Film shows the true story of the first Black stock car driver to win a NASCAR race.
Happy Juneteenth from the entire team here at a/perture! In celebration of this important day, we are excited to partner with Triad Cultural Arts to present one of the most iconic films directed by a Black filmmaker in history: “Greased Lightning.” This one-time screening will be held on Sunday, June 21, at 4:15 p.m.
This underseen film stars Richard Pryor as Virginia’s own Wendell Scott, the first Black stock car racing driver to win an upper-tier NASCAR race. The film was directed by Black filmmaker Michael Schultz, who also directed “Cooley High” (1975) and “Car Wash” (1976) immediately prior to this film.
Released in 1977 but largely set in post-war Virginia, the film doesn’t shy away from the prejudice that Wendell Scott faced not only as the first champion Black stock car driver, but as a man trying to establish a living for himself and his family.
An all-star supporting cast includes Pam Grier (“Coffy”, “Jackie Brown”) as Scott’s wife; Cleavon Little (“Blazing Saddles”) as his childhood best friend and de-facto racing manager; and Richie Havens as his mechanic, who is best known as the musician who opened Woodstock. A winning biopic focusing on Black excellence and the importance of family, “Greased Lightning” is charming, thrilling, and an unexpected showcase for Richard Pryor.
For Tickets, go to www.aperturecinema.com.