Its comments on the lack of legitimate opportunity for African Americans in the inner city remains relevant -- relevant enough to bring on a remake of the movie 46 years after the original film's release. In response, Freddy (without Priests permission) shoots up a barbershop thats a Snow Patrol hangout, and a game of bloody vengeance is launched. Scatter initially refuses to help Priest. Cynthia is killed, and Priest and Georgia set fire to the mansion. Within those cynically defined contemporary parameters, Youngblood Priest (Trevor Jackson, dressed to the nines and sporting what one character derides as Morris Day hair) is doing well. Applied post-scattering, so textures applied to this input will remain sharp. Theres another crucial difference between the two films, a difference that marks virtually every encounter, every scene, every moment: firepower. And he was there a week ahead of time doing the work and getting the choreography down. Both enraged and scared, Priest gives the information on Reardon and an envelope of cash to two mafia men and takes out a $100,000 contract on "the Man's" life. Yeah, if I choke on a chicken bone, all the Reardons is dead. Essential drama about violent chapter in U.S. history. The wide shots are really stunt people. Now, if you don't get me my money *tonight*, I'm gonna put that young girl of your's out on whore's row. Super Fly also marked the first effort as a motion picture producer for Shore (19192006), . Fat Freddie is pulled over by corrupt cops Franklin and Mason. Unlike the earlier film, the new one (written by Alex Tse) goes beyond the local streetside and backroom focus of the drug trade to expose a vipers nest of conspiracies that extend from the internecine conflicts between groups of dealers to the collaboration of major elected officials. 26 Jan 2023 07:44:06 . Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes, and lines from all your favorite films. Cynthia: [after refusing a snort of coke because Priest is going to leave rather than stay for sex] Some things go better with coke. The look for the Snow Patrol was scripted, says Messam, describing the rival gang that prides itself on dressing in all-white. Motion Picture Association, Inc. Theyre led by the roly-poly, hard-as-rusty-nails Q (Big Bank Black), the closest thing this movie has to an authentic hoodlum, but its when Priest is attacked by Qs hothead-sociopath protg, Juju (Kaalan KR Walker), that he realizes the time has come for him to take the money and run. The hero of Superfly certainly has the right to be a stud, but the difference between the two movies is that the new version, directed by the Canadian-born hip-hop video veteran Julian Christian Lutz (who bills himself as Director X, a moniker that seems caught between black nationalism and Whats My Line?), has no resonance, no real atmosphere, and almost no social context. Although the timid Freddie abhors violence, he agrees and accompanies a member of Priests family of lower-level dealers to commit the robbery. The moral conundrum of drug dealing among African-Americans was addressed mostly by Curtis Mayfields superb soundtrack, which functioned as a kind of Greek chorus. Its all about the accumulation of wealth and a sybaritic lifestyle. But you kill me, and you and your whole f***in' family die. Hugh Hart has covered movies, television and design for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wired and Fast Company. When they reached out to me, I was like Tell me what you got? The hot-tempered Eddie threatens Scatter, demanding that he reveal his source if he will not supply them, but Scatter disarms Eddie and holds him at gunpoint. (Click here to read about the 2018 remake .) Scatter gives Priest a packet of information on Reardon and his family. ', Jason Mitchells Eddie, a Player on the Make, We first see Eddie wearing a Diesel tee shirt, Messam says. (Hes played in the earlier film by Ron ONeal; in the remake, by Trevor Jackson.) Keep up with The Credits for the latest in film, television, and streaming. It's time for you to start payin some dues, nigga! Their argument is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Scatter, who is being pursued by his supplier. If you go back and watch a vintage blaxploitation film like Super Fly (1972), it has a time-capsule quality that only enhances the low-rent documentary scuzziness of its atmosphere. He died on 17 April 1986 in New York City, New York, USA. But his supplier and mentor, Scatter (Michael Kenneth Williams), refuses to increase Priests supply, so Priest takes matters into his own hands and attempts to deal directly with Adalberto Gonzalez (Esai Morales), the head of a Mexican drug carteland, in so doing, he enters a labyrinth of menace. In his flattened long hair and wide collars and designer sideburns, he may have looked like a coke-spoon version of DArtagnan, but his need to claw his way out to use the drug game to defeat the man suffused every scene. Scatter is captured by the corrupt policemen, who give him a fatal overdose of drugs. [1], Variety's Owen Gleiberman wrote: "Shot in a functional, slammed-together manner that's less sensually stylish than you'd expect from a music-video auteur, the film is a competent yet glossy and hermetic street-hustle drug thriller, less a new urban myth than a lavishly concocted episode. All rights reserved. Thats how hungry the audience was for a new screen mythology of African-American manhood. Eddie threatens Scatter, demanding that he reveal his source if he will not supply them, but Scatter holds him at gunpoint. Priest confides in his second-in-command Eddie that he wants out of drug-dealing, and has a plan. This Superfly has original songs by the hip-hop artist Future, whos also a producer of the film. Anyone can read what you share. Super Fly (1972) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb The parents' guide to what's in this movie. Shot in a functional, slammed-together manner thats less sensually stylish than youd expect from a music-video auteur, the film is a competent yet glossy and hermetic street-hustle drug thriller, less a new urban myth than a lavishly concocted episode. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1998. Film Review: 'Superfly'. And indeed, when they pop up, they infuse the movie with fresh rhythm. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Within the recent wave of gender-flipped casting, its fascinating to see Morrison portray the sort of scum cop who is never, in the movies, a woman. She upends the stereotype by digging into the role with relish. Parents need to know that Super Fly is a 1972 movie about a cocaine dealer attempting to make a deal large enough to retire and get out of the business. They discover cocaine and find Eddie in Freddie's contacts. I'll tell you what you do, you go get you a gun and all those black folks you keep doin' so much talkin' about get guns, and come back ready to go down, then I'll be right down front killin' whitey. The National Catholic Office gave the film a C, or condemned, rating, stating: This kind of black liberation serves only to deceive the brothers and play upon the fears of black audiences. Many African-American groups and critics targeted the film, asserting that it glorified drug usage, violence, obtaining wealth through crime and sexual stereotypes about black men. Manthiahas Diawara suggested that the film's glorification of drug dealers served to subtly critique the civil rights movement's failure to provide better economic opportunities for black America and that the portrayal of a black community controlled by drug dealers serves to highlight that the initiatives of the civil rights movement were far from fully accomplished. Priest manages to get to terms with him just before some henchmen are going to throw him from a private jet. What are some other movies with unforgettable soundtracks? As the lead character Youngblood Priest, the late Ron O'Neal brought a fresh take on the "man of few words" cinema archetype. Later on I found out, Big Boi has that hat, Bank has that hat, King Luther has that hat. Priest and Eddie are joined by Freddie, who turns over the money he stole. A remake was released in 2018. Python Data Analysis with Pandas and Matplotlib - GitHub Pages Besides pimpin'? Yet all the threats and double-crosses are, in a word, standard. One of the groups formed specifically to fight the film and other similar exploitations films, according to a Sep 1972 Var article, called itself Blacks Against Narcotics. New York City--Harlem New York United States. It was also noted that Mayfield had accused the Academy of a racial bias, although he was declining to file suit because the title song from Super Fly had been considered for the Oscar balloting. Priest diffuses the Youngblood Priest, an African-American drug dealer who specializes in selling cocaine, enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in Harlem. ' Messam outfitted Mitchell in GStar jeans and a John Varvatos leopard print leather jacket. Priest thanks Eddie for his help and prepares to leave the country with Georgia. The film was directed by Director X, written by Alex Tse and stars Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Michael K. Williams, Lex Scott Davis, and Jennifer Morrison. Yam pepper scatter scatter . The Man so trenchantly invoked by Mayfield was incarnated in the earlier film by a white police superintendent who wants Priest as his puppet. I was literally fitting him in between scenes, when the poor baby would be half asleep and Id be like Try this on Trevor, while I pin and tailor things on him., Michael Kenneth Williams plays Priests mentor Scatter. In addition, the picture marked the first screenplay written by Philip Fenty. Although the timid Freddie abhors violence, he agrees and accompanies another member of Priest's "family" of lower-level dealers to commit the robbery. He yearns to go straight, despite the fortune he makes. That night, after picking up the kilo from Scatter, Priest and Eddie are apprehended by several policemen. How Superfly s' Costume Designer Curated the Sensational Look [5] The film made $1.2 million on its first day,[9] $938,583 on its second and $1.8 million on its third. According to a 17 Sep 1972 NYT article, the project was initially brought to Shore by first-time screenplay writer Philip Fenty after Fenty and actor Ron ONeal, a longtime friend, had worked together to develop the story. To stay up to date with the The Credits, subscribe to our newsletter. See our. For Scatter, I wanted a silhouette that was a little more elevated than a traditional two-piece Adidas track suit., Boxraw contacted Messam after seeing her contributions to Ryan Coogler-directed 2015 boxing movie Creed. [8] Several California organized crime veterans, including drug trafficker "Freeway" Rick Ross, have cited the film as an influence in their decision to take up drug dealing and gang violence. His competition is a flamboyant and much larger outfit known as the Snow Patrol, led by Q (Big Bank Black) and recognized by their all-white attire. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't be here, I'd be O.D'ed some place. A 1972 Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. Ron O'Neal stars as Priest, an up-and-coming successful cocaine dealer in New York City. Another controversy surrounding Mayfields score for Super Fly arose from the role of arranger Johnny Pate, who receives onscreen credit as music conducted by. As reported by a Sep 1972 LAT article, Pate, with whom Mayfield had worked several times before the films soundtrack, claimed that Mayfield had merely dictated ideas, while it was Pate who did the actual arranging, scoring, voicing, or orchestrating. Mayfield disputed Pates statements that he was unacknowledged, noting that Pate did receive adequate credit for his contributions on the Super Fly soundtrack liner notes. Nearly every character in the film, with the notable exception of his "main squeeze," tries to dissuade Priest from quitting; their chief argument being that dealing and snorting are the best he ever could achieve in life. That mythology helped to fuel the rise of hip-hop, and now, of course, it is everywhere. Sakall." Although a Sep 1971 HR article listed Shores company Plaza Productions as the films intended production company, Superfly, Ltd. is listed onscreen and by copyright materials. Both enraged and scared, Priest conducts a meeting with two white men, then confronts Eddie. Scatter is captured by the corrupt policemen, who give him a fatal overdose of drugs. SuperFly Trailer: Superfly: Character Piece-Scatter - Metacritic The blaxploitation films were often criticized by African-Americans for glorifying criminals, yet theres no denying that the idea of the pusher as underground American capitalist emerged from a world of narrow choices. Priest explains that he hired contract killers to murder Reardon and his entire family should anything happen to him. I remember Curtis Mayfields great music and the way Ron Neal carried himself. Youngblood Priest: I ain't bullshittin' you, captain. That night, after picking up the kilo from Scatter, Priest and Eddie are apprehended by several policemen. Trevors only 21 playing a 27 year old, and he worked so hard, she says. Although Joseph Sistrom is listed as producer in various contemporary sources, the SAB at >>. According to an Oct 1972 LAT article, Var had reported that by Sep 1972, Super Fly was third behind The Godfather and Play It Again, Sam (see above for both) in the list of top-grossing films of 1972. Eddie argues that crime is the only option left to them by "The Man." Priest's white mistress, Cynthia, is dismayed to learn that Priest does not return her love and is planning on quitting the business. Ya know, you've got this fantasy in your head about gettin outta the life and setting that other world on its ear. [10][11], On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 51% based on 102 reviews, and an average rating of 5.3/10. Review: 'Superfly' Adds Bling to an Old Tale - The New York Times The first film titled Super Fly (two words instead of one) was a low-budget affair with a gritty look and a claustrophobic feel. Hes got a beautiful house and a beautiful car, commands respect, and presides over an uneasy peace with Snow Patrol, a competing drug gang that wears all white. By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. (Click here to read about the 2018 remake.) Quotes.net. Super Fly is a 1972 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed by Gordon Parks, Jr. and starring Ron O'Neal as Youngblood Priest, an African American cocaine dealer who is trying to quit the underworld drug business. Synopsis Youngblood Priest, a young Atlanta cocaine kingpin, has been working the streets since he was eleven. Classic '70s drama with drugs, violence, cursing. Super Fly (1972) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Gordon Parks Jr. Instead of paying off Mason, Priest tips off police and she is arrested for cocaine possession. | Shore received the bulk of the profits since he put up the most money, 40 percent, while the actors, directors, and scriptwriters split the remaining profits. "Pusherman," "Little Child Runnin' Wild," "No Thing on Me," "Give Me Your Love" and "Superfly," music and lyrics by Curtis Mayfield. So physicality is still pretty second nature to him. He came out of a dance background. The hot-tempered Eddie threatens Scatter, demanding that he reveal his source if he will not supply them, but Scatter disarms Eddie and holds him at gunpoint. Most drug dramas are set in New York or L.A. (at this point, a dated cinematic reflex), but what matters is forging a vivid sense of place. Made by movie fans, for movie fans. It ended up grossing $6.9 million in its opening weekend (a five-day total of $9 million), finishing sixth at the box office. Youngblood Priest (Ron O'Neal), an African-American cocaine dealer, enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in Harlem. Although a Sep 1971 HR article listed Shores company Plaza Productions as the films intended production company, Superfly, Ltd. is listed onscreen and by copyright materials. Gritty, mature cop story with violence and nudity. When I pulled out a jacket that establishes Priests character, X said Is that Alexander Wang? He did a promo for them so he recognized the jacket right away.. One day, Priest confronts Fat Freddie, one of his clients, about money that Freddie owes and threatens to force Freddies wife into prostitution unless he robs a competitor. 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Rowling More Grace and Listen to Her, Britain's $4 Billion Boss: ITV Chief Carolyn McCall Bets It All on Talent, 2023 Music Festivals: How to Buy Tickets to Coachella, Governors Ball, Lollapalooza and More. Superfly was remade by Director X and released in June 2018 with a cast that included Trevor Jackson and Jason Mitchell.[14]. With my record I can't even work civil service or join the damn army. He died in 1986 of an overdose. But the experience of watching these movies is very differentas different as night and day. | 2023 Cond Nast. Curtis Mayfield as Curtis Mayfield, Julius Harris as Scatter, and Al Kiggins as Policeman. The rival gang is Snow Patrol, always decked out in pure white: white fur, white guns, white jeans, white Lamborghinis and white Range Rovers .