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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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