I got into a little discussion the other day about what types of movies I like, and the types of movies that I would like to make. This happens quite a bit once people find out I'm in the movie business. Usually when I talk to certain people about the movies I like I don't go into to much detail. I usually give some standard fluff answer about Malcolm X, Star Wars, and throw in a classic or two like Blazing Saddles or the Blues Brothers. Nothing to deep.
I don't tend to give deep answers because these certain people, white business folk, young white folks, old white folk or black folks with big fancy titles might either know somebody that could be a possible funder, or they hold the purse strings themselves. This time I was talking to a young black guy who seemed generally interested in what I know and had to say. So I tried to give him the most honest answer I could.
I told him that if I could I would make movies like Malcolm X,
The Spook Who Sat by the Door,
Quilombo, or
Ganga Zumbi. I want to make powerful black movies. I want to make movies about Marcus Garvey,
Nat Turner,
Denmark Vessey, the great African empires,
Queen Nzinga, and others. Stories that I know are not being told. I want to see the African version of the 300 or Gladiator. A black Star Wars. Those are the movies that I want to make. I would also like to make these movies with a decent budget. That's what I want to do. However, when it comes to getting funding to make movies like these that's another story.
I know I can get funding for some of my projects. I know that if I wanted to make Soul Plane Part 2, The Friday after next week, I'm Still Bout it, or some movie about drug dealers I could find the money. Make a controversial uplifting black movie. Can't find a dime. Hell, even big name actors and directors can't funding for these types of films. Ask Spike Lee about Malcolm X, or Bamboozled. Ask Danny Glover about trying to get a film about
Toussaint L'Overture made. They only person giving him money is the president of Venezuela.
I'm not saying that these movies can't be made. They can and they have been. But don't expect to get any kind of distribution or and real financing. Unless you know some down ass rich folks. Don't expect a lot of love from rich black folks either. Especially those with fancy titles. They don't want to be connected to something "radical" that might get them out of good graces with their beloved white friends.
That's why I'm taking the course that am. The Spook who is sitting by the door. I know I might have to make a pseudo "minstrel" film, but I can always slide a couple of my true beliefs in there. Slowly transition from one genre to the other, and save as much money as I can along the way. Eventually, I'll make the movies I want. It's just going to take time.
