The early 1970s saw the emergence of Blaxploitation films, which were made for urban black audiences, and featured strong, black central characters. The appeal of these films has broadened across racial and ethnic lines and established a place in American film history.
The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library will showcase four such films in the “Cinema with Soul” film series at 6 p.m. every Monday evening in March in the Main Library auditorium, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
Admission is free.
The schedule:
March 3: “Shaft’s Big Score!” (1972) Richard Roundtree reunites with director Gordon Parks to bring the charismatic, leather jacketed private investigator, Shaft, back in his most explosive role. Rated R.
March 11: “Cleopatra Jones” (1973) Secret government agent Cleopatra Jones (Tamara Dobson) takes on the evil drug lord, Mommy (Shelley Winters). Cleopatra’s cool karate moves and funky ‘70s fashions are not to be missed. Rated PG.
March 18: “Detroit 9000” (1973) Street-smart white detective Danny Bassett (Alex Rocco) teams with educated black detective Sgt. Jesse Williams (Hari Rhodes) to investigate a theft of $400,000 in cash and jewels from a political campaign fundraiser. Rated R.
March 25: “Across 110th Street” (1972) In a daring robbery, $300,000 is taken from the Italian mob. Two NYC cops (Anthony Quinn and Yaphet Kotto) are trying to break the case, while the three small-time criminals are on the run with the money. Will the mafia or the police catch them first? Rated R.
For more information, call 913-551-3280 or visit www.kckpl.org.