Hi, Mom! (1970)

Hi, Mom! (1970) is an American black comedy movie written and directed by Brian De Palma. It is also one of Robert De Niro’s early films. Jon Rubin, a veteran who has recently returned from Vietnam and aspires to be a filmmaker, is approached by producer Joe Banner to create an erotic film. Unfortunately, the camera tilts during filming which results in Banner being dissatisfied with the finished product and withdrawing his offer. As a result, Rubin decides to join an experimental acting troupe led by another one of his neighbors. The troupe puts on a production called Be Black Baby! Later on, a group of white theatergoers attend a show put on by the troupe where they are served soul food as part of the experience.

After being forced to wear shoe polish on their faces, the white audience watches as the African American actors don whiteface and terrorize them. As they try to escape through the elevator, they are ambushed by the troupe. In a disturbing turn of events, two of the black actors sexually assault one of the audience members. Suddenly, Rubin appears dressed as an NYPD policeman and falsely arrests some of the white audience members for being black. The chaotic sequence ends with a traumatized and bruised audience praising the show on television. Rubin, now smitten with Judy, decides to stay in the city and join the troupe. He eventually settles down and becomes an insurance salesman.