Oscar Micheaux: Independent Filmmaker

Born in 1884 Oscar Michaeux became the first African-American to film a full length productions for the entertainment of his black audience, as well as being an author and director.  It was quite far-fetched seeing a black director "challenge racial segregation" including other controversial topics like rape, interracial couples including others that were reluctantly brought up in conversation. All real life issues were introduced in his works such a innovative way. 

He is estimated to have "written, produced and directed more than 40 films from 1919 to 1948." Some of his most notable works are Within Are Gates, Body and Soul and The Homesteader. His movie The Exile, became the last of his productions he had finished and had the opportunity to include sound and screen his movie to not just his black audience, but towards whites for a change.   It was a big accomplishment seeing as how he was able to cross the separation between the two races that coexisted through his films.