Join us for a double-feature of independently-made, rural-set exploitation films that we affectionately dub "Rednecksploitation."
Much as Blaxploitation was a genre not only featuring African-American characters and situations, but also aimed heavily at the same type of audience, so Rednecksploitation (or Hicksploitation) is aimed at southern and rural white audiences, who most likely saw the movies projected at local drive-ins in late-night, double- and triple-features. Featuring good old boys, loose women, country music, car chases, caricature bad guys, guns and lots of beer, the movies depicted about as realistic a portrait of their hillbilly characters as Blaxploitation films did of theirs. But in terms of entertainment value, many of the movies are solid gold and when the mainstream entertainment industry caught on, it gave birth to things like the Dukes of Hazzard TV show, Clint Eastwood's Every Which Way movies and the Smokey and the Bandit phenomenon.
8 pm
Poor Pretty Eddie
When a sophisticated African-American singer's car breaks down in the sticks, suave, Elvis-impersonating mechanic Eddie comes to her rescue. But after he develops an infatuation with her, it turns into a rape-heavy kidnapping, aided by psychotic, jealous hotel owner Big Bertha (Shelley Winters). Funded by porn money and given a spotty release pattern under a variety of titles including Redneck County Rape, Black Vengeance and (in re-edited form) Heartbreak Motel, it's an exploitation gem, and a must-see descent into hallucinogenic sleaze and hillbilly horror, featuring a host of well-known '70s actors doing unspeakable things.
Directors: Richard Robinson & David Worth. 92 min. 1975. 35mm.
9:45 pm
Redneck Miller
Good old boy DJ Miller spins records at a country/western radio station and loves both his Schlitz and his ladies with equal gusto. But when his prize chopper is stolen and used in a drug shipment robbery, he has to take matters into his own hands to clear his name before local "black mafia" leader SuperMac takes it out on his ass. A rip-snortin', southern-made, redneck action fest (with Blaxploitation elements!) that never saw a legit video release in the U.S. And remember, as Miller tells one of his main squeezes: "You can take a lotta loving, but I can only die once!"
Director: John Clayton. ?? min. 1977. 35mm.
Part of the Beer Goggles series. Guest curated by Marc Walkow.
Come early for Happy Hour! An hour before the screening, our cafe will offer $2 off most beer and wine for movie ticket holders. And you can bring your drink into the screening, too!
Ticket Price: $12, member tickets $8