Becoming Black
Synopsis
In the 1960s, a white couple living in East Germany tells their dark-skinned child that her skin color is merely a coincidence. As a teenager, she accidentally discovers the truth. Years before, a group of African men came to study in a village nearby. Sigrid, an East German woman, fell in love with Lucien from Togo and became pregnant. But she was already married to Armin. The child is Togolese-East German filmmaker Ines Johnson-Spain. In interviews with Armin and others from her childhood years, she tracks the astonishing strategies of denial her parents, striving for normality, developed following her birth. What sounds like fieldwork about social dislocation becomes an autobiographical essay film and a reflection on themes such as identity, social norms and family ties, viewed from a very personal perspective.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Ines Johnson-Spain
Self
Armin Gundermann
Self
Madeleine Papangou Johnson
Self
Germaine Papangou Johnson
Self
Geneviève Papangou Johnson
Self
Irène Papangou Johnson
Self
Christel Anders
Self
Werner Anders
Self
Rosi Judisch
Self
Christophe Kuessi Johnson
Self
Michael Gundermann
Self
Raymond Johnson
Self
Perpétue Johnson
Self
Asiaba Johnson
Self
Gisela Mwaungulu
Self
Ernst Hoffmann
Self
Robert Kuessi Johnson
Self
Ruben Kweku Dabam Johnson
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
Internationales Frauenfilmfestival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ines Johnson-Spain
- Screenplay & Story
- Ines Johnson-Spain
- Original Score
- Jean-Paul Bourelly
- Original Title
- Becoming Black
- Country of Origin
- Germany
- Spoken Languages
- German, French
- Runtime
- 1h 31m
- Production Studios
- ZDF, Kobalt Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ines Johnson-Spain
Ines Johnson-Spain
Jean-Paul Bourelly
Yana Höhnerbach
Anahita Nazemi, Katrin Sandmann, Stefan Mathieu
Department Leadership Roster
Ines Johnson-Spain
Writer
Anahita Nazemi
Producer
Ines Johnson-Spain
Director
Yana Höhnerbach
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Becoming Black.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming Black
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Becoming Black about?
In the 1960s, a white couple living in East Germany tells their dark-skinned child that her skin color is merely a coincidence. As a teenager, she accidentally discovers the truth. Years before, a group of African men came to study in a village nearby. Sigrid, an East German woman, fell in love with Lucien from Togo and became pregnant. But she was already married to Armin. The child is Togolese-East German filmmaker Ines Johnson-Spain. In interviews with Armin and others from her childhood years, she tracks the astonishing strategies of denial her parents, striving for normality, developed following her birth. What sounds like fieldwork about social dislocation becomes an autobiographical essay film and a reflection on themes such as identity, social norms and family ties, viewed from a very personal perspective.
Who directed Becoming Black?
Becoming Black was directed by Ines Johnson-Spain.
Who stars in Becoming Black?
The principal cast of Becoming Black includes Ines Johnson-Spain, Armin Gundermann, Madeleine Papangou Johnson, Germaine Papangou Johnson, Geneviève Papangou Johnson.
When was Becoming Black released and how long is it?
Becoming Black was released in 2019 with a total runtime of 1h 31m.
Who composed the musical score for Becoming Black?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Becoming Black was composed by Jean-Paul Bourelly.