In 1860, the Clotilda became the last-known ship to transport African citizens to the Americas to be enslaved in the United States. It did so illegally, as the importation of enslaved people was banned by Congress in 1808. But though the ship was destroyed upon its arrival in Mobile, Alabama, its troubled legacy remains. The new documentary Descendant, directed by Margaret Brown and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s company Higher Ground, delves into the long-ignored history of the 109 enslaved persons on board through the perspectives of their descendants, many of whom still live in the Alabama community known as Africatown. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (Summer of Soul), a co-producer of the film, is among the ship's descendants.

As part of a new series at New York City’s Paris Theater, Brown shares five movies that have inspired her journey as a filmmaker, and helped shape the upcoming documentary. 

Everett Collection

The Act of Killing

What it’s about: Co-directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn and an Indonesian director who remains anonymous, this searing documentary tracks down participants in the mass killings that rocked Indonesia from 1965 to 1966. 

What she loves about it: “I walked out looking at the world differently. We all hope our films can do this with such poetry (and in this case, horror).”

Everett Collection

I Am Not Your Negro

What it’s about: Based on James Baldwin’s unfinished novel Remember This House, this film directed by Raoul Peck recounts the history of America through the lens of racial injustice. Samuel L. Jackson narrates. 

What she loves about it: “I Am Not Your Negro has the power to change hearts and minds. I don’t think essay films always have so much emotion but this one reaches deep.”

Everett Collection

Kahlil Joseph’s Process/Zora Neale Hurston

What it’s about: As the director behind Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Joseph knows how to showcase an artist’s soul. His 37-minute short film about musician and producer Sampha, which takes the viewer from London to Freetown in Sierra Leone, is the perfect example. Brown pairs this with the films of Zora Neale Hurston, the author and filmmaker whose work was pivotal to the making of Descendant. 

What she loves about it: “This double feature epitomizes our choices for Descendant —Process for the emotion and Steadicam and the Zora Neale Hurston films for the history in plain sight. Also her utterly brilliant and empathic camera work.”

Everett Collection

The Look of Silence

What it’s about: A man whose family died in the 1965 Indonesian mass killing finally confronts the perpetrators. Also directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, the 2014 film acts as a companion piece to The Act of Killing.

What she loves about it: “All of Oppenheimer's films question the rules. The Look of Silence is a masterful meditative view of trauma, silence and what it means to be a survivor in all its complexity.”

Everett Collection

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives 

What it’s about: Aphichatphong Wirasetthakun turns his lens on the idea of reincarnation in this drama about a man reexamining his past lives during his final days. 

What she loves about it: “I admire Uncle Boonmee for its use of sound to build mood and also the fearless editing. This film is not afraid to hold, forcing you to be patient, and that patience rewards.”

Buy your tickets for the Paris Theater’s Directors Select series here.