The Third World Cinema Corporation was a company formed to promote film roles for actors of color.
History
editSeeking independence from the constraints of Hollywood, Ossie Davis started the company in 1972,[1] and soon produced two successful films: Greased Lightning,[2] starring Richard Pryor,[3] and Claudine (1974),[4] with Diahann Carroll in the lead actress role for which she received her Academy Award for Best Actress nomination.[5]
Criteria
editThird World Cinema had two main objectives: to provide training for actors of color to find roles in film and television and to help create films produced and directed from minority perspectives.[6] Most of the initial funding came from Federal grants, including $200,000 and $400,000 grants from the U. S. Manpower and Career Development Administration and the Model Cities program respectively. Third World went on to train many of the technicians who would go on to work on other films made by actors of color since the 1980s.[7]
See also
edit- L.A. Rebellion-alternative African-American cinema in the 1970s
- Working class culture
- 1970s in film
References
edit- ^ "Independent Film". Film Reference. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Cinema Scope|A Pierce of the Action: On Claudine and Uptight
- ^ In praise of Claudine, a '70s romantic rom-com with a conscience|AV Club
- ^ 'Claudine', Funny Film With Realities of Harlem Life - The New York Times
- ^ Claudine (1974)|The Criterion Collection
- ^ Lev, Peter (2010). American Films of the 70s: Conflicting Visions. University of Texas Press. p. 248. ISBN 9780292778092. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Mapp, Edward (2008). African Americans and the Oscar: Decades of Struggle and Achievement (Second ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 218. ISBN 9780810861060. Retrieved 27 February 2019.