30 for 30 Shorts Season 2 Episode 4 From Harlem With Love

From Harlem With Love is an episode of 30 for 30 Shorts season 2, which takes a close look at a film that was instrumental in changing the portrayal of African-Americans on the big screen. With interviews and archival materials, the episode explores the story behind the making of the film, as well as the lives of the people who made it.

From Harlem With Love showcases the story behind the 1972 film Superfly. Directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and starring Ron O’Neal as Youngblood Priest, the film is a landmark in African-American cinema. It was one of the first films to portray African-Americans in a complex and nuanced way, in contrast to the typical portrayal of black characters as either stereotypes or background figures.

The episode reveals how the film came to be made, and the vision of Parks Jr. to create a movie that was authentic to the black experience. Through interviews with Parks Jr.’s collaborators and people who knew him, we learn how he used his background as the son of famed photographer Gordon Parks to create a unique vision of Harlem.

The episode also delves into the controversy surrounding Superfly, with some claiming it was exploitative and portrayed African-Americans as drug dealers and thugs. However, others saw the film as a powerful critique of the systemic racism and poverty that had plagued inner-city African-American communities for decades.

From Harlem With Love is also a portrait of the people who made the film. Interviews with O’Neal, Parks Jr., and musicians Curtis Mayfield and Freddie Munroe reveal the creative process behind the film, and the challenges they faced in bringing it to fruition. We learn about the difficulties Parks Jr. faced in getting the film made, including his struggle to secure funding and his battle with the New York City Film Office over the use of certain locations.

The episode concludes with a discussion of Superfly’s lasting impact on African-American cinema. Despite the criticism it faced upon its initial release, the film has been heralded for its portrayal of black characters as complex and multi-dimensional. It also paved the way for other filmmakers to tell their own stories and brought about a new era of African-American cinema.

Overall, From Harlem With Love is a powerful tribute to the men and women who made Superfly and the impact it had on African-American culture. It is a fitting tribute to a film that changed the game and remains a classic of the genre.