Oscar Micheaux

The Homesteader Oscar Micheaux

Oscar Micheaux's classic tale of interracial love, prejudice, and frontier life in the early Twentieth Century. Based in part on Micheaux's own experiences, he later made "The Homesteader" into a motion picture of the same name. Jean Baptiste, a homesteader in the Dakotas and the only black man in the area, falls in love with Agnes, the daughter of another settler. Although society at large believes Agnes to be white, Agnes herself does not know that she is actually of biracial heritage. Pressed by racial taboos, Baptiste compromises his heart and marries Orlean, a black woman. Orlean's father, a vain and jealous preacher, initially praises Baptiste. However, the preacher's vanity spoils the marriage with Orleans, which ultimately ends in sorrow. Baptiste later returns to the Dakotas and his first love, marrying Agnes. A successful author, director, and film producer, Oscar Micheaux is considered to be the first African-American filmmaker of major motion pictures.