Title: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
Director: Goran Olsson
Starring: Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli
This is one of the more unique documentaries that has been released in a while based on how it was pieced together along with the perspective of the filmmakers. By the end of the 100 minute piece, the one question that comes up is why is this being released now?
“The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” is made-up of footage complied from Swedish journalist who at the time were doing a more-or-less cinematic thesis on the racial battles that were happening in America during the stated time period. An assortment of interviews with the leaders of the Black Power movement are shown in chronological order starting with Stokely Carmichael in 1967. The film sticks with him up until about 1969 as it glosses over the tragic assassinations of 1968 highlighting the late Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kennedy boys.
From there the audience is introduced to other prominent figures that spoke all over the world in the hopes of ending the racial disparity in America. As the montage of footage is shown, present day people such as Erykah Badu, Questlove and Melvin Van Peebles reflect back on the times, not always agreeing on the heralded figures’ stance who are depicted throughout this doc.
When the film enters the 70s, Angela Davis becomes the focal point as her notable incarceration, and highly debated & publicized court case, sparked riots within the streets of Harlem and Oakland. Even instances of the Vietnam War are weaved in, showcasing how that played a role in the inequality of the African-American race.
Always present is the Swedish perspective; as the footage on display was taken from several journalists. Since this conglomerate product was created by another Swede, there is some brief footage about how the once influential American magazine, TV Guide, accused the country of being anti-American, as some of their (Sweden) reports came across bias and insinuating. While all this is interesting due to the focus on other activists besides the norm (Malcolm X, MLK, etc.), the point of the documentary is all over the place. It started out right with the Carmichael segment, but then flows into random directions without a goal in mind.
Documentaries are meant to educate and present a side of the story. The good ones will also present the counter-argument (whether viable or not) even if it’s trying to prove the exact opposite. Just because this was presented from another country’s point-of-view – despite having present day American activists narrate certain sequences – doesn’t do enough. Although it does showcase and educate on a few areas one may not have learned in school, this really doesn’t state facts we don’t already know and/or have seen in other media products. Which leads to the viewer tuning out by the time 1973 hits.
By far the most interesting parts of this are the tape reels of the late 60s, as one will be hearing from the likes of Angela Davis and the other modern day African-Americans reflect back on the times. Watching the rare interviews with “revolutionary” leaders back then such as Eldridge Cleaver and Bobby Seale is also engaging. There is some Swedish dialogue/reporting by the filmmakers that was salvaged during the time period these interviews were captured; but it’s scattered organization doesn’t have the ability to make one want to follow along at these points.
Overall, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 has the material to gain one’s interest yet its execution as a concise documentary occasionally misses the boat.
Technical: C
Story: B
Acting: N/A
Overall: C+
Review by Joe Belcastro
