Early Race Filmmaking in America

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Film, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Early Race Filmmaking in America by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781317434245
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 26, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781317434245
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 26, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The early years of the twentieth century were a formative time in the long history of struggle for black representation. More than any other medium, movies reflected the tremendous changes occurring in American society. Unfortunately, since they drew heavily on the nineteenth-century theatrical conventions of blackface minstrelsy and the "Uncle Tom Show" traditions, early pictures persisted in casting blacks in demeaning and outrageous caricatures that marginalized and burlesqued them and emphasized their comic or servile behavior. By contrast, race films—that is, movies that were black-cast, black-oriented, and viewed primarily by black audiences in segregated theaters—attempted to counter the crude stereotyping and regressive representations by presenting more authentic racial portrayals. This volume examines race filmmaking from numerous perspectives. By reanimating a critical but neglected period of early cinema—the years between the turn-of-the-century and 1930, the end of the silent film era—it provides a fascinating look at the efforts of early race film pioneers and offers a vibrant portrait of race and racial representation in American film and culture.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The early years of the twentieth century were a formative time in the long history of struggle for black representation. More than any other medium, movies reflected the tremendous changes occurring in American society. Unfortunately, since they drew heavily on the nineteenth-century theatrical conventions of blackface minstrelsy and the "Uncle Tom Show" traditions, early pictures persisted in casting blacks in demeaning and outrageous caricatures that marginalized and burlesqued them and emphasized their comic or servile behavior. By contrast, race films—that is, movies that were black-cast, black-oriented, and viewed primarily by black audiences in segregated theaters—attempted to counter the crude stereotyping and regressive representations by presenting more authentic racial portrayals. This volume examines race filmmaking from numerous perspectives. By reanimating a critical but neglected period of early cinema—the years between the turn-of-the-century and 1930, the end of the silent film era—it provides a fascinating look at the efforts of early race film pioneers and offers a vibrant portrait of race and racial representation in American film and culture.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Honored but Invisible by
Cover of the book Nuclear Terrorism by
Cover of the book Psychosis Under Discussion by
Cover of the book Drawing the Line by
Cover of the book Urban Planning in a Changing World by
Cover of the book Cities and Literature by
Cover of the book Re-figuring the Ramayana as Theology by
Cover of the book Paul Auster's Postmodernity by
Cover of the book Great City Parks by
Cover of the book Freedom and Constraint by
Cover of the book Diderot's Part by
Cover of the book A New Concept of Development by
Cover of the book Knowledge & Discourse by
Cover of the book Himalayan Drawings by
Cover of the book Leading Change toward Sustainability by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy