Respected artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph brings us his latest project, BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions, after years in the making. You might recall the project has gone through a bit of change, as it was originally set to premiere at Sundance, but was pulled from the line-up at the request of the financer, and then reinstated. If Joseph’s name sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve heard it when the topic of Beyoncé’s Lemonade TV Special was released, as he is the director. If not that, then he is also responsible for the short film from Kendrick Lamar for good kid, m.A.A.d city. This time, he enlists the help of a handful of established Black scholars to assist him with co-writing duties in a way that adapts many different styles of visuals. What can best be described as an experience rather than a film, BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions is a compelling form of art that is at the peak level of storytelling. Most of the film is done without voiceover, just vibrant photos and footage left to speak for themselves, and boy, are they loud.
Imagine you put on an album and instead of letting it play from beginning to end, you hit shuffle. Let’s take it a step further by throwing in the idea that this is a mixed CD you’ve made with all your favorite songs. The way Terms and Conditions plays out is exactly that; the styles and sounds of different artists are all married together to form one feel-good piece designed to educate the viewer without losing their interest. Through a series of melodies that span decades, to footage from news broadcasts, TV shows, movies, and music video clips, we are taken on a journey of reflection. We tap into E. B. Du Bois’ unfinished Africana: Encyclopedia for African and African American Experience that flashes to scenes of a NY Times journalist (Shaunette Renée Wilson) who boards a cruise ship called The Nautica. Our attention is caught when we see glimpses of notable Black faces like Phyllicia Rashaad, Jimi Hendrix, Arnesio Hall, Jackie Robinson, and even memorable moments in our history, such as the Million Man March and Barack Obama becoming the first African American president of the United States.
BLKNWS starts off with a disclaimer mentioning that it isn’t a documentary. That’s important to note, as it doesn’t feel like a standard film, so labeling it is still something I have yet to do. Some shots act sort of like chapters in a book that give an intro of what’s to come. These graphics add to the visuals and reel you back in, as things can admittedly feel a bit messy and chaotic at times. There are even a few recognizable memes sprinkled in there, which is a perfect touch, seeing how “Black Twitter” is truly a world of its own (well, we’re moving away from that platform, but it’s still a solid reference). At one point, there’s a clip of a viral moment between a Black couple that has become quite popular on social media over the years. The wife asks her husband, “Why do you love me?”, to which he gives a beautiful and thought-out response that begins with, “It’s a simple question, but it isn’t a simple answer.” I enjoyed the inclusion of this clip because it’s a strong representation of true love, which runs deep in our culture. Definitely a clip worthy of going viral as opposed to the negative crap we see all on our feeds today.
What is perhaps one of the best quotes from the film is the narrator discussing how we, as a culture, are guilty of living in the past. She says, “I’ve visited 5000 people. 835 hours of negroes reflecting on their conditions. This is the moment where the ghetto emerges. This racialized enclosure will define Black life for the next century.” It’s not an exaggerated statement, because there have been conversations surrounding when exactly we stop putting slavery projects together on film and TV. It’s often a depressing reminder of the past, and some would prefer to move past it, while others point out how it can stir up anger and emotions, leading us to never bridge the gap towards equality.
BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions is a creative piece that captures so many different art forms that all seamlessly showcase how unique and beautiful the Black culture has been for decades. Joseph got the inspiration to start BLKNWS from seeing a clip on YouTube that showed Saidiya Hartman and Fred Moten on a segment called The Black Outdoors, and, after seeing it, it’s clear his purpose for where he wants BLKNWS to go. The film is a visual essay that is so unique that it’s hard to put your finger on just what category you can file it in. One thing is for sure: there’s nothing to compare it to, as the aesthetics and components work together to create a gem never before seen in this capacity.
BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, September 4th, 2025.
