Black Panther Woman

To mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party for Self Defence (1966 – 2016) Black History Studies presents a series of screenings that look at the role of women in the Black Panther Party in March 2016 for International Women's Month.

Black Panther Woman
A film by Rachel Perkins
Australia, 2014, 52 minutes

Black Panther Woman," director Rachel Perkins' documentary on the little known Brisbane chapter of the Black Panther Party, which was directly inspired by the American Black Panthers. In 1972 Marlene Cummins fell in love with the leader of the Australian Black Panther Party. With the break up of that relationship, she spiralled into a cycle of addiction that left her on the streets and vulnerable. Forty years later Marlene travels to a gathering of international Black Panthers in New York. The journey takes her back in time. Still struggling with addiction, she reveals the secrets she has held onto, to face her demons today.