Product Details

• Actors: Rose Bloomfield, Bruno Marcotulli, Poetri, Brian Sparks, Nicholas Sparks
• Producers: Eric Mofford, Jason Cornwell, Keith VanderLaan, Nisa Ahmad, Sarah N. Crouthamel
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: September 12, 2006
• Run Time: 273 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000G6BL74
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,623 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Black. White. tackles race relations in a perilously cosmetic way: A white family and a black family are made up as the opposite race, then have to live together to discuss and argue about their experiences. But though the show can hardly be called a rigorous analysis, it's striking how complicated even a skin-deep treatment of race becomes. Bruno, father of the white Wurgel family, is deeply entrenched in his belief that racism can be countered by any individual who approaches people with respect and openness; Brian, head of the black Sparks family, grows increasingly committed to opening Bruno's eyes to the racism that, when people think that Brian is white, becomes all the more naked. Carmen, overcompensating in her desire to join the black world, calls Renee an offensive name, thinking that it's a friendly African-American term. The kids--white Rose and black Nick--dive into deeper waters: Rose, whose makeup is perhaps the most convincing, joins an all-black slam poetry class, while Nick (who resists taking part in the exercise at all) takes an etiquette class for wealthy white teens. Many of the efforts to partake of the opposite culture are cliche (Renee, seeking whiteness, joins knitting and scrapbook classes), while others are laughable (Bruno makes a mid-life rap video). But even these demonstrate the interpersonal complexity of race and culture; as Renee tries to speak the same language as the knitters, the gap seems almost insurmountable--until Renee hits it off with the woman who runs the scrapbooking class and genuine communication starts to arise. Black. White. would be particularly appropriate for starting conversations with teenagers, as Rose and Nick are the most engaging "characters"--Rose is articulate about what she's going through, particularly when she decides to reveal her true race to the rest of her poetry class. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description
What's it like to live in someone else's skin? Find out by watching this fascinating documentary series in which the African-American Sparks family (Brian, Renee and 16-year-old Nick) trades places with the Caucasian Wurgel family (Bruno, Carmen and 17-year-old Rose) thanks to an incredible visual transformation created by Hollywood make-up artists. The two families agree to share a home for the duration of a six-week social experiment that will challenge their beliefs and core values in ways they could have never imagined. Their unscripted experiences are often explosive, always intriguing and ultimately insightful...resulting in a totally unique cultural perspective that's anything but black-and-white!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fascinating, October 16, 2006

By	Phil T. Miller "Phil" (Midland, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An intriguing look at issues of race. Take a black family and turn them white. Take a white family and turn them black. Put them in a house to live together for the duration of the experiment, and place them into various situations (some, very racially charged) and watch as both races move slowly toward the center,

The first couple of episodes may cause you to form opinions on several of the participants, but stay with it. You will find that people can and do change their perspectives, even on topics as hot as race. The one who found a place in my heart was Rose, and I suspect you may grow attached to her as well. The other players have personalities that seem to be works in progress, but this seems to be a good thing, which adds to my fascination. I am awarding 5 stars only because it is worthy of 4 and a half but no such option exists.

Give this one a try and you may find that it is something you will want to share with your children. There is however some language that you may find inappropriate for younger viewers. Although most of the harsher language has been bleeped, more sensitive parents may find what is left to be too offensive.

4.0 out of 5 stars Black/White DVD -- Using it to teach at an inner city H.S., May 9, 2009

By	Joseph B. Cumberland - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was very pleased to receive this product just as it was promised at a very reasonable price. I am very glad to have found the DVD since I was using Netflix and since I show only a few clips a day owning the DVD is great.

4.0 out of 5 stars Confronting!, February 13, 2009

By	Jan Van Drooge (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We Dutch people are pretty far in excepting other people's religion, colour, tradtions, etc. etc. So, it really struck me that the black vs. white issue is still so vived in the US! Wanne see what I mean?! Watch it!!!