Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Blaxploitation

Blaxploitation is a sub-genre of exploitation films that were made and found popularity in the 1970s. These films were aimed at urban black audiences but did eventually reach other audiences as well. Like gangsta films, Blaxploitation films also perpetuated black stereotypes, such as pimp and drug dealer; however, the music featured in them varied. Blaxploitation films used funk and soul/jazz soundtracks, while gangsta film usually feature rap and hip hop music.

In Blaxploitation films, women were featured as tough yet not overly tough in order to not upset the gender stereotype; the films also featured strong masculine males as most gangster films do as well. Both film categories feature a lot of violence from street violence and gangs to other forms of violence.

While some have praised Blaxploitation films and gangsta films for representing black people and providing ways to reach success, there are still many that do not agree with the exploitation and focus on stereotypes. One thing is certain though, this sub-genre has played an important part in history.

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