Hollywood Shuffle
Post-film discussion on working in then film industry, featuring documentary director Rudy Hypolite, narrative filmmaker Thato Mwosa, director of photography Rui Lopes, and actor David J. Curtis, moderated by Vladimir Minuty. Presented by NAACBoston, The Secret Society of Black Creatives, and RoxFilm.
This debut feature by Robert Townsend is an ingenious guerrilla satire that takes riotous aim at the typecasting of Black actors in 1980s Hollywood.
The writer-director-star’s megawatt charisma propels Hollywood Shuffle, the hilarious tale of a struggling actor attempting to break into an industry where the only roles available to Black performers seem to be hustlers, butlers, slaves, and “Eddie Murphy types”—forcing him to choose between selling out and maintaining his self-respect. Lampooning everything from film noir to zombie flicks to Siskel and Ebert, Townsend and cowriter Keenen Ivory Wayans cannily turn the frustrations of the Black artist into a subversively funny pop-culture critique. - Criterion Collection
About NAACBoston
In 2016, ArtsBoston established The Network for Arts Administrators of Color (NAACBoston) to enhance the visibility of professionals of color in Greater Boston’s arts and culture sector, as well as widen the leadership pipeline and highlight opportunities for professional and personal growth in the field. NAACBoston offers participants the opportunity to connect, network, and share learnings with the intent to empower, elevate, and retain talented professionals of color in the sector. The creation of this network reflects the importance of visibility for professionals of color, and the value that diverse perspectives contribute to an enhanced workforce and culture. NAACBoston is part of ArtsBoston’s ongoing initiative to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts and culture sector.
About the Secret Society of Black Creatives
The SSBC’s mission is to promote and empower black content creators and media makers through networking, education, advocacy, and job referrals. Our goal is to be a multicultural catalyst for positive action by connecting and amplifying diverse voices in the New England entertainment industry
