My first introduction toDr. Maya Angelou was in middle school. While watching the film adaptation of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I absorbed the images of poorer black people in the deeply segregated South. Before seeing Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, I merely understood herto be a celebrated author, a poet, and an eloquent speaker with a steady, luscious voice. But after watching the new PBS documentary, I walked away understanding who Dr. Angelou as a person: her sensuality, her talents, her travels, her tragedies, and her triumphs.The documentary, which premieres on PBS tonight as part of the network's Black History Month programming, guides viewers from Angelou's childhood through her journey to motherhood—the former of which many people are familiar with due to the book and film adaptation of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.Through rare archival footage and photographs, the documentary delves into more personal details of Angelou's world, including her marriagesand her notable close friends like James Baldwin and Langston Hughes. Still I Rise also touches on her activism and her artistic talents as an entertainer. By the time the film is over, it has become clear that Angelou lived multiple lives in one lifetime.The documentary unpacks key plot points of each of those lives, but not in a way that merely lists her many accomplishments. Instead, it provides a well-rounded, in-depth depiction of Angelou. The film, which originally was supposed to be 90 minutes long, spends about two hours humanizing Angelou, showing everything from her travels to her struggles as a single mother and a victim of sexual abuse."Pulling it all together was a challenge," said director Rita Coburn Whack. "I wanted more than anything for people to see her as a whole person—her frailties, her strengths—so that you knew that this is something you could do." Still, as Whack and co-director Bob Hercules narrowed down the footage into a cohesive narrative, they noted they weren't able to include everything, like small details such as Angelou's love of country music. Advertisem*nt
But Hercules and Whack, who had both had professional relationships with the celebrated author—and in Whack's case, got to know the family—developed a friendship that became critical for making a film that did Angelou's story justice. Whack, a former producer on Angelou's talk show on Oprah Radio, spent a great deal of time with Angelou, often sitting with her as she talked or drafted books. Hercules said he first came across Angelou's writing in while in college and later got the chance to work with her on a separate project.And Still I Rise follows the recent documentary I Am Not Your Negro and airs on the anniversary of Malcolm X's assassination. And though Whack and Hercules were unaware of Raoul Peck's movie about James Baldwin—nor did they intentionally choose this release date—it's divine coincidence that these all coincide. The film mentions Angelou's friendship with Baldwin and Malcolm X—as well as Martin Luther King Jr.—each of whom influenced Angelou's writing and activism. The inclusion of these profound figures provides even more historical context forAngelou's effortsas a protester and coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Advertisem*nt
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