Stuff You Should Know SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How Exploitation Films Work
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Jun 27, 2025 Dive into the underbelly of cinema as the hosts unravel the fascinating world of exploitation films from the 1930s to the 80s. Explore how societal taboos shaped this genre, the revolutionary blaxploitation movement, and the duality of objectification and empowerment in female leads. Discover Bruce Lee's impact on the martial arts film industry and modern revivals of gritty 70s aesthetics. The conversation is sprinkled with trivia and entertaining anecdotes, making it a fun ride through the shadows of film history.
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Core of Exploitation Films
- Exploitation films often exploit the seedier human aspects like fears, sexuality, and violence.
- They serve these elements in an exaggerated, larger-than-life manner that mainstream cinema avoids.
Hays Code Fueled Exploitation
- The Hays Code's censorship ironically fueled exploitation films by pushing them underground.
- Filmmakers used guerrilla screenings to show taboo content that Hollywood couldn't touch.
Exploitative Roots and Evolution
- Exploitation films initially focused on drugs, violence, and sex, often presented as documentaries or cautionary tales.
- The 1960s explosion removed many restrictions and birthed more complex genres like grindhouse films.