Yamekraw
Yamekraw

Movie spotlight

Yamekraw

1930
Movie
10 min
English

In a wordless story with semi-surreal stage sets, a poor black man ventures from his ramshackle rural home to the big city, where a dancing girl in a dive two-times him. He returns to his home and wife's arms.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Oscar MicheauxGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film follows the life of Dick, a Black man from the South who travels to New York City seeking opportunity. He encounters the vibrant nightlife of Harlem, where he falls for a dancer named Snow. However, his dreams are soon complicated by the harsh realities of city life and the temptations of the underworld, leading him down a dangerous path.

Critical Reception

As one of Oscar Micheaux's early sound films, 'Yamekraw' is significant for its portrayal of Black life in Harlem during the Jazz Age. While critical reception at the time was limited and is difficult to ascertain fully, it is recognized today as an important work within early Black cinema, showcasing themes of migration, aspiration, and the challenges faced by African Americans.

What Reviewers Say

  • Notable for its depiction of Harlem during the Prohibition era.

  • Explores themes of ambition and the perils of city life for Black individuals.

  • An important piece of early African American filmmaking.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for 'Yamekraw' is not readily available.

Fun Fact

Oscar Micheaux was a prolific independent filmmaker who produced, wrote, and directed over 40 films between 1919 and 1948, often tackling controversial social issues of the time without the backing of major Hollywood studios.

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