Report Index

Director's Statement 

Summary of Research Highlights 

Other Projects and Activities 

Publications  

Statistical Summary 

Staff/Advisory Board 

Other Participants 

  Professor Cedric Robinson

Among the empirical questions to be researched are: 

• An accurate list of films: where, when, and by whom were they made?
• Who were the Black filmmakers and the makers of Black-focused films?
• What were the differences between Black Film and Black-focused films?
• What were the occupational and regional origins of Black filmmakers?
• What were the roles of theatrical groups, theaters-owners in silent film production?
• Where were these films exhibited and who organized exhibition circuits? 

Some of the analytical issues to be examined are: 

• What were the narrative, thematic, and subjects-matter of these films?
• What were the influences of gender, class and race conflict on these films?
• What marketing and technical impact did big studio productions have on Black filmmakers?
• What were audience reactions to these films?
• What was the critical reaction to these films?
• Were Black films political or merely entertainment?