Black American Cinema (AFI Film Readers) [Paperback]

Manthia Diawara (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415903971 | ISBN-13: 978-0415903974 | Publication Date: August 20, 1993 | Edition: 1st

This is the first major collection of criticism on Black American cinema. From the pioneering work of Oscar Micheaux and Wallace Thurman to the Hollywood success of Spike Lee, Black American filmmakers have played a remarkable role in the development of the American film, both independent and mainstream. In this volume, the work of early Black filmmakers is given serious attention for the first time. Individual essays consider what a Black film tradition might be, the relation between Black American filmmakers and filmmakers from the diaspora, the nature of Black film aesthetics, the artist's place within the community, and the representation of a Black imaginary. Black American Cinema also uncovers the construction of Black sexuality on screen, the role of Black women in independent cinema, and the specific question of Black female spectatorship. A lively and provocative group of essays debate the place and significance of Spike Lee. Of crucial importance are the ways in which the essays analyze those Black directors who worked for Hollywood and whose films are simplistically dismissed as sell-outs, to the Hollywood master narrative,' as well as those crossover' filmmakers whose achievements entail a surreptitious infiltration of the studios. Black American Cinema demonstrates the wealth of the Black contribution to American film and the complex course that contribution has taken. Contributors: Houston Baker, Jr., Toni Cade Bambara, Amiri Baraka, Jacquie Bobo, Richard Dyer, Jane Gaines, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ron Green, Ed Guerrero, bell hooks, Phyllis Klotman, Ntongele Masilela, Clyde Taylor, and Michele Wallace.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Manthia Diawara's Black American Cinema shows how refreshingly far away from decorous consensus the field of Black cinema study is today, in a varied and provocative montage of opinions, personal histories, position statements, and historical criticism. -- Journal of Communication, Summer 1995
...essays in Black American Cinema make the book a worthy addition to the small shelf of Black cinema criticism. -- Journal of Communication, Summer 1995

About the Author

Manthia Diawara is Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1st edition (August 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415903971
• ISBN-13: 978-0415903974
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good anthology on Black Film, December 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black American Cinema (AFI Film Readers) (Paperback)

From the early pioneers of Black Film like Oscar Micheaux in the 1930's to the present day era of filmmakers including Spike Lee, this book adequately covers it all, with a fair amount of time devoted on independent cinema. Interesting read. Especially useful for the academic world.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good textbook, November 1, 2011

By 

ANDREA (So Cal) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Black American Cinema (AFI Film Readers) (Paperback)

The reading is a bit complex. A lot of information. But, it seems to be a good read thus far in my school quarter.