Acts of Love: Black Performance and the Kiss That Changed Film History

"This book doesn't just fill gaps in film history; it demands that we confront why those gaps existed in the first place. A fascinating read for lovers of film."—Ava DuVernay​

The rediscovery of the first film to depict African American affection revises the history of American cinema.

In 1898, vaudeville actors Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown joyously embraced in a short silent film titled Something Good—Negro Kiss. The first known film to portray African American affection, it was lost for ...