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Black cinema of the 1970s

From Pam Grier’s tough and sexy role in “Coffy” to Curtis Mayfield’s musical score in the movie “Superfly,” the film collection in the Africana Library features some iconic acting and music from the 1970s.

The value of these films, however, goes beyond mere entertainment. Though many of the movies have absurd plots and stereotypical images, they represent the first films produced by and starring African Americans for an African-American audience.  In addition, many of the social and political issues that were part of urban black communities in the 1970s are woven into the fabric of these films.

As pointed out in the book, “What It Is … What It Was!,” these films, like many that came out of Hollywood,  “ran the gamut from the thoughtful to the ridiculous.” There are also films from this era, such as “Claudine,”  “Cooley High,” “ Corn Bread, Earl and Me” and “Sparkle,” which appealed to a cross-section audience.

Discover these film gems at the Africana Library.