Blaxploitation and Kung Fu get the Shaft in the comedy/parody Shafted!, premiering March 11 at SXSW (South-by-Southwest) in Austin, Texas, starring Morgan Rusler (“Galaxy Quest,” “Tomorrow Man”) as a very confused white man who thinks he’s the king of blaxploitation, John Shaft.
Angelle Brooks (“V.I.P.” with Pamela Anderson, “Martin”), Golden Horse Best Actress winner Hayley Man (“Erotique,” “Farewell China”), David J. Alexander (Eddie Murphy’s “Life,” “Geronimo: An American Legend”) join the action. And there’s a cameo appearance by that uh… clown prince of kung fu and blaxploitation, Gary Coleman.
The popularity of “blaxploitation” films spans decades, from movies that defined the genre in the 70s such as “Shaft,” “Dolemite,” and “The Mack,” to an inspired revival in recent years following such hits as Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” and “Jackie Brown.” The “blaxploitation” genre promises to continue to entertain audience into the new millennium with the upcoming releases of MGM’s “Shaft Returns,” directed by John Singleton and starring Samuel L. Jackson; “Dolemite 2000,” which began filming in January and features cameo appearances by Snoop Dogg and Big Daddy Kane; Jersey Films’ development of “Get Christy Love,” starring Don Cheadle; and of course, Shafted!
