Blaxploitation cinema became renowned around the cinematic landscape with 1971's Shaft and 1972's Superfly, presented as a double feature as part of our New York November series.
Shaft: John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is the ultimate in suave Black detectives. He first finds himself up against Bumpy (Moses Gunn), the leader of the Black crime mob, then against black nationals, and finally working with both against the white mafia who are trying to blackmail Bumpy by kidnapping his daughter.
Superfly: Priest (Ron O'Neal), a suave top-rung New York City drug dealer, decides that he wants to get out of his dangerous trade. Working with his reluctant friend, Eddie (Carl Lee), Priest devises a scheme that will allow him make a big deal and then retire. When a desperate street dealer informs the police of Priest's activities, Priest is forced into an uncomfortable arrangement with corrupt narcotics officers. Setting his plan in motion, he aims to both leave the business and stick it to the man.
We are OC’s year-round film festival.