Good-HairCast : Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Al Sharpton
User Rating: 6.5/10
Running Time: 95 min
Directors : Jeff Stilson
Writers: Lance Crouther, Paul Marchand
produced : Jenny Hunter, Jeff Stilson
Release Date : 10/09/2009
Genre : Comedy, Documentary

Summary

In the movie School Daze, Spike Lee staged a dance number in which two bands of African-American college students debated the merits of “Straight and Nappy” hair in song, and now comedian Chris Rock and filmmaker Jeff Stilson have extended the conversation to a full-length film in this witty documentary with serious undertones. Rock says he was inspired to make the film when his young daughter asked him, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” and he and Stilson examine Black America’s obsession with their hair as they visit the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, an annual trade show for the African-American hair care industry which includes fierce competitions among stylists from around the country and demonstrations of new hair products and techniques. Along the way, Rock also talks to a number of African-American luminaries about their hair issues (including Maya Angelou, The Rev. Al Sharpton, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Ice-T and Paul Mooney), researches the dangers of many common hair straightening treatments, reveals the surprising expense of regular hair “relaxing” and weaves, and ponders what the pursuit of straight hair says about African-American cultural identity. Good Hair received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.