With archive film clips and interviews, this brief look at a frequently overlooked historical period of filmmaking acts as an introduction rather than a complete record. It features interviews with some of the genre's biggest stars, like Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree. Director Melvin Van Peebles discusses the historical importance of his landmark film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. For a contemporary perspective, the excitable Quentin Tarantino offers his spirited commentary and author/critic bell hooks provides some scholarly social analysis.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Larry CohenSelf | Self |
 Tamara DobsonSelf | Self |
| RRon FinleySelf | Self |
 Pam GrierSelf | Self |
| EEd GuerreroSelf | Self |
 Isaac HayesSelf | Self |
 Gloria HendrySelf | Self |
| bbell hooksSelf | Self |
| RRoy InnisSelf | Self |
 Jesse JacksonSelf | Self |
 Samuel L. JacksonSelf | Self |
 Max JulienSelf | Self |
 Jim KellySelf | Self |
 Yaphet KottoSelf | Self |
 Curtis MayfieldSelf | Self |
 Elvis MitchellSelf | Self |
 Ron O'NealSelf | Self |
 Gordon ParksSelf | Self |
 Richard RoundtreeSelf | Self |
 Afeni ShakurSelf | Self |
 Quentin TarantinoSelf | Self |
 Melvin Van PeeblesSelf | Self |
| AArmond WhiteSelf | Self |
 Fred WilliamsonSelf | Self |
 Jim BrownSelf | Self |