70s Films Movie Marathon | Oakland

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The best way to end your weekend? Stick it to “the man”. Movement Inc. will be showing some of the greatest blaxploitation films of the 70s. There will be fresh complimentary popcorn and a donation-based wine and beer bar. Come dressed in your best 70s attire for a chance to win cool prizes.

Showing:

BLACK SAMPSON
If your name is Black Samson and you’re known for carrying around a big stick, owning a titty bar and having a motherfucking lion at your service, what self-respecting mafioso would sell drugs on your corner? The dummies in this movie, evidently. Learn to read the Bible, bitches.

FRIDAY FOSTER
The poster’s lurid headline-‘Wham, Bam. Here comes Pam!”-pimps Pam Grier’s notoriety as a shit-talkin’, bra-bustin’ hellcat. While the title character does have her moments (check her milk delivery), this is actually one of Grier’s more dynamic roles: a fashion photographer who uncovers a white-supremacist conspiracy to assassinate a black politico. Based on the ’70s comics strip, the first in mainstream papers to feature a black lead character. Plus Isaac from the motherfuckin’ Love Boat!

GANJA AND HESS
After its release was compromised by a bastardized studio-sanctioned version, most viewers never realized that this was one of the most profound, surreal and horrifying love stories ever made. Breaking barriers of black cinema (and the producers’ expectations of just another piece of rehash vampire trash), director Bill Gunn instead delivered a blood-soaked masterpiece that was the only American film screened during Critics’ Week at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival…where it won a standing ovation.

5 ON THE BLACKHAND SIDE
Not your usual blaxploitation fare, this lighthearted comedy about a struggling barber sought to make audiences feel proud about, and laugh at, their culture (sound familiar, Cube fans?). The film is notable for an ill freestyle in the barbershop—well, that and a character named “Sweet Meat”

THE MACK
Goldie returns from San Quentin to run the pimp game in Oakland. Top to bottom and front to back one of the best films of the decade, in any genre—it’s a classic for the Player’s Ball alone, not to mention Richard Pryor trying to act serious and not doing such a great job of it (“You white nigger!”).

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.