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Black Cinema's Unsung Gems Shine Bright
20 Feb
Summary
- Wendell Harris's 'Chameleon Street' won Sundance but lacked distribution.
- Spike Lee's 'Crooklyn' vividly captures childhood memories in Brooklyn.
- Lenny Cooke's documentary contrasts potential stardom with present reality.
Black cinema is being celebrated this month with a spotlight on influential films. Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s "Chameleon Street," a 1989 con man comedy, is noted for its playful inventiveness, yet faced distribution challenges after winning Sundance's Grand Jury prize. Spike Lee's "Crooklyn" (1994) is a deeply personal film, drawing on the director's own childhood memories of Brooklyn in the summer of 1973, celebrated for its warm portrayal of family life and vibrant soundtrack.
The documentary "Lenny Cooke" (2013) by the Safdie brothers chronicles the unfulfilled potential of a high school basketball phenom who once faced LeBron James. The film contrasts his past promise with his present reality.
"Hollywood Shuffle" (1987) by Robert Townsend is a satirical look at the industry's tropes, while Bill Duke's "Deep Cover" (1992) deconstructs law enforcement through an undercover cop's story. These films represent a rich tapestry of Black artistic expression, often overcoming industry hurdles.
