Reviews by Killer of Sheep (1978) FilmAffinity

Charles Burnett's masterpiece evokes the everyday trials, fragile pleasures, and tenacious humor of Black blue-collar life in 1970s Los Angeles.. The film asks the same question and Robeson provides the answer: "All races, all religions / That's America to me." "Killer of Sheep" shows us a part of that America, the invisible.

Killer of Sheep is a 1978 American drama film edited, filmed, written, produced, and directed by Charles Burnett. Shot primarily in 1972 and 1973, it was originally submitted by Burnett to the UCLA School of Film in 1977 as his Master of Fine Arts thesis.. Charles Burnett's 1977 feature debut, 'Killer of Sheep,' was a defining film of the L.A. Rebellion independent Black film movement. The film observes a man named Stan, a slaughterhouse worker, and his family living in the Watts neighborhood, painting an authentic portrait of life in inner-city Los Angeles and the experience of Black communities across America.