The life and works of Gordon Parks will be explored via the screening of the lauded documentary “Half Past Autumn,” and a short presentation by Rob Wagoner, at the upcoming Bainbridge Island Photo Club movie night event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the community center in Waterfront Park.

The term “Renaissance man” might have been coined for Parks (Nov. 30, 1912 – March 7, 2006), who was a renowned photographer, musician, writer and film director.

He first became prominent for his work as a documentary photojournalist in the 1940s through the 1970s — particularly his work as part of the famed Farm Security Administration photo staff, examining the issues of civil rights, poverty and the daily lives of African Americans.

Later, he became know for his work the field of glamour photography, too, though he was also an author, poet and composer.

Parks was the first African American to produce and direct major motion pictures — developing films relating the experience of slaves and struggling black Americans.

He’s often credited, as the director of the movie “Shaft,” with creating the extremely popular and iconic “blaxploitation” movement, an ethnic-centric subgenre of film which emerged in the early 1970s. Blaxploitation films were reportedly made at first specifically for an urban, black audience, but the genre’s audience appeal soon broadened across racial and ethnic lines, spawning many imitations and homages which continue to be made even today.

Blaxploitation films were the first movies to feature soundtracks of funk and soul music, and casts of almost exclusively black actors.

Variety credited “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” and Parks’ “less radical Hollywood-financed” “Shaft” (both released in 1971) with the invention of the genre.

The documentary is the latest screened by the club in a series, curated by Wagoner, focusing on famed photographers. He will present some biographical information about Parks and the importance of his work prior to the film.

The event is open to the public and free to attend.

The next film, the final for the year, will be a slight divergence, Wagoner said, from his usual subject choice. The club will screen “Born Into Brothels” on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Visit www.biphotoclub.org to learn more.