(Directed by Charles Burnett, 1978, 80 min.)
Featuring an extraordinary soundtrack and heralding the “L.A. Rebellion” filmmakers at UCLA, this groundbreaking drama follows a sensitive dreamer (Houston-born Henry Gayle Sanders) who is exhausted by his job at a slaughterhouse. Preceded by When It Rains (Directed by Charles Burnett 1995, 13 min.) A musician spends New Year’s Day trying to help his friend pay the rent. Streaming through August 30

This week in Virtual Cinema, two award-winning directors explore social injustice.

► Killer of Sheep

“One of the masterpieces of American cinema” —NPR

Focusing on the everyday life of working-class Black families rarely seen in American cinema, 1978’s Killer of Sheep centers on Stan (Houston-born Henry Gayle Sanders), a sensitive dreamer exhausted by the routine of his job at a slaughterhouse. Filmmaker Charles Burnett maintains authenticity with his documentary-like style and use of non-professional actors. One of the first 50 films selected for the Library of Congress National Film Registry, Killer of Sheep is presented as part of the film series accompanying the exhibition Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power. Preceding Killer of Sheep is Burnett’s 1995 short film When It Rains, focusing on a musician who spends New Year’s Day trying to help a friend pay rent. 

• Killer of Sheep WATCH HERE (July 15–August 30) Your purchase ($4.99) supports the MFAH and provides access to the film for three days. See the Trailer