The Transcoding Of Blaxploitation Films: Jackie Brown And Foxy Brown

The meaning of transcoding is recreating an idea of a film, similar to one already made but with a changed plot that has similar themes. Related films such as Blacula and Shaft both represent blaxploitation along with Jackie Brown and Foxy Brown.

Jackie Brown is a good example of transcoding. Quentin Tarantino’s similar film based off of Foxy Brown. Foxy Brown used blaxploitation, which also transitioned into a similar version of the movie in tarantino’s film over twenty years later, but would put off a different feeling. The film showed Foxy to be a more of a direct sexualized character more than the later version “Jackie Brown”. The director Jack Hill made Foxy to be an action packed African woman who fought bad guys. As referenced in many films as well, Jackie Brown took a couple of ideas that relate to the transcoding of blaxploitation. ("The 50 Best Blaxploitation Movies - 49. Disco Godfather” (1979).

The plot is changed but keeps the theme of blaxploitation within the story. Instead of using the same plot as “Foxy Brown,” Tarantino takes a different lead on the story that has more focus on the plot itself. Jackie plays a more serious role of chasing a large amount of money against others. ("The 50 Best Blaxploitation Movies - 49. Disco Godfather” (1979).

Since a goal of transcoding would be to take the meaning of a films theme and remaking the plot but still something relating to the theme. An example of this is blaxploitation. Back during the mid-1900’s, such as the 60’s and 70’s, stereotypes for lead roles for antagonists/main characters in movies would be a white man, but it was rare if an African American male or even female were to play the role. But that would strike up publicity and popularity for the African Americans. This would veer their stereotypes in a different direction and put in an alternative idea of stereotyping and ways of dong