WHAT’S IT ABOUT
A 1974 American blaxploitation drama film based on the best-selling autobiography of Sonny Carson. The Mack director, Michael Campus, directed the film. It starred Rony Clanton, Don Gordon, Joyce Walker, Paul Benjamin, and Mary Alice. Produced on a budget of $1 million. Director Michael Campus was therefore forced to improvise to save money, such as obscuring the layout of a room with darkness, allowing the same room to be used for multiple settings. To film Sonny Carson’s violent gang initiation, during which gang members beat Sonny as he runs through them, the camera was placed in a metal cage and filmed from two separate points of view: one, in which Sonny is shown running through the gauntlet, and the other, which is shot from a first-person perspective. The film explores the challenges facing the African American population during their struggle to obtain civil rights. It sheds light on both political and social issues of the time, such as poverty, drug abuse, and police discrimination and brutality.
Why It’s Gone
A 1970s cult film, often quoted and referenced in hip-hop music, provides a gritty portrayal of Sonny Carson’s life as an NYC gang member, focusing on his struggles and the consequences of his lifestyle. The film is not about glorifying gang violence but rather about overcoming adversity. While categorized as Blaxploitation, its positive message has led to it being overlooked by mainstream media. Despite its cultural significance, it has been largely forgotten outside hip-hop circles. Sadly, without advocacy for its re-release, it seems destined to fade into obscurity. Copies can still be found online, with burned copies selling for around $20 and original copies for $60. There is also a low-quality version available on YouTube.