“Blaxploitalian” Screens in SF

Nicole Campisano (January 30, 2018)

As February celebrates African-American History Month, Director Fred “Kudjo” Kuwornu will present his documentary, "Blaxploitalian 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema,” at the Italian Cultural Institute in San Francisco on February 20th. The documentary uncovers and analyzes the personal struggles African Americans, and actors of African descent face in the film industry.

Blaxploitalian 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema, a documentary directed by Fred Kuwornu [2], is being screened at San Francisco’s Italian Cultural Institute [3]. Kuwornu will be there February 20 to introduce his thought provoking documentary, and to hold a question and answer session after.

Blackness in Italian Cinema

The documentary centers around black actors in Italian cinema, and the adversity they have been facing for over a century in the media industry. The film critically analyzes diversity, and the struggles actors encounter solely because of their race. Exploring typecasting, and other consequences of racism in the film industry, Blaxploitalian investigates the history of blackness and how it is seen in modern Italy through the stories of those who confront it daily.

A Fight for Diversity

The film is personal to Kuwornu as he is Italian-Ghanaian. Brooklyn based Kuwornu was born in Italy and studied both Political Science and Mass Media at the University of Bologna.

Passionate about multiculturalism and diversity in his own country, and around the world, Kuwornu is an activist for racial and ethnic diversity. He is the founder of Do the right Films Entertainment and he uses his work to spread the message of inclusion and to bring awareness to the problems and discrimination minorities face in Europe and Italy.

Honoring Black History Month

The presentation of Blaxploitalian is particularly apropos as February celebrates Black History. This month the U.S recognizes the achievements and contributions of African Americans, and the roles they have played in U.S history. Apart from appreciating the feats black Americans have conquered, it is essential to acknowledge and to discuss the racism that is still prominent today which documentaries, like Kuwornu’s, bring to light.

The showing of Blaxploitalian 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema is a free event that all are welcome to. It will be a night of learning, and critical thinking about the role race plays in the entertainment world.

For more information about the event, please click here >>> [4]