The name is easy to break down, the genre not so much. A hybrid of the word black and exploitation, Blaxploitation films emerged in the 1970s, targeting an urban black audience. Featuring soundtracks pumped with funk and soul, and presenting its own set of pioneering stars, the genre was met with roaring approval and disapproving criticism.
Those supporting the genre argued that it was a more honest portrayal of black urban life, empowering black cinemagoers with their own heroes and stories. In the opposite camp were those who bemoaned the glorification of violence and further entrenchment of racial stereotypes.
However, for or against, there’s no denying that it was a key moment in black cinema. Introducing a genre like no other, it gave rise to films, stories and stars that will always be remembered.
The Films
Even though Blaxploitation films had common elements and themes, it didn’t stop filmmakers from dabbling in various genres, putting their own twist on classic narratives. After all, if Bram Stoker’s Dracula could be modernised, revitalised, rebooted and remade, it was only fit that Blaxploitation bring its own fun to the horror party. In 1972, Blacula was released, following the story of an undead African prince who wants to recruit Dracula to help him abolish slavery.
Along with movies like Black Mama, White Mama; Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, Shaft, Three the Hard Way, Adiós Amigo, and Uptown Saturday Night, Blaxploitation tackled action, martial arts, Westerns, comedy, coming-of-age, and musicals. These few examples barely scrape the surface of the multitude of movies that were made during the ‘70s, and even beyond.
The Actors
Rom-com: Julia Roberts. Blockbuster action: Dwayne Johnson. Every genre comes with actors who shine in the roles that turn them into stars, and Blaxploitation was no exception. There is a long litany of actors who shot to fame, thanks to the genre, and Richard Roundtree, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly were a trio of the most prominent.
Well known names such as Bill Cosby, Sir Sidney Poitier and Richard Pryor also popped up, and black women weren’t about to be left behind. Pam Grier made a name for herself in Blaxploitation films, often playing the character title of her films.
Characters and Crossovers
One of Grier’s most famous roles was Foxy Brown in Foxy Brown, in 1974. Twenty-three years later, Quentin Tarantino would pay homage to the genre, casting Pam Grier as Jackie Brown in Jackie Brown.
Another female star to leave her mark on the genre was Tamara Dobson as Cleopatra Jones in Cleopatra Jones, and its sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. Alongside Foxy Brown and Cleopatra were memorable characters such as John Shaft, Tommy Gibbs, Coffy, Black Belt Jones, Jefferson Bolt and Dolemite.
Blaxploitation made such an impression, it started infiltrating others areas of cinema. The 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die featured a world of Blaxploitation characters and settings; while Jim Kelly appeared in Enter the Dragon, playing the type of character Blaxploitation had made (in)famous.
More recently Beyoncé Knowles played Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember, which was not only a riff on Blaxploitation but on James Bond movies as well.
South Africa
The genre was not exclusive to Hollywood. South Africa got in on the action during the same era. A construction company owner in Johannesburg, Tonie van der Merwe, financed South African Blaxploitation films, using his own equipment as props.
One of the best-known results was 1973’s Joe Bullet, featuring car chases, shootouts, kick-ass karate, and an all-black cast. The movie was a hit in Soweto but, given the socio-political milieu of the time, was deemed too aspirational for black people and pulled by censors within a week. This did not stop van der Merwe, or the host of artists and craftspeople working with him, and he would go on to make around 400 films.
What’s your take on the Blaxploitation genre? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtags #NotJustAColour and #BlackoutZA.
For a satirical look at the genre, tune into Pootie Tang on 20 June at 17:05 on M-Net Movies Blackout channel 109.