Is That Black Enough For You ?!? - AFI Fest
Film Critic Elvis Mitchell perfectly blends archival footage interviews as a tribute to the 1970s period of Blaxploitation that redefined Blackness in cinema.
From the beginning, Mitchell addresses his intentions with this documentary in examining the decade that changed movies and him. His soothing voice guides the audience through clips and interviews from high-profile figures to course correct the cultural erasure of Black Hollywood in the mainstream. In a 135-minute runtime of digestible material, Mitchell insights into brief overviews of film and prominent figures of Black cinema almost like a personal tour of 1968-1977. A period highlighted by the liberating work of Melvin Van Peebles, Pam Grier, Ali Fraizer, and so many more. On top of its history lesson, it features segways into the careers of Harry Belafonte and Pam Grier, the intersection of Black film and Black music, and the disinterest of Hollywood executives to make movies catered to Black audiences. The movie provides several films to add to your watchlist and explains why they are prominent viewings.
The documentary goes through each year and fits in as many Black-led movies as it can along the way. It feels conversational but at the same time, it is a teaching moment for its audiences. Before he dives into the main decade he goes back to the beginning of Hollywood’s harmful Mammy and butler tropes that were the only opportunity for Blacks in the early days of the industry. This is matched with interviews with Harry Belafonte on what types of roles he would pass on that Sidney Poitier would end up portraying onscreen. Sprinkled through his visual essay is the theme of how Black talent was a counterpoint to the national attitude of the decade, During this time white cinema stepped away from classic tropes and moved into anti-heroes. Black cinema took note of this and embraced the classics; specifically by portraying the masculinity and handsomeness of Black men onscreen.
A common thread between many of the interview subjects is how Westerns were a part of their first movie experiences. Mitchell traces this trend to the first films made under the Blaxploitation genre. Throughout the film, Mitchell never hides his affection for many of the Black creatives and their redefinition of Blackness onscreen. His words paint a sense of celebration for each film he mentions. For example, he dives into many of Van Peebles's work from The Watermelon Man to Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song; specifically their roles in adapting the X rating and releasing a soundtrack before a movie that has since been overtaken by white cinema.
Is That Black Enough for You?!? is a must-watch for any film lover to provide a historical timeline and the influence of Black cinema.