1973 жылғы "Мак" фильмі: Қаланың патшасының көтерілісі мен құлауы

1973 US blaxploitation film by Michael Campus
the 1973 film

The Mack is a 1973 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed by California native Michael Campus, starring Max Julien and Richard Pryor. The film also stars Oscar nominee Juanita Moore and Tony nominated actor Dick Anthony Williams. Filmed in Oakland, California the movie follows the rise and fall of Goldie, who returns from a five year prison sentence to find that his brother is involved in Black nationalism. Goldie decides to take an alternative path, striving to become the city's biggest pimp. Though reviews were less than favorable upon initial release, The Mack is considered by many critics to be the best entry in its genre. The film is often categorized as blaxploitation, but Michael Campus, Max Julien, and others involved in its production have argued that the genre label oversimplifies the film. The film's soundtrack was recorded by Motown artist Willie Hutch.

After returning home from a five year prison sentence, John "Goldie" Mickens has a plan to achieve money and power in Oakland, California by becoming a pimp. Goldie's criminal ways contrast with his brother Olinga's Black Nationalist efforts to save the community from drugs and violence. With Slim as his partner and Lulu as his head prostitute, he organizes a team of women and quickly rises to prominence. His success catches the attention of Fat Man, the heroin kingpin that Goldie worked for before heading to prison, and Hank and Jed, two corrupt and racist white detectives. Goldie refuses to work for Fat Man again, and dismisses the detectives' requests to stop his brother from ridding the streets of drugs. As a result, his mother is assaulted which eventually leads to her death. Even though Olinga is disappointed in Goldie because he "brought death to their house," he agrees to help him get revenge. They develop a plan with Slim to seek revenge, but their plans fall apart when Hank and Jed kill Slim at their rendezvous point. They reveal that they are responsible for Goldie's mother's death, causing Goldie and Olinga to kill them both. Realizing that one of his hookers, "Chico", snitched him out to Hank and Jed, he attempts to shoot her but then holds back and leaves. Oakland is now too dangerous and Goldie hugs his brother goodbye and heads out of town on a charter bus.

Production for the film started from early September to late December 1972. According to director Michael Campus, the original script for the film was written on prison toilet paper by Bobby Poole, an inmate at San Quentin. While staying in Oakland for two months, Campus met Frank Ward, a real pimp and drug dealer from Oakland. Max Julien's character of Goldie is based upon him. In order to shoot the movie, Campus needed Ward's permission, because many scenes were filmed in his territory. In exchange for his guidance and protection, Campus put Ward in the film. All of the homeless people, junkies, pimps and women in the film were supplied by Frank Ward. Although Campus had Ward's protection, the film was also in Black Panther territory. During filming, Black Panther party members would throw bottles and trash cans from rooftops. In order for filming to run smoothly, an additional deal had to be made with Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, who were then put in charge of providing extras for the film. About halfway through the production of the film, Frank Ward was shot and killed while in his Rolls Royce. There was speculation that the Black Panthers were responsible for Ward's death, and the filmmakers and cast relocated to safer areas for filming. Despite the tension, the film's opening was shot in Oakland with all of the proceeds going to the Black Panthers' breakfast program.

The film was screened in theaters in only about 20 mostly black communities. Distributors avoided theaters in predominantly white neighborhoods due to a belief the film would do better in black areas. Despite its low distribution, director Michael Campus has noted that the film outgrossed The Godfather in the cities in which it played. Chief Keef also sampled "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" in "Nobody", a collaboration with Kanye West. A$AP Mob also sampled "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" in "Put That On My Set", from their collaborative album Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1: Friends. UGK heavily sampled "I Choose You" in their 2007 song "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring Outkast, from the album Underground Kingz. The song peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Prior to this, the song was sampled by Project Pat for his 2002 song "Choose U", from the album Layin' da Smack Down. Both "Choose U" and "International Players Anthem" were produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia.