Join us for the second screening presented by Exposure as a part of their series titled Foundations: The L.A. Rebellion and Birth of a New Black Cinema.

Film Synopsis

Bush Mama (1979)- Dorothy, a young mother in Watts, finds her life upended when her partner is arrested. Faced with increasingly difficult choices, she begins to confront the harsh realities of her world—and her own power within it.

Series Overview

Over the second half of the 20th century, a group of visionary Black filmmakers emerged from UCLA to challenge Hollywood norms and redefine what cinema could be. Known as the L.A. Rebellion, these filmmakers rejected mainstream depictions of Black life, instead creating stories that were formally daring, politically charged, and rooted firmly in their shared community and lived experience. This series spans decades and delves into the heart of their movement, featuring "My Brother’s Wedding" a film by Charles Burnett, "Compensation" by Zeinabu irene Davis, "Bush Mama" by Haile Gerima, and a trio of Julie Dash’s groundbreaking shorts ("Diary of an African Nun", "Illusions", and "Four Women"). Individually, these films are foundational works within the canon of Black, independent, and American cinema. Together, they tell a powerful story of resistance, creativity, and liberation, revealing how the L.A. Rebellion reshaped Black storytelling and laid the groundwork for a more authentic, dynamic, and transformative Black cinema.