Soul Man

Soul Man (1986) follows a privileged white college student who resorts to taking tanning pills to darken his skin so he can qualify for an African-American scholarship to Harvard Law School after his family refuses to pay for his education. What begins as a desperate, mischievous scheme quickly becomes a complicated charade as he steps into a world he has only observed from the outside.

As he navigates law school, social situations, and the expectations of those around him, the experience forces him to confront everyday racism, systemic barriers, and the blind spots of his own privilege. Mixing broad humor with moments of moral reckoning, the film explores themes of identity, empathy, and the real consequences of deception, provoking debate and reflection among audiences.