Hello again world, and welcome back to my blog. For today's entry, I decided to talk about my perceived deeper meaning towards a blaxploitation classic. Last night, I watched the film "Superfly" on television, my first time seeing it in at least two years (and second overall). Culturally, the film is a blaxploitation standard that is punctuated by its musical score/soundtrack by the great Curtis Mayfield. The film itself stands atop the pantheon with other classics as "The Mack", "Foxy Brown" and blaxploitation's first and greatest known effort, "Shaft". The plot of "Superfly" is about a polished drug dealer named Priest who wishes to leave the trade but must make one last score that will provide enough money for him to live comfortably (at least for a while) in his exile. But in performing this daring caper, he steadily deflects criticism for his decision, and more importantly must avoid entrapment from corrupt officials that plan to keep him in the life.
As I watched "Superfly", I came to appreciate Priest's journey to freedom. I took from this film that true freedom and choice means true sacrifice; I mean, to give up all that profit and luxury for, if anything else, peace of mind? That's an astonishing choice. But what strikes me most about it is that he knew to work and prepare for that true freedom, as he knew during the course of the movie he was not free. He also knew his captivity spread to others, as since he was in a position of power he knew he had to maintain brute force and intimidation. For example, he puts the nonviolent Fat Freddie to commit violent tasks (which would ultimately cost Freddie his life, "Freddie's Dead"), and then laments to his partner Eddie about this decision.
Speaking of his partner, in fact, I found their relationship through the movie quite allegorical to the house negro (Eddie) and the field negro (Priest). The reason behind that is for this mere fact; whereas Priest was a person who found the determination to be self-defined and independent, Eddie was basically floating towards whichever side or purpose fit him best and would have to work for least. Eddie had no sort of vision for himself, and never really claimed responsibility for himself or anything in his life. By the end of the movie I found him to be a willing, but paid, slave to whichever entity provided the materialistic lifestyle he so loved. This of course puts a rift between he and Priest, as Eddie would become his biggest detractor against going straight, moreso out of Eddie's self-preservational leech mentality.
I connect to "Superfly"'s dream of freedom in life most in his excited outlook towards new opportunity and choice. In the scene where his girlfriend asks him what will he do when he is out of the game, he in effect replies that he doesn't know what his future will be but is nevertheless excited by the possibilities of it; possibilities that from then on he will totally assume and control. I think that statement reflects what I feel to be the truest feeling of total independence for oneself, as they come to the realization that only they can- and must- commit themselves to the direction of their lives, having the confidence in their decisions and readiness in their outcomes. As I stated earlier, true freedom means true sacrifice, so in making this choice you must be fully ready and prepared. I think in all that is what I perceive to be the underlying message in "Superfly".
Well, that's about it for now folks. In closing, I'll leave you with the classic "Superfly" theme by the great Curtis Mayfield. Thanks for taking the time to read the blog- in all honesty, I hope it made sense.Let me know what you think about this and other entries. Until then, peace out.
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