Good Hair
Chris Rock's new documentary takes on an unlikely topic for the rangy comedian: African Americans and their hair. When his young daughter asks him why she doesn't have "good hair," Rock sets out to explore the massively profitable industry devoted to turning black hair into "good hair"--turning curly locks into straight, shiny ones by any means necessary. There's a wealth of material here, from a black hair-care convention in Atlanta (featuring an outrageous styling competition that's more music video shoot than haircut) to temples in India where supplicants shave their heads in religious ceremonies--hair that's then processed and sold in the US to be used in weaves. This is probably the only documentary that will ever feature Raven-Symoné and Maya Angelou interviewed on the same subject (Al Sharpton has a fair amount to say as well).
by Alison Hallett