tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post1970938732366231865..comments2023-03-24T06:07:57.553-04:00Comments on ATL Flick Chick: Reflections on My Conflicted Cinematic SoulATL Flick Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248456030904459784noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-18958657493464958852013-01-10T13:32:49.801-05:002013-01-10T13:32:49.801-05:00Thanks for reading and commenting, Shala. As you ...Thanks for reading and commenting, Shala. As you can tell this is a constant struggle for me and something I circle back to again and again. I still think the best thing is to have more movies featuring people of color in all types of situations and story lines. We need critical mass more than anything. In that sense, I think indie filmmakers will lead the charge more so than Hollywood.ATL Flick Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15248456030904459784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-69508434444669320612013-01-10T13:19:45.082-05:002013-01-10T13:19:45.082-05:00I think there is just alot of sensitivity around r...I think there is just alot of sensitivity around race and film and as black people we are prone to it. I actually had the same feelings on "The Help" at first; I refused to read it. I initially refused to see it when the movie came out but eventually did for those same reasons. However, I did, and I loved it.<br /><br />I have had many conversations with friends regarding the whole "white people have to help the poor black people" argument. While I agree that sometimes that is an issue, I have come to the conclusion that sometimes it's important for the story and fits into the context of the story. In "The Help", after seeing it, I don't even see it as the white chick saved the black people; she more acted as an avenue for them to tell their story when there were limited opportunities for them to do so. I just don't view that as them being saved. <br /><br />I have more issues with movies like "Freedom Writers", set more in present day, where the saintly white teacher swoops in to save the unruly black students and how those are characterized.<br /><br />In regards to "Django", this was slave times where unless some white sympathizer freed you; you most like where going to have to live out your days as a slave (few ran away successfully). There are limited ways for your to free yourself. So in those contexts, something like that is necessary in order to move the story along. <br /><br />You bring up that you didn't feel like Waltz's character treated Django like an equal. I think that was more about him getting over on him (i.e. trying to retain his money) than any commentary on his view of Django's humanity. I think Tarantino gave a sly wink to this with the characters' banter at the table in one scene where Waltz's character admits to Django being in debted to him and those will use that to his advantage to make money.<br /><br />As a whole, while I do think there are some issues concerning race in Hollywood, we have to understand that there are certain situations that do exists and should exists in movies. Black people (like other people) are not always saints, heroes, or in positions of power; the good and the bad should be portrayed. <br /><br />I also think there is sometimes too much focus on the race issue on switching out one race for another in movies (i.e. Ben Affleck for an hispanic actor). For one, there are times where one of the top black actors (Smith, Washington, etc) are put in for characters initially written white. Also, there are alot of cofounding factors to the issue - politics in Hollywood, how bankable actors are, who the creative team is - that may not have anything to do necessary with racism. Is it balant racism sometimes though? Yes.Shalahttp://life-between-films.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-14804097383791151572013-01-04T16:23:49.403-05:002013-01-04T16:23:49.403-05:00Thanks for your comment, Yomi. I thought that who...Thanks for your comment, Yomi. I thought that whole scene leading up to the killing of the three brothers was for comedic effect. I couldn't take Big Daddy too seriously because it was Don Johnson dressed like Colonel Sanders. And that whole conversation on how to treat Django was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. (He may me free, but he ain't quite like us.) What was more problematic in that scene was the slave woman who was on a swing as another was about to be whipped. Too me that was totally bizarre and not funny or clever at all.ATL Flick Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15248456030904459784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-66402418241603457262013-01-04T15:33:17.009-05:002013-01-04T15:33:17.009-05:00This is a very thoughtful take on Django. I agree ...This is a very thoughtful take on Django. I agree with you on the fact that Tarantino had ability to cross the line regarding the use of the N-word and the depiction of Broomhilda during her stay at CandyLand. I'm curious about your thoughts and the scene that played out with Big Daddy when they first approached his plantation in search of the 3 brothers employed as overseers. Did you think the slave girl calling Big Daddy Big Daddy comical or offensive? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01070946568452307702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-72902082533813277622012-12-31T17:03:26.517-05:002012-12-31T17:03:26.517-05:00Thanks for your comments. I hope these issues wil...Thanks for your comments. I hope these issues will continue to be pondered and discussed.ATL Flick Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15248456030904459784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592605593412224743.post-15171116240392293282012-12-31T16:43:05.703-05:002012-12-31T16:43:05.703-05:00Fantastic editorial! Your link on the Lamb Forums ...Fantastic editorial! Your link on the Lamb Forums piqued our interest and we were very intrigued by this take on Django (and, in a way, The Help). Thank you for your honest reflection on this topic, it's quite refreshing to read!Two Tickets For...https://www.blogger.com/profile/02475330757272632337noreply@blogger.com