Selma

A little over 10 years later, I wanted to look back at a film that takes place decades earlier. I watched the drama history movie Selma, released on December 25, 2014. Directed by Ava DuVerney, it takes place across several American states. Starring David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, and Carmen Ejogo, it is based on real events and is rated PG-13.

In their goal to ensure equal rights for black people in America, Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his many followers, plan to march from the Alabama towns of Selma to Montgomery as a peaceful protest. Racist people are going to want to put a stop to this however they can. What will have to happen for change?

As we near the end of Black History Month, I felt it was appropriate to review a movie like this. Even decades later, Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence is still felt with the fight for racial equality and peaceful protesting. Though I did not see this film when it was originally out, I decided to watch it now. It is quite well made. While still taking some liberties, it is overall quite accurate to the real event. The message of equality that was trying to be sent is well replicated in film. They do not hold back from showing the brutality the protestors had to go through, but also manage to give hope to bad situations.

The actors do an effective job representing the real life people. The best performance goes to David Oyelowo, Martin Luther King Jr.’s actor. Not only does he look like him, but also speaks in a way that resembles MLK and conveys his kind and determined personality. Just like the real MLK was a strong leader, this actor strongly leads the movie. All the other actors become their roles. Tom Wilkinson portrays reluctance as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Carmen Ejogo portrays worry as Martin’s wife Coretta Scott King, and rapper Common manages to show his determination as James Bevel, as does everyone else who plays the part of a protestor.

Overall, this is a well made historical movie. They managed to show what happened in movie form, got the messages across, and had a bunch of talented actors play the real people involved. I would say this holds up a decade after.

Fitting with the movie and Black History Month, I thought we should talk about fighting racism. While the actions shown in the movie did get results, racism unfortunately still exists. You still hear about violence and other crimes committed based on race. We can be doing more to put a stop to this. You can support more diversity based initiatives. Make it clear that you do not support racism. Help make it so that children will grow up being more accepting. Help out when it is needed. Support organizations that fight to stop racism. And just like the movie, peaceful protests can help. We can create a world with less racism if we all take action.