Oscar micheaux (born 1884) was a black author and director. Working various jobs until about 1911, he was frustrated, and wanted to be his own boss. Educating himself, he was friends with booker washington! Bad luck at farming in south dakota, and bad luck with women, he needed to try something else. Micheaux writes several books, some anonymously. And later, he made some of his own books into film. Beginning with the silent films, later, talkies. Sadly, some of his films were banned in certain theaters, and many were lost completely. In those days, no-one expected that people would want to see films again later in life. Really interesting guy! He must have been good.. there are statues and postal stamps commemorating micheaux and his work. More details on the life of micheaux at wikipedia dot org. Written and directed by francesco zippel. Really interesting stuff!