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In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema
The true story of a lost era.
Genres
Documentary
Overview
This documentary captures the sounds and images of a nearly forgotten era in film history when African American filmmakers and studios created “race movies” exclusively for black audiences. The best of these films attempted to counter the demeaning stereotypes of black Americans prevalent in the popular culture of the day. About 500 films were produced, yet only about 100 still exist. Filmmaking pioneers like Oscar Micheaux, the Noble brothers, and Spencer Williams, Jr. left a lasting influence on black filmmakers, and inspired generations of audiences who finally saw their own lives reflected on the silver screen.
Details
Budget
$0
Revenue
$0
Runtime
59 min
Release Date
2007-09-15
Status
Released
Original Language
English
Vote Count
4
Vote Average
6.5
Cast
Meet the talented actors who bring the movie to life.
Lawrence Varnado
Narrator
Herb Jeffries
Himself
Ruby Dee
Herself
Jeni Le Gon
Herself
Leroy Collins
Himself
Pearl Bowser
Herself
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