Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast
A weekly podcast brought by the team that brings you cupofteacritiques.com, the site that encourages critical viewing of film so you can decide for yourself if they’re your "cup of tea." Reading the tea leaves of the film industry is challenging. Each week on the podcast, the team peels back the layers on a movie genre or industry trend to offer aspiring filmmakers some clarity and guidance on what is often rough and indecipherable terrain that is the film and television industry. So, grab a deep brew for a deep look and some hilarious moments.
Music by Julian Hartwell (Say No More - Gh3dEJ)
Fair Use Notice: The movies and TV series excerpted and discussed on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast are copyrighted productions. Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast refers to them for the purposes of social commentary and constructive criticism of the productions’ content, which constitutes "fair use" as codified in section 107 of U.S. Copyright law.
Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast
Why do we love and hate blaxploitation films?
Despite spanning only five years in the mid‑1970s, the blaxploitation era of filmmaking left an indelible mark on the film industry and in the hearts and minds of many in the Black community. While some insist the movies contributed to what were already entrenched negative views of Black people, others feel they presented some of the freshest, coolest characters onscreen, accompanied by soulful soundtracks from artists like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. Despite being fifty years removed from the era, present‑day filmmakers borrow elements from these movies, proving that the films, despite their flaws, had great value then— and still do today. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the complex sentiments surrounding blaxploitation era films.
Send us a comment to let us know your favorite film from the blaxploitation era and why it appeals to you.
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References
“Blaxploitation Breakdown.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTWQCKxT324.
“The History of Blaxploitation.” Film is Just Moving Pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWxUZD-Rxs&pp=ygUcYmxheHBsb2l0YXRpb24gZmlsbXMgaGlzdG9yeQ%3D%3D.
“How Blaxploitation Films Saved Hollywood.” Flag Bearer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsLPg2lxXSQ.
Kench, Sam. “What is Blaxploitation—An American Film Movement Explained.” Studiobinder (May 25 2025). https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-blaxploitation-definition/.
Miller, Alyssa. “What is Blaxploitation? Understanding the American Film Movement.” The Script Lab. (February 14 2024). https://thescriptlab.com/blogs/40717-what-is-blaxploitation-understanding-the-american-film-movement/.
Shaahid, Keyshawn. “The Rise of Blaxploitation: Why it Changed Cinema Forever.” Medium. (July 11 2023). https://medium.com/@keyshawnshaahid/the-rise-of-blaxploitation-why-it-changed-cinema-forever-e111094ee247.
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