With archive film clips and interviews, this brief look at a frequently overlooked historical period of filmmaking acts as an introduction rather than a complete record.

It features interviews with some of the genre's biggest stars, like Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree.

Director Melvin Van Peebles discusses the historical importance of his landmark film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.

For a perspective contemporary to the documentary, director Quentin Tarantino offers his commentary, and author/critic bell hooks provides scholarly social analysis[clarification needed].

The music of Blaxploitation films is discussed, focusing on Curtis Mayfield's Super Fly and Isaac Hayes' Shaft.