Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming documentary The Black Godfather, about the exceptional and unlikely rise of Clarence Avant.
The documentary, produced and directed by filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, chronicles the life of the African American music executive in Hollywood, who became “the ultimate, uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music, film, TV and politics” and influenced legends such as Bill Withers, Snoop Dogg, Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and many more.
The trailer features the above mentioned legends and more talking about Avant and describing him as “agent,” “manager,” “orchestrator,” “this mysterious figure everybody respected,” “You only find one of those people”. Avant is also described as a man who “was defying that Hollywood was supposed to be”. “Clarence is the bridge from a time where there was no opportunity to a time where doors began to open,” Obama says during his interview. “He became that mentor for us all, became that godfather,” Puff Daddy says.
The song used in the trailer is Bill Withers’ 1972 hit single “Use Me”, from his second studio album, “Still Bill”.
The Black Godfather premieres this summer, on June 7th, in select theaters and on Netflix.
