About
The Full Story of The Daughters of Dolemite
Director Foster Corder has stepped out of the shadows after more than 30 years of supporting and helping countless people in the film industry get their start. Now his time has come. The Daughters of Dolemite is the project he has chosen for his debut showcase.
Having worked with, produced, directed, and four walled Rudy Ray Moore’s films for over 20 years, during a period when Dolemite’s fame had faded, Corder knows more about the man known as “Dolemite” than anyone currently in Hollywood.
In recognition of his years of dedication and hard work, Moore personally granted Corder the rights to use the Dolemite character as a birthday gift. Following renewed public interest sparked by Eddie Murphy’s recent Netflix biopic, Corder believes there is no better time to honor his mentor by completing the final film project they were never able to secure funding for before Moore’s passing.
Gary Sturgis takes on the legendary role of Dolemite in the new culture classic, The Daughters of Dolemite.
Mission
The mission of The Daughters of Dolemite is to honor and preserve the extraordinary legacy of Rudy Ray Moore while boldly opening the door to a powerful new chapter inspired by his fearless creativity and revolutionary spirit. Rudy Ray Moore was more than an entertainer. He was a pioneer who proved that determination, vision, and independence could break through barriers that once seemed impossible. His work created opportunities for voices that had long been overlooked, and his influence continues to shape the landscape of independent Black cinema today. This project stands as a continuation of that spirit, carrying forward the energy, humor, and bold storytelling that made the Dolemite phenomenon unforgettable.
At its core, The Daughters of Dolemite seeks to celebrate the power of independent filmmaking. Rudy Ray Moore built his success outside the traditional Hollywood system, proving that creativity and belief in one's vision could create a cultural movement that resonated across generations. By embracing that same independent spirit, this film aims to remind audiences and artists alike that powerful stories do not require permission to be told. They require courage, originality, and the willingness to stand firmly in one's voice. In that tradition, the project continues the path Moore paved by creating opportunities for artists who carry that same passion for storytelling and cultural expression.
Another central mission of the film is to introduce and amplify strong new voices, particularly through the presence of powerful female characters who represent the next evolution of the Dolemite universe. The daughters represent strength, intelligence, resilience, and leadership. They embody the idea that legacy is not something that remains frozen in the past, but something that grows stronger as it is passed down and reimagined by the next generation. Through these characters, the film expands the world that Rudy Ray Moore created while honoring the bold, unapologetic confidence that defined the original character.
Vision
The Daughters of Dolemite is far more than a film. It is a cultural torch being carried forward, a continuation of a legacy that shaped independent Black cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers, performers, and storytellers. After more than three decades of quietly uplifting others within the film industry, Director Foster Corder now steps forward with a project rooted in loyalty, legacy, and the fulfillment of unfinished history. This film stands as both a tribute to Rudy Ray Moore, the legendary creator and driving force behind the iconic Dolemite character, and a bold evolution of that world for a new era of audiences.
For many people, Dolemite was simply an unforgettable character. But for those who worked alongside Rudy Ray Moore, it represented something much deeper. It represented independence, resilience, and the determination to create opportunities when the traditional doors of Hollywood were closed. Foster Corder spent more than twenty years working closely with Moore, helping produce, direct, and four-wall screenings of his films during times when mainstream recognition had faded. In those years of dedication and partnership, Corder witnessed firsthand the genius, hustle, humor, and relentless spirit that made Moore not only a performer but a cultural pioneer.
Being entrusted with the rights to the Dolemite character as a personal gift from Rudy Ray Moore was not simply a professional milestone. It was a deeply symbolic moment. It represented trust, respect, and the passing of a responsibility to protect, preserve, and carry forward the legacy of a movement that stood for independent Black storytelling. Moore understood that the world he created was bigger than one film, one character, or one era. He believed it was something that should continue to grow and evolve.
