The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

“I see where we are now as being in the Third Golden Age Of Black Cinema [TGAOBC]. I have found the 90’s into the 21st century to actually be very exciting time for black film, and I am excited to be a part of it. First let me clarify what I mean by Black Film. I mean; films that are created, written or directed by African Americans and that feature or star primarily people of color. I do not mean films that talented black filmmakers like F. Gary Grey {THE ITALIAN JOB}, Antoine Fuqua {KING ARTHUR} and Clark Johnson {THE SENTINEL} have directed where they may helm the film but the bulk of the cast is European read white. The First Golden Age Of Black Film is the Oscar Micheuex [who produced and directed an astounding 41 films in his life time] era of ‘all colored cast’ films in the 20’s and 30’s. The second of course being the 70’s till the early 80’s commonly referred to as the ‘blaxploitation era’ beginning with Melvin Van Peebles Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asssss Song (1971). I will speak a bit more on these eras later. The Third began with the 1-2-3 punch of She’s Gotta Have It (1986) wow has it really been twenty years!?, House Party (1990) and Boyz And The Hood (1991).”  (more…)