MAJOR UPDATE
The Smithsonian Celebrates Black History
Smithsonian Channel
Watch Original Documentaries
The movie Green Book proved a powerhouse this awards season. The story of a budding friendship between an African American pianist (played by Mahershala Ali) and a white bouncer (played by Viggo Mortensen), the film took home best picture trophies at both major awards shows.
Green Book is doubly inspirational because it’s based in fact. If that’s news to you—or if you want to learn more—check out the revamped Smithsonian Channel app, which replaces (and consolidates) the previous Smithsonian Channel and Smithsonian Earth apps.
Here you can stream the of-the-moment documentary The Green Book: Guide to Freedom. From 1936 to 1966, “The Green Book” was an annually published guide to the hotels, restaurants, stores, and businesses that were safe for African Americans to visit in a segregated and often dangerous country.
The film traces crucial moments in the civil rights era and includes visits to remaining “Green Book” businesses, as well as interviews with living witnesses, prominent historians, and everyday people navigating life in a dangerously divided time.
You can stream the film for free. A subscription unlocks Smithsonian Channel Plus, which offers 1,000-plus hours of streaming content, as well as the Smithsonian’s vast library of nature and wildlife programming.
The app’s other Black History Month offerings include The Obama Years: The Power of Words, the aviation doc Black Wings, and The Lost Tapes episodes on Malcolm X and the Los Angeles riots.
This app works seamlessly with the TV app, which brings your movies, TV shows, and live sports together in one place.