Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Killer of Sheep(Charles Burnett,1977, US; 81 min.)
Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Producer: Charles Burnett
Editor: Charles Burnett
Cinematography: Charles Burnett
Screenwriter: Charles Burnett
Assistant Sound: Larry Clark
Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Abstract (adapted from DVD box cover):
A masterpiece of African American filmmaking and one of the finest debuts in cinema history, Killer of Sheep was one of the first 50 films to be selected for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry and was chosen by the National Society of Film Critics as one of the 100 Essential Films. Killer of Sheep’s luminous images and extraordinary soundtrack are a revelation. In the Los Angeles community of Watts, Stan, a sensitive dreamer, is growing detached and numb from the toll of working at a slaughterhouse. Frustrated by money problems, he finds solace in moments of simple beauty: the warmth of a teacup against his cheek, slow dancing with his wife, holding his daughter. Combining lyrical moments with neorealist style, Burnett unfolds his story with compassion and humor.
Cast:
Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Stan (Henry G. Sanders)
Stan's Wife (Kaycee Moore)
Bracy (Charles Bracy)
Stan's Daughter (Angela Burnett)
Stan's Son (Jack Drummond)
Eugene (Eugene Cherry)
Slim
Delores Farley
Dorothy Stengel
Tobar Mayo
Chris Terrill
Lawrence Pierott
Russell Miles
Homer Jai
Johnny Smoke
Paul Reed
Steven Lee
Charles Davis
Cecil Davis
Carlos Davis
Dorothy Daniels
Jannie Whitsey
Bill Williams
Calvin Walker
Sammy Kay
Le Roy Seibert
Cassandra Wright
Junior Blaylock
Charles Cody
Sheila Johnson
Lisa Johnson
300 Lbs
Menorie Davis
Tony Davis
Carl Davis
Roderick Johnson
Crystal Davis
Peggy Corban
Vincent Smith
Susan Williams
Soul Thompson
Pat Johnson
Bobby Cox
Cadillac
Arthur Williams Jr.
Calvin Williams
Alvin Williams
Patricia Williams
Brenda Williams
Bruce Warren
Dian Cherry
Latishia Cherry
Jonathan Cherry
Vernell Cherry
Margrenet Clark
Ronald Burnett
Regina Batiste
Henry Andrews
Danny Andrews
Marcus Hamlin
Divinoni Hamlin
Ricky Walsh
Gentry Walsh
Michael Harp
Derek Harp
Reggie Williams
Robert Thompson
Ray Cherry
Verrane Tucker
Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Story and Plot in Citizen Kane
Narrative & NarrationIntroduction to Film/Bonner
Questions for Discussion:
1. How do race, gender, and class relations intersect in Killer of Sheep?Find examples from the film to support your observations.
2. How does Killer of Sheepcompare or respond to the Blaxploitation films we saw in Section 2?With Sweetback or Ganja & Hess? Find examples from the films to support your observations.
3. How does Killer of Sheepcompare to Haile Gerima’s work?Find examples from the films to support your observations.
4. Why is Killer of Sheephistorically important?
5. How does Burnett manifest a Black Film Aesthetic in the mise-en-scene, camerawork, editing, and music? Find examples from the films to support your observations.