documentary was inspired by her work and filmed within the United States, France, and South Africa. The documentary features interviews with experts on topics that include why Blacks are often discriminated against globally because of the way their hair grows naturally.
Is It Any Good?
This thoughtful and engaging documentary delivers a thorough chronicle of Black hair history and its global social impact. For South African actor and model Roxanne Kalie, it would be hair that would help partially define her teen years. "I'm in the 10th grade, I decided not to go to the salon," she says in Back to Natural: A Documentary Film. But Kalie painfully recalls, "I was made to sit on the floor next to my teacher's feet because she thought that I was trying to attract attention to myself…. This was me finding myself." Others remember getting their hair straightened often for an appearance acceptable by White mainstream society. As an excellent teaching tool for kids, teens, and adults about learning to embrace who you are and welcome diversity, Back to Natural: A Documentary Film is the real deal!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the communication by the cast in Back to Natural: A Documentary Film. How do they also demonstrate courage , perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Why may it be important for Blacks to celebrate their natural hair? Why do you think there is a social bias toward BIPOC women because of their hair?
Should kids and teens be expelled from school for wearing certain hairstyles? Why or why not? How can kids and teens learn to feel good about their natural hair?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 16, 2019
- Cast : Roxanne Kalie , Toby Thompkins , Beverly Tillery
- Director : Gillian Scott-Ward
- Studio : Dreamscape Media
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 65 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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