1. What do you feel
is the message the director is trying to express in this movie? Support your answer with examples.
There are a few messages that I believe the directory tried
to express in the movie. The most obvious is that whether we know or not
chances are high that someone is looking up to us and wanting to be just like
us. Derek was doing what he thought was right in the movement and didn’t think
until much later that Danny, his little brother, was greatly influenced by his
actions. Even though Derek had changed and became a better person Danny still
had issues understanding that and realizing that his brother was wrong in
everything that he did early on in his life. Another message is that it is in
our nature to seek revenge. We don’t all do it in extremes like Derek, but we
hold grudges when they really are pointless. Just because their father was
killed by a black man Derek felt that it was necessary to punish every black
man for what happened to his father. The strongest message I believe is that no
matter how strongly we feel about something our views can quickly change. Derek
hated everyone but the people in his circle and hurt so many people, but in the
end he was one of the nicest people in the movie. Through some rough things he
went through while in prison he realized that what he was doing was wrong.
Unfortunately, we don’t all have opportunities that make us realize that what
we are doing is wrong, but through time we can all still change and become
better.
2. If applicable,
discuss if you think this movie has accurate depictions of minorities or if
they are situational? Why or why not?
The depictions of minorities are very situational in a way.
Not all white people hate black people. Not all black people sell drugs and
commit crimes. I feel that this question is tough to answer just because the
depictions are accurate for some people especially during that time.
3. Explain if you
think the director’s ethnic/cultural/professional background played a role in
directing this film?
I wasn’t able to find much on the life of Tony Kaye, the
director. I did find out that he threatened to have his name removed as the
director because he wasn’t okay with the editing of the movie. It is obvious,
though, that he understands all the tensions among racial groups and
understands the importance of stopping it.
4. What groups (people
of color, nationality, culture, class, gender etc.) may be offended or
misinterpret this movie and why?
I think that people of all the different nationalities,
cultures, class, and gender portrayed in the movie may be offended depending on
how they look at the reasons behind the movie. It is very harsh and nothing was
sugarcoated. I found myself angry so many times throughout it just because that
kind of stuff has happened so much and still even exists in some places.
5. What the movie
added to your visual literacy?
This movie showed how easily we can look at what someone is
doing and come to admire it and follow it because we look up to that person that
is doing it. We observe each other which is why it is important to realize that
you never know when someone is looking at your actions.
6. What kind of
artistic and/or visual means did the director use in the movie to focus our
attention?
The scenes that were from the past were in black and white
and the scenes after Derek got out of jail were in color. I think this was done
to make it obvious to the viewer what used to be and what is. Also, it might
have something to do with how our history was and the bright path that we are
starting to follow.
