Blaxploitalian (2016)

Documentary, History

blaxploitalian-2016-posterDirector: Fred Kudjo Kuwornu

Writer(s): Fred Kudjo Kuwornu

Starring: Iris Peynado, Denny Mendez, Jonis Bashir, Salvatore Marino, Harold Bradley, Fred Kudjo Kuwornu, Livio Beshir, Bobby Rhodes

Synopsis: BlaxploItalian: 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema is a documentary that uncovers the careers of a population of entertainers never heard from before: Black actors in Italian cinema. With modern day interviews and archival footage, the documentary discloses the personal struggles and triumphs that classic Afro-Italian, African-American and Afro-descendant actors faced in the Italian film industry, while mirroring their struggles with those of contemporary actors who are working diligently to find respectable, significant, and non-stereotypical roles, but are often unable to do so. BlaxploItalian is more than an unveiling of a troubled history; it is a call-to-action for increased diversity in international cinema through the stories of these artists in an effort to reflect the modern and racially diverse Italy.

Release Date: June 1, 2016 (USA) | Length: 90 min | Genre: History | MPAA Rating: NR | Note(s): I haven’t seen the film so am not sure this is the full cast list. Additional names not on IMDB came from trailer. The trailer has since disappeared. Above is the talk “Blaxploitalian presented at NYU” from February 7, 2017. The official site (blaxploitalian.com) has also disappeared. UPDATE: I finally got to see this documentary in 2023. I’m updating this post and also going to post it on the WhoDat wiki.