Weekend Viewing: Eldridge Cleaver, Black Panther
January 11, 2015 by Nico Jacobsen Video
—01. Filmed and edited by William Klein.
Words
This isn't the first time I've brought up William Klein in the updates section, and it might not be the last. His career is a long and varied one, marked by one astounding success after another. While he is certainly best known as a photographer, he made a series of incredible films in the '60s and '70s, most notably Mr. Freedom and The Model Couple. One is a full-length satirical pseudo-superhero thriller, that will no doubt turn you totally off CGI for at least the next 24 hours, and the other is a reality TV predicting offbeat drama, that no doubt had a large effect on many of the 'quirkier' directors operating today. While both are must-watch films in my opinion, today I'd like to bring your attention to the 1970 film he shot and edited about Eldridge Cleaver, an infamous member of the Black Panther Party. Cleaver was a highly intelligent and deeply angry individual, one who never provides a dull moment when he is on camera. This is an important film and an even more important piece of America's history.
