By Kwaku Person-Lynn, Ph.D.
When thinking of
somewhat recent favorite movies made by people of Afrikan
descent, what comes to mind are: "Best Man,"
"Soul Food," Boyz in The Hood," and the movie
that defines its own category, "Malcolm X." There may
be some others not mentioned. The creativity of Denzel
Washington in the form of his directorial debut movie "Antwone
Fisher" rises to the highest level in the art of
filmmaking. The substance is found in the meaning, the humor,
the drama, and the story, the photography, the casting, the
lighting, the acting, the editing, the music, the silence, and
most of all, the importance of family. Nothing was over or under
done. The only other time it seemed the Afrikan family was
brought to such an exalted height was in the television series
"Roots."
One way of measuring
the greatness of a film are the emotional levels reached while
watching it. This film takes you from one end of the spectrum to
the other, all of it riding on top of a subtle, gradual
optimism. While many scenes in films are predictable, not in
this film. The cinematic experience of the main character,
Antwone Fisher, (superbly played by first time actor Derek
Luke), evolves through his personal adventure to control his
anger, struggling through his inhibitions in establishing a
relationship with his girl friend, (perfectly and joyfully
played by Joy Bryant), and hunting for his family, reach peak
levels of what movie making is supposed to be.
Washington's
grasp of realizing the art form gives one the impression that he
did not allow the smallest detail to go unnoticed. For instance,
there was one scene where Fisher and his girlfriend were sitting
on the ocean dock, late at night talking. The close-ups were
done very artfully, and the lighting, giving the impression it
was illuminated by the moon, could have been framed as a great
piece of photography. Even the book given to Fisher by his
psychiatrist, played by Washington (what can you say about the
best actor in Hollywood) shows a high level of literary
consciousness. Even so-called revolutionaries, who consistently
and rightfully criticize Hollywood films, have to applaud.
One of the most
poignant moments in the film was how Washington was able to
venerate the presence of American Afrikan elders. The subtle
grand manner in which it was executed was like observing a
private ceremony in traditional Afrika, exalting the honor and
glory of eldership. That one scene alone goes beyond anything
one would expect to come out of Hollywood. It requires an
elevated level of thought and awareness.
Films today are
filled with much sex, violence and profanity; this is a zero
profanity film. When a couple of these elements are implied,
there is nothing a parent would cringe at their young ones
seeing. The moral standard centers around one variable, quality.
Although
filmmaking is a business, and profit is the ultimate business
goal, the importance of this film transcends just accounts
receivable. Word of mouth is going to be very strong. It may not
quickly burst through the ceiling as the typical blockbuster,
but like the rabbit and the hare, it will slowly creep up the
profit line to justify Washington doing whatever he wants. Video
and DVD rentals and sales are going to go through the roof.
There are
artistic statements made in various creative venues that not
only stand the test of time, but also make indelible impressions
on the social fabric, eventually being held up as classics for
the ages. If ever there was a film that meets that criterion,
"Antwone Fisher" began reaching that status when the
real Antwone Fisher wrote the first word of his story. If you
miss this one, you have truly missed a very special film event.
Kwaku
Person-Lynn
is the author of
On My Journey Now - The Narrative
And Works Of Dr. John Henrik Clarke, The Knowledge
Revolutionary. E-mail
address: DrKwaku@hotmail.com
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Sex at the Margins
Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry
By Laura María Agustín
This book explodes several myths: that selling sex is completely different from any other kind of work, that migrants who sell sex are passive victims and that the multitude of people out to save them are without self-interest. Laura Agustín makes a passionate case against these stereotypes, arguing that the label 'trafficked' does not accurately describe migrants' lives and that the 'rescue industry' serves to disempower them. Based on extensive research amongst both migrants who sell sex and social helpers, Sex at the Margins provides a radically different analysis. Frequently, says Agustin, migrants make rational choices to travel and work in the sex industry, and although they are treated like a marginalised group they form part of the dynamic global economy. Both powerful and controversial, this book is essential reading for all those who want to understand the increasingly important relationship between sex markets, migration and the desire for social justice. "Sex at the Margins rips apart distinctions between migrants, service work and sexual labour and reveals the utter complexity of the contemporary sex industry. This book is set to be a trailblazer in the study of sexuality."—Lisa Adkins, University of London |
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Hopes and Prospects
By Noam Chomsky
In this urgent new book, Noam Chomsky
surveys the dangers and prospects of our
early twenty-first century. Exploring
challenges such as the growing gap
between North and South, American
exceptionalism (including under
President Barack Obama), the fiascos of
Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S.-Israeli
assault on Gaza, and the recent
financial bailouts, he also sees hope
for the future and a way to move
forward—in the democratic wave in Latin
America and in the global solidarity
movements that suggest "real progress
toward freedom and justice." Hopes and
Prospects is essential reading for
anyone who is concerned about the
primary challenges still facing the
human race. "This is a classic Chomsky
work: a bonfire of myths and lies,
sophistries and delusions. Noam Chomsky
is an enduring inspiration all over the
world—to millions, I suspect—for the
simple reason that he is a truth-teller
on an epic scale. I salute him." —John
Pilger
In dissecting the rhetoric and logic of
American empire and class domination, at
home and abroad, Chomsky continues a
longstanding and crucial work of
elucidation and activism . . .the
writing remains unswervingly rational
and principled throughout, and lends
bracing impetus to the real alternatives
before us.—Publisher's
Weekly
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The White Masters of the
World
From
The World and Africa, 1965
By W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois’
Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization
(Fletcher)
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Ancient African Nations
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Enjoy!
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan
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The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
/
Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for
Slavery /
George Jackson /
Hurricane Carter
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The
Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804
/
January 1, 1804 -- The Founding of
Haiti
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