Belle (2013)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is one of the more underappreciated talents out there and although she is primarily known more for her early TV work in the U.K., she proved she can be a powerful leading lady with this starring role in Belle. The film is based on the true story of a mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral, who is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle in 18th century England. It’s by a black female director and is a rare period piece drama about a black woman that doesn’t involve slavery, and as such, it is worth a watch.