Need suggestions for movies dealing with racism or racial issues
05-04-04, 04:45 PM
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Need suggestions for movies dealing with racism or racial issues
I'm doing a research paper for my American Studies class on the depiction of racism in American films, and how it has changed over the years. I'm looking for movies about racism, movies that deal with race issues, as well as movies that changed racial standards for movie making. For that last thing, I'm thinking of stuff like Night of the Living Dead (one of the first movies to have a black male in a strong leading role).
Some obvious choices are American History X - as a way to showcase the modern anti-racism film, and Birth of a Nation - a film that is racist. (Can anyone think of any other movies that actually are racist?) I'd also consider one of Spike Lee's movies, but I haven't seen many of them. Would Do the Right Thing be my best bet?
I hope that gives an idea of what I'm looking for. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Some obvious choices are American History X - as a way to showcase the modern anti-racism film, and Birth of a Nation - a film that is racist. (Can anyone think of any other movies that actually are racist?) I'd also consider one of Spike Lee's movies, but I haven't seen many of them. Would Do the Right Thing be my best bet?
I hope that gives an idea of what I'm looking for. Any suggestions are appreciated.
05-04-04, 04:52 PM
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Bamboozled would be a good one. Umm it shows reverse racism that is to say Black hating whites through their depiction of the white charachters int hte movie. But it is also about the whole "blackface" shit from back in the day.
05-04-04, 04:56 PM
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The Power Of One - Deals with the birth of Apartheid in South Africa.
Higher Learning - Heavy into racial issues (amongst other things), including in education and how racial hatred can develop (emphasis on "can")
To Kill A Mockingbird - Some good coverage of race issues, especially considering how old it is.
Malcolm X - I probably don't need to expound on this.
I'll let you know if I can think of any more.
BTW . . . interesting topic for a paper.
x 2
Higher Learning - Heavy into racial issues (amongst other things), including in education and how racial hatred can develop (emphasis on "can")
To Kill A Mockingbird - Some good coverage of race issues, especially considering how old it is.
Malcolm X - I probably don't need to expound on this.
I'll let you know if I can think of any more.
BTW . . . interesting topic for a paper.
x 2
05-04-04, 04:57 PM
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If you can look past James Whitmore's laughable disguise as a black man, Black like me is pretty good account of race relations in the 60's.
05-04-04, 05:01 PM
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Soul Man perhaps. Really black people are usually delegatted to either one of three roles (1) funny sidekick (2) spirtual advisor to white person (3) bad guy, pimp, drug dealer, etc.
With the exception of a few actors like Denzel or Morgan Freeman thats about it. I feel bad for the Afro Americans because of their depictions sometimes.
With the exception of a few actors like Denzel or Morgan Freeman thats about it. I feel bad for the Afro Americans because of their depictions sometimes.
05-04-04, 05:31 PM
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Originally posted by troystiffler
Mississippi Burning was a good one.
Mississippi Burning was a good one.
I need to pick that one up, thanks for the reminder.
White Man's Burden (1995)
Last edited by purplechoe; 05-04-04 at 05:33 PM.
05-04-04, 05:34 PM
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Originally posted by Sessa17
Fight For Your Life
You should show it to your whole class
Fight For Your Life
You should show it to your whole class
05-04-04, 06:33 PM
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. . .
Last edited by Hendrik; 05-04-04 at 06:57 PM.
05-04-04, 06:36 PM
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I'm currently working on my summer and fall syllabi so I've been thinking about his exact issue.
Do The Right Thing would be a good choice. I have some problems with the film but it's not going to stop me from showing it to my class in the fall.
No one has suggested The Siege yet but that's a good one for a contemporary example. If you want to go a bit historical then A Soldier's Story is a wonderfully underrated film.
If you can get your hands on some HBO films, you might try The Tuskegee Airmen, Boycott or Soul of the Game
If you aren't completely wedded to film, the series premiere of the TV show Alien Nation is a great metaphor.
Do The Right Thing would be a good choice. I have some problems with the film but it's not going to stop me from showing it to my class in the fall.
No one has suggested The Siege yet but that's a good one for a contemporary example. If you want to go a bit historical then A Soldier's Story is a wonderfully underrated film.
If you can get your hands on some HBO films, you might try The Tuskegee Airmen, Boycott or Soul of the Game
If you aren't completely wedded to film, the series premiere of the TV show Alien Nation is a great metaphor.
05-04-04, 09:21 PM
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Originally posted by cruzness
School Daze - a look into racism within a race (dark skinned black vs. light skinned blacks)
School Daze - a look into racism within a race (dark skinned black vs. light skinned blacks)
Mississippi Marsala deals with racism between 2 minority groups. Mainly blacks and Indians from India. Or in this case Africa.
Jungle Fever Interracial dating. Spike Lee made this film because he can't get over the fact that his own Father in real life married a white woman. Little racist prick.
The Planet of the Apes series was dealing with class which I geuss crosses over into race at time. Especailly the last to last movie they made where the apes revolted.
Alien Nation
Last edited by Giantrobo; 05-05-04 at 11:29 PM.
05-04-04, 11:42 PM
#24
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Mississippi Burning (1988)
White Dog (1982)
Dutchman (1966)
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
The Intruder (1962)
White Dog (1982)
Dutchman (1966)
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
The Intruder (1962)
