I decided to take an unconventional route, as I did last year. I'm hoping to make something really special this year so wish me luck in this endeavor.
Along with film and photography, I do a lot of writing for my school's newspaper as well so I'd like to share some of my thoughts on George Lucas, Black Movies in America, and Hollywood's interpretation of the norm in cinema.
Posted in The Crimson White today.
I also have my qualms with George. In the eyes of many fans, he’s done a considerable amount of questionable re-editing with many of his best-known films (mainly the Star Wars franchise). Many fans were also dissatisfied with the latest Indiana Jones movie, citing the weak story and inclusion of Shia LaBeouf. I may not agree with many of his decisions, but I believe he’s a great filmmaker, and his impact is unequaled.
My newfound respect for George has stemmed from his willingness to do something the majority of Hollywood is completely against—he made a film consisting of an entirely black cast steeped in one of the most prominent African American stories, The Tuskegee Airmen. Note: Go see the film Red Tails.
The Tuskegee airmen were the first African American combat pilots in the United States Army. They fought in World War II. The airmen were met with racial discrimination and hatred from the army and citizens of The United States. Still, they served their country valiantly and became known as one of the best groups ever to emerge from the US Army Air Corps.
Now, why is George Lucas’ movie important? Simple. Absolutely no one wanted to make it. Forget story structure, production costs, or the magnitude of the film’s scope. It is an African American movie that does not feature melodrama, gang violence or hood portrayals. Hollywood is having none of that. If the story does not revolve around what I previously stated, sports, or a white person helping a poorly educated (often idiotic) black person (see The Blind Side, Finding Forrester, etc.), it will not be made. The Help is not an exception. The story may have African Americans, but it dwelled on the overwhelmingly privileged lives of southern whites.
There are bright spots. Spike Lee’s movies can bring a non-black crowd. Tyler Perry movies have been notably profitable, but are rigorously scrutinized by mainstream critics.
So what’s the problem? Hollywood does not think black sells (unless you are Will Smith, maybe Denzel Washington or Samuel “I Play Myself in Every Movie I Make” Jackson). A cast for a mainstream, high budget movie will never be predominately black (or predominately minority for that matter). Hollywood will not even allow a white woman to be a black man’s love interest, unless it specifically deals with race issues (see O, a modern conception of Othello). In Will Smith’s movie Hitch, Nicole Kidman was considered for the part of Will Smith’s love interest, but executives opted for a Latino lead role in fear their white audience may not approve of such interracial sexy. The opposite is untrue. A white man can bugger up a black woman on screen all he wants (see Monster’s Ball or Star Trek).
So, thank you, George Lucas for making this film. Thank you for using your own money to distribute it. Thank you for fighting the convention minorities should not be allowed to play lead roles in major movies. I can respect someone who is willing to push boundaries. This also lends itself to the fact some issues will not be resolved until white people address the gash of racism still upheld by their less forward brethren.
God, I just hope the movie doesn’t suck. That would really ruin my argument.
This scholarship is sponsored by USDish.com
Love the write up bruh. However, I feel like ALL of our stories (Yes the hood stories and all) should be able to be told and not limited only to be shunned and criticized because White America isn't ready for our rainbow of struggles as a race. All of our stories are a beautiful thing although they may show our culture's negative aspects. They're still someone's reality. Until there is equality socially and economically for ALL, those ugly hood stories will be there to be told. So portray the negatives and positives to enlighten humanity of the Black struggle and progression. ROO QUE! Keep up the good work team. 3-08-A
ReplyDeleteI love this. I wish more support of these kinds of things would come from within white communities. I think more often than not, white people are most comfortable watching the kinds of movies that prominently feature black actors in stereotyped roles (movies like Precious), or like you mentioned, with white protagonists who are trying to better the lives of whatever black people they might know. From the perspective of a white girl with a prejudiced Southern family, I think these films do little to challenge the norms a lot of us have and leave people with the fuzzy feeling that things are all better now and, hey, not all black people are so bad (but they sure are still good for comic relief). I'm being a little bitter, perhaps, but that was how I felt after watching The Help with a lot of white people on MLK Jr. Day. I hope Red Tails is a great movie, but I'm ready for the time when Hollywood will produce films with diverse casts that aren't stories about diversity. I suppose, though, that'll have to wait for a time when our culture does the same in its private life.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written article. Mad props. First, George Lucas is a great man. He took his own resources and opted to direct and produce a film that starred nothing but Black. Black actors, Black stories, Black accomplishments. Hats off, because that is a "misnomer" in American society, much less American filmmaking. BUT, the only quarrel within myself that causes me pause, is why must there always be a White man there FIRST to tell (our stories). When I say, "our stories", I mean us, Black people, 4,000,000 strong. It does not make sense. If "Red Tails", a highly successful movie, at least in marketing, if nothing else, can be self -produced and funded by a lone ranger, wh must it be the white man and not the Black one?
ReplyDeleteAllow me to offer "cliche!" to those who attempt to argue, "well at least the story is being told, what does it matter the color of the storyteller". The color of the storyteller is ALL too important. Our American history renders us with enough evidence of backwards, white-controlled storytelling to fill up any History textbook in our public and private schools. Call me "bitter, jaded, negative or otherwise," but I think it's bullshit to leave our stories to George and his white cronies. It's time we stop leaving the control in the hands of the rich, white, storyteller and tell our own stories.
By the way, I recommend to everyone enamored with this Red Tail phenomenon, pick up a reliable book and read the story. Know it for yourself.
Once again, brilliant article.
OJ out.
Good article, but a few things: 1) At the end of the day it's not about black or white, it's about green. What do audiences want to see? What film can bring a good return of investment? The day the executives get sentimental and gree...n light films that tank at the box office, they are out of jobs. How long do you think those guys that green lit Water World or Battlefield Earth kept their jobs? The former is one of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history. It nearly ruined Kevin Costner's career. That's why we are seeing a rash of Twilight films and a deplorable amount of sequels & prequels. I guarantee if executives believed a film about a black family in the suburbs (no gang violence) could make $150 mill at the box office, they'd be lining up to get those rights. You mentioned Tyler Perry's films being panned by the critics. Doesn't matter b/c it makes money and executives will take meetings with him any day.
Delete2) It's about track record and proven success. (The director of Red Tails isn't established. He's worked on The Wire, but most casual film goers don't know who he is) I can't imagine Spike Lee and John Singleton having problems getting financing or distribution for their films. Singleton was the youngest director and first African American to become nominated for an Academy Award for best director in 1989. Spike Lee is practically an icon for not only African American film makers, but also independent film makers everywhere. I'm going to the premiere of Red Hook Summer tonight, btw.
3) You mention Denzel Washington and Will Smith. They are in the very small group of $20 mil dollar per film club. I read in Forbes sometime ago that Will Smith is one of the most profitable actors in film. For every dollar you pay him, $18 comes back as return on an investment. Denzel is one of the greatest actors of all time, black or white. They're not pigeon holed into a "black" film or a "hood film". A conversation goes, "I can't wait for Denzel's movie to open next weekend." Most of the time, you don't even really need to know what it's about. You just go. Eddie Murphy has been a bankable star for 20+ years, bro. Beverly Hills Cop series, 48 Hours, Dr. Doolittle, The Nutty Professor, Daddy Day Care, etc. He was incredibly good in Dream Girls, proving he has dramatic chops.
4) Lucas even said himself in a NY Times interview that he doesn't believe the executives are racist. Just confused and fixated on their marketing. Btw, did you know that HBO made a Tuskegee Airmen film in 1995 starring Laurence Fishburne, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and Andre Braugher? It received 10 Emmy nominations and won 3. Fishburne was nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes.
Thanks for all the comments guys. It's awesome to hear so many varied views on this subject matter!
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