About the Exhibition

The Significant Movies and Moviemakers gallery reopens with a three-gallery experience showcasing the classic drama Casablanca (1942), the groundbreaking film Boyz N the Hood (1991), and acclaimed documentarian Lourdes Portillo. 

The Boyz N the Hood gallery explores the movie's groundbreaking depiction of Black life in South Central Los Angeles as well as its lasting impact in popular culture. The space highlights writer-director John Singleton’s unique vision for the film, for which he became both the first African American and the youngest person ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. The gallery also spotlights the cast and crew–including Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, and Angela Bassett–showing the pivotal role the film played not only in their careers, but also for a new generation of Black talent in Hollywood.

The gallery includes rare production photos by D Stevens, costumes and props from the film, as well as ephemera from John Singleton’s personal collection. The gallery also features an original mural by Uber Lopez Enamorado and original location photos of South Central Los Angeles by Al Seib.

This gallery is curated by former Curatorial Assistant Esme Douglas with support from former Curatorial Assistant Manouchka Kelly Labouba.