MovieChat Forums > Beasts of No Nation (2015) Discussion > Being a Slave, the Civil Rights Era, and...

Being a Slave, the Civil Rights Era, and Blacks Fighting Blacks

posted 9 years ago by !!!deleted!!! (15363496)
22 replies | jump to latest

When we get something new about Black people? Apparently, MLK is the only Black person of note in all the centuries we've been on American shores.

What about Crispus Attucks, the first American casualty of the American Revolution? I'd like to see a Nat Turner Slave Rebellion movie or a Stono Rebellion movie. Once and for all put to bed the idea that Blacks weren't mistreated during slavery. We need a Bass Reeves movie.

Instead, Hollywood will continue to churn out movies where slaves are primarily docile with the rare rebellion slave that runs away or is killed for talking back to master.

BONN is on my do not see list.

If you want a good Superman film, convince DC to let Marvel make it.

[–] MandumeYaNdemufayo 9 years ago

Nate Parker is making a movie about Nat Turner! I hope it turns out to be good!

Edit: I fully agree with your sentiment.
Kill the boer!

[–] !!!deleted!!! (15363496) 9 years ago

Cool, Nat Turner: Story of A Prophet. I'm in.

If you want a good Superman film, convince DC to let Marvel make it.

[–] SGuiliano1064972 9 years ago

I don't think that's funny!

"SG"

[–] Bobtheawesome 9 years ago

I don't see what you're complaining about. Selma, 12 Years a Slave, and Beasts of No Nation (if those are the three movies you're referring to) all tell very different stories and experiences. You complain about MLK being "the only black person of note" less than 2 years after 12 Years a Slave wins best picture? Solomon Northup's story is very unique and extraordinary, I was glad to see it being told.

Plus there are tons of other recent movies with black protagonists such as Flight, Straight Outta Compton, The Butler, Belle, and Django Unchained. Seems to me like you're just looking for something to complain about. Also, BONN looks excellent, I can't wait to see it.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (15363496) 9 years ago

I could not care less about winning awards. The "Black films" that are celebrated are biopics about entertainers, athletes, but never politicians, academics, or entrepreneurs.

The other beloved films are ones where Whites help Blacks, Amistad, The Help, Mississippi Burning, The Blind Side, they are Black stories told from the White perspective. And Slavery. They love slave films, but never Slave Revolt films. Never Black Abolition films.

"See how progressive we are," as they pat themselves on the back for approving of yet another kind-hearted white person protecting Blacks from those evil racists. Whites get to be the hero and the villain.

Plus there are tons of other recent movies with black protagonists such as Flight, Straight Outta Compton, The Butler, Belle, and Django Unchained.

Flight gets a pass. SOCompton - bio about entertainers. The Butler (servant), Belle (Why is she important? Her husband contributed to the abolition of SLAVERY in Britain.). Django (slave film). Selma (Civil Rights Era).

According to White America the lives of millions of Black people can be summarized in the following, "Slavery, Servants, Civil Rights Era, Hood Rats, and Entertainers". And Dysfunctional Africa.

Spielburg did try with Red Tails. It was bad, so very very bad.

Why is America so enthralled with and focused on seeing Blacks in such limited ways? I hope as we get younger Black producers and writers we'll get some new stories from a different perspective.

Black stories told by White people or to win favor of White people is proving to be as successful as atheists telling Biblical stories. Not well at all.

If you want a good Superman film, convince DC to let Marvel make it.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] betty_starbuckle 9 years ago

I'd love to see a film about how the Haitians kicked the french out and have been bankrupted by the reparations they've had to pay ever since

ok, im ready now!

[–] Ecthelion2005 9 years ago

The only rebellion that was succesfull was in Haiti and ended in a disaster. Mulatos killing whites and then were slaughtered by blacks. They even invaded and raped Dominican Republic.

[–] Soylent_Black 8 years ago

I'm surprised that you didn't mention how the Haitian rebellion led to the Louisiana purchase.

[–] hlmitchell31 9 years ago

@betty_starbuckle your myopic, understanding of history has come up painfully short. And is quite narrow. You mention the Haitians kicking the french out but forgetting the black general Toussaint Loverture defying and outsmarting Bonaparte LOL to create Haiti in the first place.
In an era that saw black people as less than human Loverture showed how a black person (a freed slave no doubt) was as badass as any in history! America being as racist as it is and fearful of black men because of some inferiority complex.

You won't see this in American school history books. Now make that story into a movie (see also: John Horse et. Al)

[–] betty_starbuckle 9 years ago

I don't think myopic is quite the word you are looking for. But thanks for the heads up about Loverture. I learned something.

ok, im ready now!

[–] politicidal 9 years ago

OP, you're actually on the money with your overall point. I'd be impressed if Hollywood does make a new movie where black people took up arms and took their self-determination by force from the ruling white regime by themselves;every other culture gets a movie about it so why not black people?
Or at least make a movie with a functioning black society instead of one in disarray or exploited in some fashion? Those movies do exist but are rare and usually bad-quality like Red Tails as someone on this thread mentioned.
Unless it's about gangstas or thugs or whatever, Hollywood isn't going to make a movie featuring violent black people as a good thing. A good movie at least. One about Bass Reeves would be amazing.

What's missing in movies is same as in society: a good sense of work ethic and living up to ideals.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (15363496) 9 years ago

We are just getting to the point that a significant portion of the population is learning the truth about the Confederacy and the battle flag. The internet can be lead to spread lies, but the truth is out there and it's not going anywhere.

Just like Reconstruction there are Confederate Apologists attempting to roll back the gains made by recreating history once again. I wonder how much positive Black History we'll never know.

Of course, just as there were slaves willing to rat out their own there are African Americans that allow themselves to be used and will celebrate the Confederate flag.

It may take awhile, but one day we'll get a true depiction of Black heroes and history.

If you want a good Superman film, convince DC to let Marvel make it.

[–] politicidal 9 years ago

Yea tell me about it. Better late than never I imagine that people are becoming more aware

[–] omoxus 9 years ago

Hollywood refuses to put out the films you apeak of. The scripts exists. They basically anoint one or two black directors as the "voice". (Tyler Perry, Spike Lee) when there are so many. There are black screen writers that can do all genres. They either get plagerized, ignored or the characters are made white.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] !!!deleted!!! (15363496) 9 years ago

The question that needs to be asked is "Why are we so dependent on Hollywood?" If some small church can start producing Christian movies that can lead the box office, any group can.

Denzel, Will, Magic, Jordan, Eldrick, and the others could create a movie studio. Bypass the white power structure.

If you want a good Superman film, convince DC to let Marvel make it.

[–] hlmitchell31 9 years ago

YUP!!!!! AND IT IS HAPPENING NOW.

[–] activista 9 years ago

@Edguator

For one thing, BEASTS OF NO NATION is an indie film (not a Hollywood film at all---this would never have been made by a Hollywood studio,and that's a fact) and it's getting a very limited release,because obviously, it's not considered a commercial film. Netflix didn't make the film---they just bought the rights to distribute it. And, yeah, it's already known and a given that Hollywood is not going to deal with any of the subjects you mentioned when it comes to black folks, because according to them, those subjects aren't marketable, or they'll give the lame-a** unverified excuse that "white people don't like to watch black films"---which is totally untrue,and a bunch of BS.

Basically everything you said has already been said before--nothing new there. If you want to see good black cinema made by black people, watch and support black indie cinema,plain and simple.

[–] hlmitchell31 9 years ago

You are so right. In regards to movie story lines: One way, may be the only way, to make Hollywood wake up is for us to stop watching Ryan gosling western male fantasy action, love story porn and to embrace more films with people of color doing normal things other ethnicities do.
And let's stop watching the weird embarrassing crap by that Lee Daniels (the butler et. al.) dude. (when I say embarrassing, I mean it should be embarrassing for him).

[–] Czargasm 9 years ago

I would love to see a movie about Bass Reeves. That guy has an amazing story!

[–] RyanFitzpatrickIsNotTheAnswer 9 years ago

I think Clint Eastwood should direct a biopic about John Brown, starring Christoph Waltz.

[–] LetsDriveSomewhere 9 years ago

Write them.

You think I'd speak for you? I don't even know your language.