Malcolm X
"But it is only after the deepest darkness that the greatest joy can come; it is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come"
-Malcolm X
Movie Medal: Gold
Aprox. Time : 3 hours.
Cast: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Al Freeman Jr., Spike Lee
Director: Spike Lee
Release Year: 1992
I do sorely wish that the American Civil Rights Movement was a mandatory courses in all educational institutions in Africa, be they primary, secondary, long-distance learning and or tertiary level. If such courses existed,Spike Lee's Malcolm X, would be the perfect introduction.
As much as I would like to go into detail about everything good about the movie, I must say that I have seen the severe limitations that film as a medium has; this film, when placed in contrast with its original source material, The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, pales in comparison. However, that is the subject of another blog post.
I will give my credit to Spike Lee's film where it is due. From the outset, we are thrust into Malcolm X's adolescence, filled with the excitement and criminal activity of his early days. Interspersed within this portion of the film are references to the harsh reality of titular character's childhood.
A particular strong and potent motif introduced and explored throughout the film is the notion of "conked" hair, better known to most people as "relaxed" hair on black people. It becomes a symbol of the subconscious self-hate that black people have for their natural beauty and the lengths that they find themselves trying to become white in order to succeed in a racially biased society. This is one of the many brilliant plot devices that Mr. Lee used. Another intelligent and powerful plot device is the compound character "Brother Baines", who represents several minor albeit important people in Malcolm's life. Brother Baines was an effective and character that helped move the plot without the complications and complexities of introducing too many characters.
There is still so much more to discuss, such as the dramatisation of Betty Shabazz and the artistic frames that Mr. Lee construed from real life photographs of Malcolm X, which were interwoven into the film. Then there is the end with its montage, real-life eulogy and last but not least- a cameo appearance from Nelson Mandela. This truly is a brilliant movie.
BUT! This is only an introduction, the book as usual speaks volumes and is crucial in the documentation of Mr X's life. I plan on sharing its details later.
I do sorely wish that the American Civil Rights Movement was a mandatory courses in all educational institutions in Africa, be they primary, secondary, long-distance learning and or tertiary level. If such courses existed,Spike Lee's Malcolm X, would be the perfect introduction.
As much as I would like to go into detail about everything good about the movie, I must say that I have seen the severe limitations that film as a medium has; this film, when placed in contrast with its original source material, The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, pales in comparison. However, that is the subject of another blog post.
I will give my credit to Spike Lee's film where it is due. From the outset, we are thrust into Malcolm X's adolescence, filled with the excitement and criminal activity of his early days. Interspersed within this portion of the film are references to the harsh reality of titular character's childhood.
A particular strong and potent motif introduced and explored throughout the film is the notion of "conked" hair, better known to most people as "relaxed" hair on black people. It becomes a symbol of the subconscious self-hate that black people have for their natural beauty and the lengths that they find themselves trying to become white in order to succeed in a racially biased society. This is one of the many brilliant plot devices that Mr. Lee used. Another intelligent and powerful plot device is the compound character "Brother Baines", who represents several minor albeit important people in Malcolm's life. Brother Baines was an effective and character that helped move the plot without the complications and complexities of introducing too many characters.
There is still so much more to discuss, such as the dramatisation of Betty Shabazz and the artistic frames that Mr. Lee construed from real life photographs of Malcolm X, which were interwoven into the film. Then there is the end with its montage, real-life eulogy and last but not least- a cameo appearance from Nelson Mandela. This truly is a brilliant movie.
BUT! This is only an introduction, the book as usual speaks volumes and is crucial in the documentation of Mr X's life. I plan on sharing its details later.
