Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975)
aka Soul Vengeance Dir. Jamaa Fanaka Welcome Home Brother Charles is a film that is unfortunately as relevant and resonant today as it was when it was released over 40 years ago. In its racial politics at least. Not so much in its sexual politics. But more on that later. It is also unfortunately a little bland, rarely giving up any exploitation goodness until the final act. The second feature of then UCLA student Jamaa Fanaka, best known for the Penitentiary trilogy, Brother Charles is a meandering and disjointed film with a few surreal artistic touches that make it a worthwhile viewing if you can temper your expectations. Brother Charles ’ opening credits play over a dark void in the middle of which is what looks like the Zuni Fetish Doll from Trilogy of Terror if it were designed by H. R. Giger. Accompanying this image is a theme of creepy dissonant horns, priming the viewer for some kind of horror or dark fantasy. However what we’re first presented wi...