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Once Priest decides to pursue his last score, he seeks help from his mentor in crime, Scatter, played by an avuncular but cautiously sinister Michael Kenneth Williams. The lieutenant in charge reveals that he is Scatters supplier and that the two men can now go directly to him. I am Director X. Im the director of Superfly 2018. And that robs Superfly of the dramatic flavor a good underworld drama needs. (Click here to read about the 2018 remake.) The famous soundtrack by R&B and soul legend Curtis Mayfield, who had a cameo in the film with his band, actually outgrossed the film. He has two live-in girlfriends, the quietly sophisticated Georgia (Lex Scott Davis) and the younger, flintier Cynthia (Andrea Londo). I wanted Georgia to have a maturity about her. When Priest reacts hostilely, Georgia explains that she loves him and wants to help him cope with the difficulties of street life. After the men leave, Priest finds his partner, Eddie, and asks him how much cash they currently have. After the announcement, Warner Bros. issued an apology for its erroneous submission of the song for consideration. Additionally, the end credits on the original film release and video cassette differ from the DVD. Priest demands his half of their profits from Eddie. Unsurprisingly, cocaine use is frequent. Eddie feigns allegiance with Snow Patrol, and tricks them into an ambush where they are killed by Mason and other cops alerted by Priest. Scatter wont give him a bigger cut of drugs to sell, so Priest, accompanied by his scampish partner, Eddie (played by the scene-stealing Jason Mitchell, whos like Tracy Morgans amoral little brother), goes right over his head by driving down to Mexico and connecting with the cartel thats the source of their product. Juju, a member of rival gang Snow Patrol, hits on Cynthia and, shooting at Priest, accidentally hits a bystander. Snow Patrol members led by Juju shoot up Priest's mansion. To me that movie felt like an accurate portrayal of Harlem during that period. Common Sense Media. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. SuperFly (2018) Cast & Crew Cast; Crew; Trevor Jackson Youngblood Priest Jason Mitchell Eddie Michael Kenneth Williams Scatter Lex Scott Davis Georgia Jennifer Morrison Detective Mason Kaalan Walker Juju Esai Morales Adalberto Gonzalez Andrea Londo Cynthia Big Bank Black "Q" Big Boi Mayor Atkins Jacob Ming-Trent Fat Freddie . We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Superfly reflects the gun-madness of modern American society, with drug dealers and police alike bearing arsenals-worth of military-style firearms and using them with a chillingly casual frequency. Super Fly is a 1972 Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. (son of Shaft director Gordon Parks) starring Ron O'Neal, Carl Lee and Julius Harris. Superfly (one word) the remake and the original Super Fly (two words, from 1972) are in many respects similar. He isnt a bad actor, but its not like he finds many gradations within a young hustlers survivalist pout. It ended up grossing $6.9 million in its opening weekend (a five-day total of $9 million), finishing sixth at the box office. No car can outrun fate. He voices his sense of vulnerability from the heights of his terrace overlooking the city: This can all be taken away for stupid shit. He hammers the movie home in a one-liner reserved for the end, but to quote it is to make the whole plot unravel. ONeal, Shore and Parks, Jr. vehemently defended the film many times, with ONeal, in an Oct 1972 LAHExam interview, pointing out that the picture presented a true slice of Harlem life and that Priest triumphs at the end by using his wits, not just physical force. Movie Info. The Man so trenchantly invoked by Mayfield was incarnated in the earlier film by a white police superintendent who wants Priest as his puppet. Nate Adams coordinated the fashion and wardrobe for the film. The website's critical consensus reads, "Superfly updates the blaxploitation original with a stylish remake that's exciting and visually arresting enough to offer its own slickly staged action rewards, but disappointingly short on social subtext. suggesting a diversity update. Priest has anticipated Eddie's duplicity, however, and gives the briefcase carrying the money to a disguised Georgia in exchange for one full of rags. Junius Griffin, the head of the Hollywood branch of the NAACP stated, "we must insist that our children are not exposed to a steady diet of so-called black movies that glorify black males as pimps, dope pushers, gangsters, and super males. "Scatter" Stephens Was A Cleveland Street Legend & The Real Superfly 2 years ago Scott Burnstein You are unauthorized to view this page. (screenplay by) Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Produced by Music by Josh Atchley Cinematography by Amir Mokri Film Editing by Joel Negron Casting By Tamara-Lee Notcutt Production Design by What does it mean, and how is Super Fly an example of the genre? He also has a run-in with the Snow Patrol, a rival crew of coke dealers who dress in white. . The article noted that Mayfield was not qualified for a nomination for Best Dramatic Score because five songs needed to be submitted, and Warners only submitted three. Although the article stated that Mayfields manager was contemplating filing suit against the Academy, the action was not taken. 58 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Superfly: See Michael Kenneth Williams as Scatter when #SUPERFLY arrives At Cinemas September 14 Yes, Scream VI Marketing Is Behind the Creepy Ghostface Sightings Causing Scares Across the U.S. David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan's 'Bass Reeves' Series at Paramount+ Casts King Richard Star Demi Singleton (EXCLUSIVE), Star Trek: Discovery to End With Season 5, Paramount+ Pushes Premiere to 2024. 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. Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes, and lines from all your favorite films. .st1{display:none;fill:#FFFFFF;} [According to contemporary sources, ONeal, the star of Super Fly, had been considered to star in Shaft but was deemed too light-skinned for the role.] As noted in reviews, the picture was shot completely in New York City, and mostly in Harlem. Later on I found out, Big Boi has that hat, Bank has that hat, King Luther has that hat. Controversy continued to swirl around the Academys decision to exclude the song, with the executive committee of the music branch convening to discuss the songs ineligibility. The look for the Snow Patrol was scripted, says Messam, describing the rival gang that prides itself on dressing in all-white. Roy Innis, the leader of CORE, also proposed that a black review board should pre-edit African-American-oriented films before they were theatrically released and that profits from the pictures be turned over to black-dominated communities to advance educational opportunities. The Snow Patrol members leave while Priest gives the victim money and directs them to the trauma center. Reardon threatens Priest that he must continue selling drugs as long as he is ordered to, but when Priest replies defiantly, the policemen begin to beat him. Parks, Jr. would make only three more films before his death in 1979 in an airplane crash. Featured image:Jason Mitchell and Trevor Jackson in SUPERFLY. It treats Atlanta the way all those thrillers of the 90s treated Toronto,as a big gleaming anonymous generi-city. Adalberto kills Scatter, having realized he was stealing from him. See our. Adalberto threatens Priest, telling him that he can never get out of the game. He has a luxurious apartment, two girlfriends, and lots of money. Instead of paying off Mason, Priest tips off police and she is arrested for cocaine possession. However, w. Its initial success transcended the African American audience it was made for at a time when African American actors were hardly ever given lead roles in movies. "Superfly", a song on The O.C. Kaalan "KR" Walker as Juju, a member of the Snow Patrol, a rival drug outfit, who takes an immediate dislike to Priest and plots to kill him. We get almost no sense of the dailiness of Priests existence. 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 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. (Click here to read about the 2018 remake .) Priest, whose real power is information (hes got it on everyone), is surrounded by player-predators who are less cunning but more crudely violent than he is. (screenplay by) Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Produced by Music by Curtis Mayfield Cinematography by James Signorelli . The movie opens with Priest paying a visit to another dealer, his debtor, named Litty (Allen Maldonado), and being greeted at the door by an assault weapon. How are remakes similar to and different from the originals? This looks like a good compromise for motor/prop placement. Curtis Mayfield as Curtis Mayfield, Julius Harris as Scatter, and Al Kiggins as Policeman. Gritty, mature cop story with violence and nudity. The film's soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield was well enough received that he was sought for other soundtracks. The American Dream is invoked several times in Superfly. The mentions come from the movies lead character, and from a song on the soundtrack. Classic '70s drama with drugs, violence, cursing. Super Fly stopped airing in 1970. . Its all about the accumulation of wealth and a sybaritic lifestyle. Photograph by Quantrell D. Colbert / Sony Pictures Entertainment, The New Yorker Interview with David Remnick, Everything Is Cinema: The Working Life of Jean-Luc Godard. There is a 2018 remake of this movie. Although Joseph Sistrom is listed as producer in various contemporary sources, the SAB at >>. If George Michael and Mr. T had a baby and dressed him in the sleekest of designer leather, he might look like this guy. Fat Freddie: Listen, Priest, that's my wife you're talking about, man. In addition, the picture marked the first screenplay written by Philip Fenty. Three weeks prior, it was moved up two days to June 13, 2018, in order to avoid direct competition with Incredibles 2. The brightly littered Manhattan streets, the cozy squalor of the bars and drug dens, even the cruddiness of the apartments: All fuse into a bombed-out yet strangely liberated mood that lets you know why the hero would choose the life of a cocaine kingpin, because its the only way he has to leave behind the racist prison of a jive job with chump change, day after day. The atmosphere told the story, and so did Curtis Mayfields music (Im a pusher man), and so did Ron ONeals suavely furious performance. With such a big score, they will be able to retire comfortably and find other employment, although Eddie protests that crime is the only option left to them by The Man. Priest is determined, however, and that night, approaches Scatter, a retired dealer who started Priest in the business. In the movie, that underworld comes to the surface of society mainly in the form of media representations (such as television-news accounts)which are themselves part of the story, and part of the sleek glow with which Director X endows his film. It was like the fastest production ever!, says the Jamaican-born designer. 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. With such a big score, they will be able to retire comfortably and find other employment, although Eddie protests that crime is the only option left to them by The Man. Priest is determined, however, and that night, approaches Scatter, a retired dealer who started Priest in the business. Courtesy Sony Pictures. Militant: Dig it, dope peddler. Using his knowledge of karate, Priest overcomes his foes, then reveals that he knows who Reardon is. The lieutenant reveals that he is Scatter's supplier and that they can have as much "weight," as they want, and will be extended both credit and protection. He confides to a lieutenant, Eddie (Jason Mitchell), that he wants out. Youngblood Priest: I ain't givin' you sh*t! Superfly (2018 film), a remake of the 1972 blaxploitation film Superfly (soundtrack), a soundtrack album from the 2018 film "Super Fly" (Giant Panda song), a 2005 single by Giant Panda "Superfly", a song by 4 Non Blondes on their only album Bigger, Better, Faster, More! Frequent profanity, including the "N" word, "motherf----r," and "f--k." Lead character uses the word "f--got." The next day, Freddie is picked up for fighting, and when he is beaten by the police, he reveals when and where Priest and Eddie are to pick up the first kilo of cocaine from Scatter. A remake of the 1972 blaxploitation classic trades in its drug-dealer-as-outlaw-capitalist mythology for a glossy, slammed-together genre flick. (Hes played in the earlier film by Ron ONeal; in the remake, by Trevor Jackson.) Altogether, such an independently financed film ultimately had unusually large financial backing. Priest overcomes his foes using karate, then reveals that he knows exactly who Reardon is. In mid-Apr 1972, Var reported that the films low-key, successful location shooting in Harlem was due to its being a non-union effort, thus the lack of production publicity and ease of using all-black technicians. The article added that after raising the required funds, the filmmakers agreed to their backers request that as many blacks as possible [be employed] in front and behind the camera, although the financiers agreed to allow white producer Shore oversee the project. Scatter gives Priest a packet of information on Reardon and his family, then arranges to meet him later, when Priest will give him money with which to flee New York. Scatter reveals that the real head of the operation is Deputy Commissioner Reardon, who is trying to kill him for quitting. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Outcry against the film prompted several groups in Los Angeles, notably the Coalition Against Blaxploitation (CAB) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), to assert that a separate ratings and review board for black films should be set up and overseen by CORE, according to the Jan 1973 LAT article. Furthermore, Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack remains one of the greatest movie soundtrack albums from the '70s or any other time. Eddie: I went along with that thing of yours about getting out cause I had nothing else. In the DVD release, Warner Bros. decided to fade out the track midway right as "The End" is shown, and again brings up the AOL/Warner logo. Priest lives with two women, Georgia (Lex Scott Davis), a black woman, who also plays a significant role in his operation, as the head of an art gallery thats one of his fronts, and Cynthia (Andrea Londo), whos Hispanic, and who doesnt play a major role in his business. Deputy Commissioner: Who the f*** do you think you're talking to? Producer Sig Shore directed a second sequel, The Return of Superfly, released in 1990, with Nathan Purdee as Priest. Radius. Once Priest decides to pursue his "last score," he seeks help from his mentor in crime, Scatter, played by an avuncular but cautiously sinister Michael Kenneth Williams. He becomes a potent weapon in Priests score settling. The powerless Reardon then watches as Priest walks away free, giving the policemen one final glare before driving off to join Georgia. And indeed, when they pop up, they infuse the movie with fresh rhythm. With my record I can't even work civil service or join the damn army. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, Trailers from Hell Presents: The Movies That Made Me: Alex Tse, hair stylist: second unit (as Steven A. Battaglia), key hair stylist (as Talya R. Melvey) / key hair stylist, production supervisor: second unit / second unit, second second assistant director: second unit, assistant property master / property master: 2nd unit, assistant property master: 2nd unit (as Suzu Tran) / props buyer (as Suzu Tran), second boom operator / sound mixer: splinter unit, re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor, visual effects executive producer: Southbay, assistant visual effects editor: Outpost VFX / roto/prep artist: Outpost VFX, visual effects executive producer: VFX Legion, compositing lead: Southbay (as Aaron Gerard Chiesa), visual effects executive producer: Crafty Apes, visual effects production manager: Southbay, 3d artist: Crafty Apes (as Patrick Sullivan), visual effects production manager: VFX Legion, visual effects artist: Southbay (uncredited), visual effects editor: Outpost VFX (uncredited), digital compositor: VFX Legion (uncredited), executive vfx supervisor: southbay CCO (uncredited), stunt double: Brian F. Durkin (uncredited) / stunt driver (uncredited), precision driver/precision car coordinator (uncredited), covering stunt coordinator (uncredited) / stunts (uncredited), stunt performer/stunt driving double: Trevor Jackson (uncredited), stunt double: Lex Scott Davis (uncredited), stunt driver: camera bike rider (uncredited), stunt double: Jason Mitchell/Jacob Latimore (uncredited), stunt driver (uncredited) / stunt driving double: Trevor Jackson (uncredited), stunt double: Dominique Madison (uncredited), first assistant camera "a" camera: second unit, camera operator: "a" camera (as Kirk Gardner) / steadicam operator (as Kirk Gardner), assistant chief lighting technician / best boy electric, first assistant camera: "b" camera, second unit, additional set lighting technician (as Mark Sunderland), assistant colorist: Company 3 (uncredited), key assistant location manager: second unit, production assistant / promotional services, key set production assistant: second unit, stand in: Jared Losano / stand in: Kevin Young / stand in: Kurt Yue, production coordinator: title sequence design, production assistant / set production assistant: 2nd unit.