Blaxploitalian

Blaxploitalian, released in 2016, is a conceptually unique, intellectually engaging, and visually rich documentary film directed by Fred "Kudjo" Kuwornu. The film beautifully mirrors its enlightening narrative with a captivating blend of archival footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, passionately exposing the largely forgotten roles and contributions of black actors in Italian cinema. The documentary, running approx 60 minutes, packs a powerful socio-cultural and political commentary on diversity and representation in the film industry.

The film's title, Blaxploitalian, is a portmanteau of two descriptors: Blaxploitation, an ethnic sub-genre of American films from the 1970s featuring black actors primarily intended for an urban black audience and Italian, relating to the cinema and culture of Italy. The naming attains a deeper symbolism as the documentary extensively and critically examines the stereotypical portrayals, underrepresentation, and marginalization of black and 'colored' actors in Italian film and television, drawing parallels with the blaxploitation era of Hollywood.

Blaxploitalian brings to light the inherent biases and systemic racism that have been a part of Italian cinema for decades. The film's director, Kuwornu, utilises his biracial background – being a son of an Italian mother and Ghanaian father – to illuminate the less-explored intersections of nationality, race, and identity and question the Eurocentric views and images propagated by the Italian media.

The main narration is meant to be pedagogical, concerning the 100 years of exclusion faced by Black and Afro-descendant actors in Italian film industry – a narrative often hidden behind the limelight of iconic Italian filmmakers like Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, or Luigi Comencini.

Enter the film's protagonists - Jonis Bashir, Livio Beshir, Salvatore Marino, among other acclaimed actors. They comprise a diverse group from Italy and elsewhere but all have an essential connection - they have all played significant roles in Italian cinema but have been struggling to have their voices represented. These actors share their personal stories, professional experiences, and artistic visions, adding a human element to the otherwise socio-political narrative.

Jonis Bashir, Livio Beshir, Salvatore Marino and the others aren’t just actors; they are living examples of the prospects and paradoxes of being 'black' in the Italian film and television industry. Each one delves into the challenges they faced due to their skin color and the limited, stereotyped roles they were offered, often deprived of their individuality and depth. However, their spirit remains unbroken. Every one of them carries an unwavering passion for the art of acting and a strong sense of purpose regarding changing the imperfect practices of the industry.

The documentary takes the audience on a focusing journey of the Italy that rarely finds representation on the big screen – one that is multicultural, multiracial, and diverse, far beyond its traditional ‘Italian-ness’. Starting from the silent 1915's colonialist film Maciste Alpino, it follows the chronological pattern leading up to today. In doing so, the film shows the scarcity of non-stereotypical roles for black actors, exploring the reductive implications of their representations in a host of genres, from neorealism to spaghetti westerns, from comedies to action films.

Blaxploitalian has an agenda beyond merely stating the obvious problems; it aims at provoking conversations regarding race and equality, challenging the status quo while inciting change. It reiterates the need for stories that reflect reality – in all its beauty, ugliness, complexity, and diversity – while giving everyone their fair representation, their rightful voice.

The film stands as an emboldening piece, it is an eye-opener, an admonition against the systemic and institutionalized racism that has long been permeating the film industry, and a call-to-action to dismantle these structures, facilitating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitably representative Italian Cinema.

On the whole, Blaxploitalian from 2016 offers an insightful and thought-provoking perspective towards the Italian film industry's issues of race and representation. It will likely strike a chord with those interested in film, sociology or cultural studies and provoke contemplation within everyone who values art's power to reflect humanity in all its forms. It's a must-watch for its cultural commentary, poignant storytelling, and for offering a platform to voices that often remain unheard.