Faded Glory: Early African-American Filmmaking, 1912–1952
A film screening and discussion with Richard Peña
This engaging program, running for approximately 120–135 minutes, will be led by Prof. Richard Peña. Even among dedicated cinephiles, few are aware that from about 1912 until the early 1950s, there was a vibrant and independent cinema made by and for African Americans. These films were primarily shown in African-American neighborhoods or at special times in cinemas catering to mixed audiences, creating a parallel cinematic universe largely unknown to other Americans.
Introduction to Early African American Cinema (30 minutes): An insightful presentation on the origins, significance, and cultural impact of this unique film movement, which produced around 500 films, of which about 87 survive today.
Film Screening – THE BLOOD OF JESUS (56 minutes): Watch this iconic 1941 film by Spencer Williams, a seminal work in early African American cinema.
Film Analysis (15 minutes): A brief analysis of THE BLOOD OF JESUS, highlighting its themes, historical context, and artistic significance.
Q & A Session: An opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion about the film and the broader topic of early African American cinema.
Richard Peña is a Professor Emeritus of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University. He served as the Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Director of the New York Film Festival from 1988 to 2012. Peña organized retrospectives for numerous filmmakers and major film series focusing on various international cinemas. He co-created “Rendez-Vous with French Cinema” and has lectured internationally. Peña has held visiting professorships at Princeton, Harvard, La Sorbonne, and other institutions. He received the “Cathedra Bergman” award in 2016 and hosts WNET/Channel 13’s weekly Reel 13.
