tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579509462565904231.post7188388574160900260..comments2024-01-05T05:56:06.396-08:00Comments on L.A. La Land: Fame, Fortune, and Forensics: TAKE ONE, TWO, THREE: Nothing's Black & WhiteAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16950207764204473859noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579509462565904231.post-90876289504687408422014-08-03T21:31:25.676-07:002014-08-03T21:31:25.676-07:00Hello there! Sorry that it took me so long to resp...Hello there! Sorry that it took me so long to respond. I have been juggling many pies and most of them have gone splat lately, hahaha. To answer your question, I have actually done a significant amount of research into the treatment of the African American element in film and have read about the controversy surrounding all of the films mentioned above.<br /><br />However, that being said, my point was not so much to label the films as "racist," for in all of them proudly possess themes that confront these issues and misunderstandings in our culture. Their point was to forge a bridge between the white and black, and all other "races," and as such they are proud testaments to a great moment of progress in cinema.<br /><br />I was more interested in exploring the issue of casting. How for such a long time African American talent was unable to tell its own story, because the public was not ready to accept a hero or heroine of color. The performers in these films, the writers, and the films themselves are not at fault for this discrepancy, but they are examples of an unfortunate and unforgiving Hollywood trend that was trying to outlearn itself. <br /><br />Of course, everyone gets something different from a film when they watch it. As a film historian, it is my job to dig a little deeper and to look at different symbols and subconscious triggers that at first glance many overlook. My posts are always written in a positive vent, to bring to light both the glory of past works and the lessons we can draw from them. No one loves movies more than I, but I also like to shake 'em up a little to see what they say about us, who we were, who we are, or who we have yet to be.<br /><br />Thanks for reading! Hope you had a nice weekend. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950207764204473859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579509462565904231.post-81978421391949660162014-07-03T10:17:54.939-07:002014-07-03T10:17:54.939-07:00Is your interpretation of racial issues in the 195...Is your interpretation of racial issues in the 1951 version of "Showboat" based on elements inherent in the film or are you just projecting? I've seen the film. I didn't get from the film any of what you're writing here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com