For you Blaxploitation aficionados out there who share the same affinity for the genre as I do, I got a new one for you. Or maybe you’ve seen this one before, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.
Last night on the IFC channel, I caught director Issac Julien’s (Looking for Langston; Young Soul Rebels; The Darker Side of Black) 2003 documentary Baadasssss Cinema - A Bold Look at 70's Blaxploitation Films
. Of course, I dug it. But then again I’m not impartial. You can check out about ten minutes of the start of the film below.It’s not a comprehensive overview of the period, but it does serve as a very good overview. The documentary includes interviews and commentary from Blaxploitation actors such as Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree. Directors Melvin Van Peebles and Quentin Tarantino contribute as does renowned social critic bell hooks.
After you check out the clip, if you want to check out the complete documentary you can click this link or click the product link above to purchase the DVD from Amazon.com.
6 comments:
Its been about 8 years since I saw my first blax movie, Black Caesar. I dont know what it is, but I prefer these movies over the modern day Batman, Spiderman movies. I guess that im a student of history and these moves offer a view of Black people emerging from second class citizenship (that may be debatable). Anyways, heres yet another blax flick chopped up on youtube, Across 110th street:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qXhFag9BVU
I was trying to explain to my wife why I like the genre so much. She says they are poorly made with simplistic plots and bad acting. But thanks for the tip. I'm checking it out now.
Hey, I've seen this one before. This is a good one.
Really bad acting. The the acting in the spook who say by the door is horrid, but theres a message there. There is a certain substance there, dare I say nostalgia.
I own it. As you said, not comprehensive, but a very good overview. I recommend it as a starter for anyone unfamiliar with the period.
Why you gotta' brag S & A? "I own it." Well, I ordered it! Thanks for the comment.
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