Black Director Bill Duke Beats Hollywood Odds

Bill Duke, the actor and director, is an imposing figure facing an imposing challenge: succeeding as a black filmmaker.

He recently completed directing his first feature movie, “A Rage in Harlem,” starring Forest Whitaker, Gregory Hines, Robin Givens and Danny Glover.

The picture is a step up for Duke, who co-starred last summer with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in “Bird on a Wire.”

The market for black directors in Hollywood has never been what would be called bullish, but there is one huge advantage for a black director casting a predominantly black film: He can often persuade top actors to sign at dramatically lower prices.

“To begin with,” Duke said, “we had an exceptional script, and I knew most of the actors personally. Danny Glover, for instance, was going on vacation, but as a favor to me he agreed to do this picture.”

Because Hollywood’s black film community is small and receives few opportunities, mutual favors at a financial sacrifice are not uncommon.

“We do each other favors,” Duke said. “But that support also depends on the quality of the project.

“There is a growing consciousness in the community that understands we are in different times than the early ‘70s when black action pictures were the rage. Now there is a sincere attempt for serious filmmakers, who happen to be black, to participate in the Hollywood film community.

“We don’t have the same kind of leverage or budgets that other filmmakers have. People like those in my cast and Denzel Washington and Howard Rollins realize that unless there is a collective effort to help black directors there is no way we can succeed.”

For the past seven years the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., native has directed many TV films, three PBS specials and about 95 episodes of prime-time network and cable shows.

He attended Boston University and the New York University School of the Arts. He received the American Film Institute’s award for best young director in 1979 for his direction of the film short “The Hero.” He also has directed more than 30 off-Broadway plays.

“In order for black directors and producers to succeed, there has to be some progress made on different levels,” Duke said.

“I’m hoping to see some minorities in executive offices in positions of power, people who see the merit of projects with minority themes. That may or may not happen. . . .

“There is no reason why excellent pictures can’t be made for $4-5 million. The only chance for a guy like me is to make a decent picture for a reasonable budget. If it brings in a profit for investors, maybe I’ll have the opportunity to make something else.

“The industry is hurting itself in the long run by not developing new talent. We need people with foresight who are willing to make films with smaller budgets and accept smaller profits.”

Even before “A Rage in Harlem” is released, Duke is negotiating to direct “Try a Little Tenderness,” the long-awaited Otis Redding story.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” he said.