★★★★
Follows the life of Clarence Avant, the ultimate, uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music, film, TV and politics.
Classification: 15
A fascinating collection of anecdotes and interviews, The Black Godfather tells the story of Clarence Avant, an extremely influential figure who has cemented himself into the history of America. Even if you are aware of Avant, the documentary really digs deep into his relationships with musicians, politicians, record executives and his family to show the highs and lows of his career and the careers that he made possible.
It may seem that The Black Godfather is a puff piece, a long list of flattering stories to bring this unknown figure to many and make him a household name for an unsuspecting audience but it goes deeper. Director Reginald Hudlin wants to show the idiosyncrasy of Avant, how he been driven by his ideals and his mentors but how that there are costs to this success. While the film doesn’t dig deeper into some of Avant’s darker past it does enough to provide a balance and show how Avant has earned the respect of so many. The access this documentary provides is immense with interviews from the Avant himself, his colleagues, family, protégés, it seemingly leaves no stone unturned when showing the vast web that Clarence Avant has been carefully creating his whole life. The documentary even uses graphical visuals to connect all of the interviewees and subjects together.
Avant’s place in these webs are surprising as the audience learns his role in various crucial moments of pop culture. Each story told is filled with enough detail and intrigue that they could be the subjects of their own documentaries and in some cases they even are. From Avant’s record label releasing music from Bill Withers and Dennis Coffey to success and controversy, to taking a chance on a musician named Sixto Rodriguez who was the subject for the incredible documentary Searching For Sugarman, The early career of Avant is already one of notable achievement. However the film keeps going, story after story, industry after industry and how Avant left his mark on America probably without most Americans not even knowing how crucial he was.
Similar to the documentary De Palma, The Black Godfather shows a man reflecting on his life and his deeds. There is very little ego to Clarence Avant, he knows his worth and the worth of others and achieving the best for himself and his friends is his driving force. When speaking of his mentors, Avant utters the line “I don’t have problems, I have friends” which pretty much represents the philosophy which has lead his career and gives an understanding to his role in political America. One of the more interesting elements of Avant are the stories of his involvement in the civil rights movement, he didn’t march or protest he saw his work being just as important for black America if not more. How Hudlin frames the documentary’s timeline and has Avant reflect on these periods of his life along with the interviews from central figures of the times is fascinating as you see how Avant would use his business acumen to be a force to be reckoned with.
The film is bursting with celebrities as it covers over fifty years of American history, the lives he has changed and saved is unbelievable and to see some of the people sing Avant’s praises are incredible. From esteemed public figures, Oscar winning actors to Presidents of the United States, Avant has a photo with anyone who matters or more likely it is the other way around. The Black Godfather is an absolutely incredible experience that will educate and amaze not only because of Avant’s incredible biography but its profound look into his impact on America itself.
Director: Reginald Hudlin
Cast: Clarence Avant, Nicole Avant, Bill Withers, Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie, Jaime Foxx
Release Date: June 7th 2019
Available Exclusively on Netflix.
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images and Synopsis from the Internet Movie Database
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