What to watch from The Cottage Cue
What to watch from The Cottage Cue
Documentaries for those in need of hope and stories of resilience.
Welcome to The Cottage Cue! The Cottage Cue is a free monthly roundup of entertainment like podcasts, TV, and books. Are you in need of a pick-me-up. Listen to the audio intro and keep reading for a list of inspiring documentaries.
An impactful memoir that speaks of hope and resilience is The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger. She writes of her experiences—particularly surviving the Holocaust—and her deep understanding of human resilience. She also explains that hope needs to be cultivated with intention and awareness.
What if we focus on positive possibilities to empower us to take move forward, even when the path seems uncertain? It’s not about ignoring the challenges, but about giving ourselves the strength to surpass troubling times. To instead “see the stars” within the darkness.
“come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed”
Lucille Clifton, Poet, Writer.
*listen to Lucille Clifton read her moving poem, “won’t you celebrate with me” here.
Here’s a little special documentaries edition from The Cottage- a curated list of comforting stories about real people and true events. Stories of possibilities that strengthen our human connections. Someone you know may appreciate an inspiring story about pushing through. Watch one (or a few) together. And please, leave a comment with your recommendations of documentaries, or series.
High on the Hog (series, Netflix)
Through storytelling, historical exploration, and cultural celebration, this series highlights the roots of soul food and the resilience of African-American communities.
In Our Mother’s Garden
The documentary In Our Mother's Garden (2021) by Sharon Liese is an intimate, and humous, collection of Black women’s lives and legacies. The cast includes Tarana J. Burke, Brittney Cooper, Tina Farris, and Dr. Kokahvah Zauditu-Selassie. Watch the film here.
20 Feet from the Stardom (Youtube TV, Prime, Roku)
20 Feet from Stardom tells the untold story of the backup singers who have supported and shaped the sound of countless iconic artists, including Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder. The documentary features in-depth interviews with several prominent Black backup singers, such as Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and Tata Vega.
Quincy(Netflix)
Quincy chronicles the life and legacy of the legendary music producer and composer Quincy Jones. Through personal interviews, archival footage, and personal stories, the film paints an intimate portrait of Jones’ career.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (Youtube)
The Pieces I Am is a documentary that explores the life and work of author and activist Toni Morrison. Through interviews, archival footage, and reflections from Morrison herself, the film explores into her impact on literature, race, and culture.
This film contains historical images and footage related to the civil rights movement.
And to inspire your writing, or motivate a stress relieving run, listen to Emeli Sandé’s 2016 album, Long Live The Angels here.
And leaving you with a photo of hope and pride from this moment in history when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2022. This is the perfect time to finish her memoir as I wanted to let her story linger with me.
I have an inspiring book recommendation for you Moore To Come by Tay Moore real events real life