Blaxtiploitation and American Film

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the exploitation of Blacks in the American filmmaking industry and looks at the role of the Civil Rights movement in eliminating blaxtiploitation. It describes and discusses different films that were created in response to this phenomenon of exploitation and their impact on it. The paper specifically focuses on the Oscar award that was awarded to Sydney Poitier and its impact on the filmmaking industry.

From the Paper:

"It is evident that in the progress of Black filmmaking in the nation there was a great upheaval in the country and that few Black individuals were ever recognized for their efforts. Sydney Poitier and Hattie McDaniel were capable of receiving Oscars for their work, although the massive amount of other Black actors and filmmakers were ignored. While many would contend that blaxtiploitation films played a significant role in brining the plight of Black filmmakers to the nation, the fact is that most blaxtiploitation films were created by whites. Yet, the period of filmmaking is significant because through it emerged a new philosophy about portraying cultures in cinema and that philosophy was finally to tell the story as it really occurred. Once this happened the films of individuals such as Burnett and his counterparts were capable of presenting the views of varied lives before the public in a manner that educated and informed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blaxtiploitation. (n.d.). Razor Reel. Retrieved November 1, 2006, from http://194.78.207.186/BB/admin/ReelNewsDetail.asp?ID=2734
• Civil rights movement. (n.d.). Info Please. Retrieved November 1, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0800621.html
• Hattie McDaniel. (n.d.). Info Please. Retrieved November 1, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0800621.html
• Kim, N. (n.d.). Charles Burnett. Senses of Cinema. Retrieved November 1, 2006, from http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/03/burnett.html
• Masswood, P. (1965). An aesthetic appropriate to conditions. Wide Angel. 20(4): 20-41.

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