Within Our Gates

Boston teacher Sylvia Landry has her engagement broken thanks to rival Alma Pritchard so she moves back to her southern hometown of Piney Woods to work in an all-black school. When the school has financial problems, Sylvia returns to Boston to raise money and white doctor Vivian falls in love with her. Sylvia leaves again and the smitten Vivian turns to Alma to find her. Pioneering African-American director Micheaux didn't shy away from controversy and his powerful depictions of beatings, attempted rape, and lynchings are still shocking.