Week 13: Black Independent Cinema Flashcards
Who was the preeminent Black American independent filmmaker before the 1960s? What has independent cinema allowed Black filmmakers to do that was historically difficult—if not impossible—under the constraints of the Hollywood system before the Civil Rights Movement?
Oscar Micheaux was a preeminent Black American indepdent fimmaker.
Any Black-produced film outside the constraints of major studios.
Independence from Hollywood allows Black filmmakers to represent heterogeneous Black lives and give voice to diverse Black concerns from Black perspectives.
What was the Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers, or the “L.A. Rebellion”? What were some of the foundational films, and who were some of the foundational filmmakers?
Also known as the “L.A. Rebellion,” it was founded at UCLA by Black Students (mostly film majors).
Films focused on the struggles of Black labor against white capital in the working-class environment (post-Watts riots).
Filmmakers sought to find an aesthetic that was unique to their historical moment/ cultural experience (although there was no single aesthetic or ideology).
Note that Julie Dash’s Illusions (1982) is one example,
What were some of the influences on the “L.A. Rebellion”?
Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s (lit, art, music, theater, fashion).
African Marxism, cultural nationalism of the Black Arts Movement, and revolutionary nationalism of the Black Panther Party of the 1960s and 1970s.
Radical- progressive cinemas of developing nations (African, Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean, Cuban).
What was “Blaxploitation”?
Black exploitation
Who was Kathleen Collins? Note that she was a New York filmmaker and not part of the “L.A. Rebellion.”
Black women directors in American Independent Cinema
What was the “New Black Film Wave,” according to Ed Guerrero? What are some examples of films and film- cycles that came out of this movement? Who were some of its filmmakers?
“Hood Films”- Boyz N The Hood
Films put complex, dynamic Black characters at the center to offer an alternative to racist stereotypes and “positive” (patronizing) representations of Hollywood.
