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Afro Promo
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Afro Promo

1997-01-31 · 91 min · ★ 8.0

Documentary

Co-curated by Jenni Olson and the late Black gay activist Karl Knapper, this entertaining showcase of vintage movie trailers traces the evolution of African American cinema through its most crucial period, 1952-1976. Filled with insights on race and social dynamics, this fascinating compendium of coming attractions explores an extensive range of stylistic approaches—Blaxploitation, Comedy, Music Bio, Plantation Drama and more—offering an outrageous joyride through motion picture history. Beyond mere camp, these marvelously condensed gems crystallize a range of African American identities and personalities, tracking the meteoric careers of Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, Pam Grier and others through their bold performances in movies both hugely popular and practically forgotten. Afro Promo provides a compact glimpse at the representation of African Americans through twenty-five dynamic years of American cinema history.

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Production details

Directors
Jenni Olson, Karl Knapper
Production companies
Other Cinema
Countries
United States of America
Status
Released

Top Cast

Sidney PoitierSidney PoitierSelf (archive footage)
James Earl JonesJames Earl JonesSelf (archive footage)
Billy Dee WilliamsBilly Dee WilliamsSelf (archive footage)
Richard PryorRichard PryorSelf (archive footage)
Pam GrierPam GrierSelf (archive footage)

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