 The Homesteader (1919) by film pioneer Oscar Micheaux emphasized its black cast. | |
| Years active | 1915–1950s |
|---|---|
| Location | United States |
| Major figures | Zora Neale Hurston, Solomon Sir Jones, Oscar Micheaux, Paul Robeson, Tressie Souders, Lester Walton, Maria P. Williams, Spencer Williams |
| Influences | Black Vaudeville |
| Influenced | Chitlin' Circuit, Independent Black cinema |
The race film or race movie was a genre of film produced in the United States between about 1915 and the early 1950s, consisting of films produced for black audiences, and featuring black casts. Approximately five hundred race films were produced. Of these, fewer than one hundred remain. Because race films were produced outside the Hollywood studio system, they were largely forgotten by mainstream film historians until they resurfaced in the 1980s on the BET cable network. In their day, race films were very popular among African-American theatergoers. Their influence continues to be felt in cinema and television marketed to African-Americans.
The term "race film" is sometimes used to describe films of the period aimed at other minority audiences. For instance, the 1926 film Silk Bouquet (also known as The Dragon Horse) starred the Asian-American actress Anna May Wong and was marketed to Chinese-American audiences.[1]
- ^ "She (Wong) also appeared in a Chinese 'race' film, The Silk Bouquet, released in June 1926 ...." © Anna May Wong - Silent and Sound Film Actress - goldensilents.com