BlackKlansman

BlackKlansman                                                                                                                                  8/29/18

I am only familiar with a few of Spike Lee’s movies but I think this must be one of his most powerful movies. It tackles race issues in the 60’s and 70’s. In the present political upheaval it’s poignancy remains relevant.  It is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first black cop at Colorado Spring. His conflict is how to the support the burgeoning black power movement and be a cop protecting  both blacks and whites at the same time.

The movie starts with a racial harangue  delivered by Dr. Kennebrew Beauregad, played by Alex Baldwin. He nearly spits out his racial epitaphs and almost busts a vein. Ron, played by John David Washington,  is a rookie in the intelligence unit. Ron contacts the KKK from an ad in the paper. Using his white voice he manages to secure a meeting. Obviously he can not go the meeting so they recruit a white cop named Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver.  Ironically Flip is Jewish, another favorite target of the Klan.

Aside from infiltrating the Klan, Ron finds himself in the rise of black power with Stokely Carmichael, aka Kwame Ture, giving a passionate speech. He is conflicted by two forces empathizing with the black power movement and his duty as a police officer.  He does not see them as mutually exclusive.

The Klansmen are stereotypical rednecks. Castigating anyone not white Christian, drinking beer and shooting guns. One  gun range had metal cut outs of racist black targets riddled with bullets. As the camera pulls back the cut outs look like slaves on a march. An almost comical scene is when black Ron, using his white voice, elitists compliments from David Duke.

John David Washington plays the role confidently cool. He keeps his pride and anger in check even when  he is disparaged  on the force. He is not discouraged and keeps his swagger in check. Adam Driver, who plays white Ron in his usual laid back style, finds himself in some perilous situations with the Klan. His wit and acting like a bigot gets him through some life threating situations.

The great Harry Belafonte has a cameo as a civil rights  activist from the 60’s telling a true story of a past lynching. By showing past racial violence Lee is making a connection to current white supremacists.

 At a Klan gathering there is the rallying cry of “America First”. This is an unvarnished reference to Trump and his supports. In the end of the movie there is news footage of the  2017 melee at Charlottesville. Transitioning  from movie to news footage makes the Klan visceral.

By depicting the start of the black power movement and ending with the Charlottesville riot, Lee is almost asking  has anything changed? Wearing chinos, polo shirts and marching with tiki torches is superficial but hate is intractable.

Silence

Silence

This is an epic movie. It is a clash of religions and cultures and the horrible consequences of ensuing conflict. It also has an epic run time of about three hours; this is a two-bathroom movie.

The film takes place in feudal Japan in the 16^th hundreds. The two main protagonists played by Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield are Jesuit priests on a mission to Japan to find a renowned priest, Fr. Ferreira, played by Liam Neeson. They encounter hostile resistance from the Japanese feudal lords. The two Jesuits are in peril from the day they arrive in Japan. As in Roman times the Japanese Christens conceal their faith fearing retribution. When discovered they are subjected to horrible torture reminiscent to the martyrdom of the saints. To escape punishment, they are forced to apostatize their faith.

This is Martin Scorsese’s latest film which was ten years in the making. Scorsese had considered attending the seminary and if had this film would have been his dissertation. The Japanese see Catholicism as a threat to their society and will crush it. In Japan, the Emperor is a deity and deities do not like competition.  

Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield are the new breed of stars. Driver has had a range of roles from the narcissistic lover in the HBO series Girls to Kylo Ren in Rogue One. Here he is a tormented priest agonizing between keeping his faith and saving local Christians from gruesome torture.  He delivers a complex performance of terror and devotion.

Andrew Garfield’s character plays the pivotal role. He is Driver’s companion and is subjected to the same trials and torments. His conundrum is if he does not apostatize his devoted flock would be tortured to death or if he gives up his fate he will be dammed. The later part of the film give him full range of emotions. He is most compelling in these moments.

Liam Neeson comes in at the end of the movie. His character is the catalyst for the two Jesuits’ journey. His role is important and he delivers what is needed.

One wonderful things about this movie is the Japanese cast.  Although I am not familiar with them their acting was superb. One character, Kichijiro, unintentionally provided comic relief by asking for confession for sins he keeps repeating.   He thinks confession is his get out of jail card (I certainly hope so!). The Inquisitor is played by a grandfatherly type character who dispassionately dispenses torture like someone ordering tea. His banality portends future barbarity.  

The costumes and cinematography are outstanding. Scorsese uses an effective overhead shot.  An interviewer asked him what inspired him. Scorsese said when he lived in a tenement on the Lower East Side, he looked out the window that is how he saw the city. Yeah, been there.

This movie weights heavy on your shoulders. Jesuits are God’s storm troops and are the harbingers of colonialism. The movie is a feast for the eyes and all-round the acting is superb. But it is not a date movie.