‘Is That Black Enough For You?!?’ Trailer: Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya & More Help Elvis Mitchell Tell The Story Of The ’70s Black Film Revolution

“One decade answered the question: what happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun, or does it explode?” That’s film critic, now filmmaker Elvis Mitchell narrating in his new documentary “Is That Black Enough For You?!?” Mitchell’s new doc, executive produced by David Fincher and Steven Soderbergh, centers on the 1970s Black film revolution and the rise of Blaxploitation in that decade. But what he’s talking about in that quote is the idea of all the burgeoning Black talent that had to wait several decades to get their due in the 1970s.

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Making its world premiere at the New York Film Festival next week, Mitchell’s doc examines how one decade changed American cinema—and culture —forever. Mitchell, a film writer, historian, and excellent podcaster—you should definitely listen to his insightful The Treatment podcast on KCRW, where he conducts some essential-listening interviews—explores the history of Black representation and the cultural impact of witnessing unapologetic Blackness.

In the doc, sharing their stories about the black experience and how it pertains to cinema are legends like Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Glynn Turman, who starred in the seminal 1970s film “Cooley High,” director Charles Burnett, the director of the groundbreaking “Killer Of Sheep,” Laurence Fishburne, Billy Dee Williams, Mario Van Peebles, Margaret Avery, Zendaya and many more.

Here’s the official synopsis:

From celebrated writer and film historian Elvis Mitchell, IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? is both a documentary and deeply personal essay. The film examines the craft and power of cinema from a perspective often overlooked: the African American contribution to films released from the landmark era of the 70s. It is a deep dive into the impact that point of view had on movies, as well as popular culture. A love letter to film, it poses questions that have never been asked, let alone answered. Crucial artistic voices, including director Charles Burnett, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne, Zendaya and others, artists offer their distinctive prism on the creators and films that dazzled and inspired, providing insight into the history of Black representation going back to the earliest days of cinema, and the cultural impact of witnessing unapologetic Blackness. Produced by Steven Soderbergh, David Fincher, Angus Wall and Ciara Lacy, IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? marks Mitchell’s directorial debut.

“Is That Black Enough For You?!?” premieres at the New York Film Festival, opens in select theaters on October 28, and then arrives globally on Netflix on November 11. Watch the new trailer below.