Afro Promo DVD

Oh yeah! Alternatively trashy and poignant—and sometimes just plain hard to believe these days—here's an irresistible program of Black Cinema trailers that trace its evolution through its most crucial period, 1946–1976.

Filled with insights on race and social dynamics, this fascinating compendium of Coming Attractions explores an extensive range of stylistic approaches—Blaxploitation, Comedy, Music Bio, Plantation Drama, and more—all smartly organized by genre, or viewable as one outrageous joyride through motion picture history.

Beyond mere camp, these marvelously condensed gems crystallize a range of African-American identities and personalities, tracking the meteoric careers of Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, Pam Grier, et al., through their bold performances in movies both hugely popular and practically forgotten.

Be careful or you just might learn something.

Selected Press Quotes
"A sometimes funny, sometimes frightening look at Tinseltown's presentation of Blacks." —Edward Marguiles, Movieline
"Offers considerable fun, and food for thought." —Dennis Harvey, Variety
"A picture tells a thousand words, but a shameless movie trailer can say even more." —Barry Walters, SF Examiner

Special Features

• Introductory Essay by Terri Francis (Yale University)
• Christopher Harris's Reckless Eyeballing
• Roger Beebe's Famous Irish Americans
• Upcoming Releases from Other Cinema DVD