In celebration of 50 years of Blaxploitation, the Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds has partnered with Park Circus to bring us a curated selection of films from the genre this October.

Blaxploitation films emerged in the 1970s as a genre that showcased African-American culture and tackled social issues prevalent in black communities. These movies typically featured strong, charismatic black protagonists navigating ‘urban’ environments, often involved in crime, corruption, and fighting against systemic oppression.

Though criticised for their sometimes exploitative nature (hence the genre name), films like Cleopatra Jones, Black Caesar and Coffy played a significant role in shaping African-American cinema and cultural identity.

Black Again! Fifty Years of Blaxploitation has been co-curated with Josiah Howard, expert in the Blaxploitation genre, and Women of the Lens Film Festival. The programme is supported by Music House in Leeds.

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