Movies and TV shows are frequently symbolized by the actors in them, with often no recognition for the hundreds of people behind the camera bringing their ideas to life. In the spirit of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight a very influential producer and director making groundbreaking art in the world of film.

Director Ryan Coogler has created some of the most prominent films of the 21st-century, but when asked around the school for the director behind movies like Black Panther, Sinners, and Creed, no one knew the answer.

Junior Natalie Bernal De Alba wanted to change this.

“He is someone we should all be talking about,” she said.

She goes into depth about one of Coogler’s most famous films, Sinners, that came out last year. 

“It has really stuck to me personally, I think it was an incredible movie, just showing, history intertwined with our present day. For example, one vampire is from Ireland. He says, ‘I’ve been persecuted my whole life, and I just want everyone to feel free.’ That’s something that a lot of people might see today and be reminded of how the Latino community is being persecuted by ICE.” 

She also highlights the importance of the representation of people of color in the movie industry.

“Me personally, I’m a big film nerd, a big film lover, and this is something I might want to do in my future. Seeing a director like Ryan Coogler, it’s just amazing to have someone to look up to in the industry, especially someone of your ethnicity or similar..” 

Natalie believes that Coogler an incredible artistand has proven by receiving the most Oscar nominations (16) in film history for his movie Sinners.