Movie

Black Outside

20241h 20m

Documentary

"That's for White people..." A phrase that infuriated Gary Wilkerson, Jr. as a young, Black kid wanting to do outdoorsy things, like camping. He wasn't old enough to understand that it was a warning, passed down from generations of Black Americans who weren't permitted to explore the outdoors for fear of being killed. To confront this inherited fear, Wilkerson turns the cameras on himself to document his experience as he challenges himself to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail. This grueling 2,600-mile thru-hike from Mexico to Canada takes six months to complete. With the guidance and support of his ride-or-die best friend and fellow filmmaker Mary Jeanes, Wilkerson sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. This grueling journey is no easy feat -- especially for a guy who's never spent a night outside in his life. As he struggles to navigate the breathtaking wilderness and difficult terrain, we follow his profound path to self-discovery, forming unexpected bonds with fellow hikers, and challenging the notion of what happens to Black people in the woods.

Directed by:

Gary Wilkerson Jr., Mary Jeanes