Hell Up In Harlem
dir. Larry Cohen · 1973
Feature
Revenge & Justice
Mood
Dark / Tense
Look
gritty realism with stark contrasts
Structure
linear progression with escalating conflict
Plot
Tommy comes from a forced rest period due to injuries suffered in Harlem's gang warfare. With the help of his girl, he will reorganize his gang, and overcome his rival gang leaders, through extreme acts of violence and death.
Why watch
Tommy emerges from a forced hiatus, nursing wounds from Harlem's brutal gang wars, determined to reclaim his territory and avenge his past. The film immerses you in a world where loyalty is tested through violence, and love can be as dangerous as a bullet.
Cultural context
1970s urban decayrise of blaxploitation cinemasocio-political tensions in Harlemrepresentation of African American narratives