African American Film Critics Association announces its top films of 2019

A day after the Golden Globes once again dissed Black actors, actresses, directors and films, The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) announced it has chosen Jordan Peele’s “Us” as its top film of the year.

AAFCA, which is the largest group of Black film critics in the world with members hailing from the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, also chose Peele for Best Director and Lupita Nyong’o for Best Actress in the film that has so far brought in more than $255 million worldwide, the Association announced in a press release.

“Jordan Peele continued to raise the bar in horror specifically and film overall,” AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson said in the announcement.

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“With ‘Us,’ he once again upended the horror genre. His centering of a Black nuclear family determined to survive in a complex storyline in a genre where Black family units have historically been unseen is extraordinary. He continues to push previously set boundaries with bold storylines that bring a refreshing perspective to cinema overall and the genre specifically. The film’s $255 million global gross is yet another example that inclusive filmmaking resonates big at the box office and it also resonated critically with our members who awarded the film with our highest honors.”

Robertson went on to exclaim over Lupita’s performance.

“Our Best Actress winner, Lupita Nyong’o put her craft in high gear by serving up double duty as both the lead protagonist and nemesis in “Us.’ Playing double duty allowed her to show even more range as an actor, putting her in an elite group of actresses who have helmed a successful box office film as the star.”

Eddie Murphy was also recognized as the organization’s Best Actor for his “amazing portrayal” in the Netflix movie “Dolemite Is My Name,” according to Robertson.

“We are thrilled to honor legend Eddie Murphy as Best Actor,” Robertson said in the release. “He is an icon whose genius has often gone unrewarded by ‘traditional’ and we couldn’t be more pleased that he receives this honor while paying homage to Rudy Ray Moore, another icon.”

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The top 10 films of 2019, as voted by association members via ballot, include:

1. “Us” (Universal Pictures)
2.  “Dolemite Is My Name” (Netflix)
3. “Just Mercy” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
4. “Clemency” (Neon)
5. “The Irishman” (Netflix)
6. “Queen & Slim” (Universal Pictures)
7. “Waves” (A24)
8. TIE “Parasite” (Neon) and “Atlantics” (Netflix)
9. The Farewell (A24)
10.  “Harriet” (Focus Features)

The AAFCA Awards ceremony will take place Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 at the Taglyan Complex, a banquet hall in Los Angeles. The awards are sponsored by Nissan, Morgan Stanley and Deadline.