Racism is a huge issue that has effected society and has caused division amongst races for many decades. Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 blockbuster movie on the rap group NWA. The film showcases the rise of the rappers and how they were treated differently based on their race. The film was directed by F. Gary Gray and starred Jason Mitchell who plays Eric “Eazy E” Wright, O’Shea Jackson Jr. who plays his father “Ice Cube”, Corey Hawkins who plays Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, Aldis Hodge who plays Lorenzo “MC Ren” Patterson, and Neil Brown Jr. who plays Antoine “DJ Yella” Carraby. As it can be noticed early on in the film, an approach is taken to address how some members of society were treated unequally. According to Batey (2015) to make the story …show more content…
as real to the truth as possible, the filmmakers put screenwriters Andrea Berloff and Jonathan Herman in touch with most of the people who are featured in the film (The Quietus, para. 4). In the film the audience sees the different aspects used to help clarify the story. Early in the film it can be seen that the group members are looked at differently compared to the rest of society. The start of the film begins with different news broadcasts that are talking about how gangs, drugs, and the high crime rates. A scene early in the film introduces O’Shea Jackson riding the bus home from school. On his way some of the other kids decide to put up gang signs out the window and antagonize a guy in a car beside them. The car then pulls in front of the bus forcing it to stop. They enter the bus and begin telling the kids that what they were doing is not a joke and people get killed over doing things like that. This scene shows how in 1980 Compton gangs were a very important part as they are trying to dissolve the stereotype that an African American person will become influenced by gangs. This allows the character’s to show that they are not associated with gangs and are only trying to create art. As the film progresses the audience is exposed to a scene around fifty-two minutes in where police are abusing their powers against the main characters. NWA’s manager, Gerald Heller, sees his clients getting treated unfairly and asks the cop why they are being detained. The officer answers by simply saying that they appear as gang members and that he is wasting his time with them. This scene illustrates how in 1980s California, based on how someone appeared would determine if they would be looked down upon. The officers in this scene harassed the clients for what seems like just standing around. At the time the film was set in, the case of Rodney King was fairly fresh. In this case, Rodney King was pulled over, taken out of his vehicle, and assaulted by several officers. This act of assault was caught on tape which allowed for there to be proof of the violence. This is one of the many cases that took place in Compton in the 1980s. Many other cases were dismissed on behalf of not having enough evidence to support the assault taking place. The case of Rodney King was presumably racial based and was featured in the Straight Outta Compton film. In this example of violence, it can be seen that in this time period, police were abusing their power and using excess force. The film commentates over this situation to help the audience understand what was happening during this rough period of time. Another scene in the film shows Dr. Dre fighting on behalf of his brother. By the time the police show up they are no longer fighting and appear as if they are not doing anything. However, the officer still begins telling Dr. Dre to go home or face the consequences. He later uses force to detain and arrest him for not following his orders. Another scene that shows the artists being treated unequally is when they get arrested after playing a song that the FBI forbid them from playing. In this scene the characters can be seen running out of the concert while being chased by officers. After they exit the building, they are confronted by many more officers that are waiting outside for them. As they begin to be detained, the camera gets higher up which shows the crowd of supporters who are now protesting and rioting. This scene shows that something that they are getting in a lot more trouble than someone of white skin colour might. In the scene after, NWA is at a press conference only to say they were exercising their first amendment. This would allow 2them the right to free speech. They claim that this right was being taken away from them which is unfair. Another aspect that helps the film to commentate on the issues involving race is the sound and light. In some scenes in the film, director Gary Gray uses front lighting instead of backlighting. The reason for this is to illuminate the character and have it appear dark behind them. This fits in quite well with the narrative and story as the film looks to showcase the poor times in Compton. The use of lighting is very essential in the telling of the story. In one scene in particular, Dr. Dre finds out about his brother being killed which causes the rest of them to comfort him. This scene uses lighting very well to help create a mood where the audience remembers that this is a true story. As it gets later in the film the lighting switches to create darkness in around the actors’ faces. This helped with showing how Eric Wright became ill and was starting to appear worse. Some of the lighting used also helped with make some scenery appear worse. As the film is telling the story of the rap artists, much of the film has background music. The lyrics tend to reflect a lot of the reality that the artists are facing. This helps create another perspective and helps tell the story more effectively. The use of colour differs throughout the film. At some points many colours are used which helps signify the time period being fairly colourful. At other points in the film not much colour is used; this could be done to either help create mystery or to reflect a character’s emotion. Much of the colour on the outfits is a simple black and white which is a representation of what was actually worn. The lack of light in this film is to help create the illusion as if it were still 1988 and to take the audience back to what Compton used to be. The use of this allows the audience to understand that most of the city was slums and not taken care of at all. In some parts of the film, it may be hard to not feel emotional when some of the characters are showing the darker times that they faced in their life. Another very dark scene in the film is when Eric Wright learns that he has contracted HIV. This scene is especially dark as HIV is incurable and learns that he may only have around six months to live. Since Eric Wright did unfortunately pass away due to the illness, it prevented NWA from getting back together. The death of Eazy E helped create attention around other members of NWA, who were still trying to show that someone should not be recognized in society for the colour of their skin. Another aspect the film uses is mise en scene.
For the purpose of this essay mise en scene is defined as the placement of objects in a shot. In this film many objects are placed in certain spots in a shot so that the audience turns their attention to them. An example of this is when O’Shea Jackson’s character is not paid when he is supposed to so returns to the studio to destroy the office and his albums. The placement of the albums in the office are at the back of the shot. This allows for Ice Cube to easily transition into breaking them. The use of mise en scene in the director’s way of keeping the film flowing and not having to use as many cuts. It also helps to introduce new points into the story. Many different camera techniques can also be seen in this film. Many of these variations are used to help smooth the transition from shot to shot. The film utilizes many crane shots to help elevate the camera and create an aerial shot. The use of camera techniques helps make the audience understand the setting more and feel knowledgably about the city. Leigh (2015) argues that although the film is upfront about most of the leads growing up next to gang life, they are not exactly inside it. However, this may not necessarily true. The film does still give a first-hand experience of the LAPD at its most inglorious moments (Film Review, para 4). The introduction scene in the beginning of the film is also very important. Each member is given an introduction to show who they are. According to Robinson (2015), each member is shown as smart, articulate, and talented from early on, but does not show how they developed the knowledge that would set them apart from other residents of Compton and unify them as a group (The Stereogum review, para 2). This source shows that although the members grew up in a low place, they were able to rise together and become a positive influence to
others. In conclusion, the film Straight Outta Compton uses many techniques to illustrate how people were treated differently based upon the colour of their skin. Many of the characters in the film are exposed to unequal treatment on behalf of their appearance. Along with being treated differently, the film tends to work hard to convey certain messages through the use of lighting and sound. These message help to enforce the theme of the film which focuses on the issues surrounding race. In many aspects, the colour of someone’s skin has separate them from another person. Although not obvious, the film Straight Outta Compton tries to make the audience see that what these guys have to go through on a daily base is no fair.
Novia que te vea is about two Jewish girls named Oshinica (Oshi) and Rifke that live in Mexico. The movie paints a picture of the Jewish community in the city of Mexico as it tells the story of the struggle of these two girls to find their identities.
Over past decades, Hollywood movies have brought out the representations of racial inequality through out various themes of racism and stereotypical ways. One frequent type of racial inequality is that there is a culture or race that is belittled, under-privilege and inferior while the other is superior and high in order. In “The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die” by Matt Zoller Seitz, He identifies the term “magical negro” as: “a saintly African American character who acts as a mentor to a questing white hero, who seems to be disconnected from the community that he adores so much, and who often seems to have an uncanny ability to say and do exactly what needs to be said or done in order to keep the story chugging along in the hero’s favor” (408) and in Mitu Sengupta “ Race Relations Light Years from the Earth” the author examines the movie Avatar as a racist film, and focuses on how it resembles the “white messiah” stereotype. The term “white messiah” is known as a white individual who hold superior power, according to David Brooks of the New York Times, “a stereotype that white people are rationalistic and technocratic while colonial victims are spiritual and athletic, and that nonwhites need the White Messiah to lead their crusades” (Sengupta 213). Both articles dwell and explain the two terms and how it portrays the themes of racism and stereotypes through two elements, known as author’s purpose and main idea. These elements effectively convey the theme because it prevents our thoughts from being scattered by a broad spectrum of ideas and instead, it tells you exactly what is going to be discussed throughout the article.
Even though the prison has multiple gangs inside, the producers focus on two rivalry gangs for their documentary. A Latino gang called Ogden Trece and a white supremacist group; the two groups go back and forth all the time. The prison has a cell block that is just devoted to gang members and the guards who work in that certain section has
According to Newman in Sociology: The Architecture of Everyday Life, a social class “consists of people who occupy similar positions of power, privilege, and prestige” (Newman, 2012). Someone’s position in a social class can affect “virtually every aspect of their lives, including political preferences, sexual behavior, religious affiliation, diet, and life expectancy” (Newman, 2012). The social class that was represented in the film was the middle-class. The show, Pleasantville, portrays the 1950s in which the wife would stay at home cooking and cleaning while the father works. This show holds similar views to the show, Leave it to Beaver. The movie begins
Boyz N the Hood was a film created to convey an anti-gang message as well as to provide societal members an in-depth look at life in “the hood” so he or she can expand their culturally awareness of identifying societal issues (Stevenson, 1991). Upon the debut of “Boyz N the Hood” violence erupted at theaters across the nation, resulting in multiple shows pulling the film from scheduled showings to alleviate future violent behaviors (Stevenson, 1991). The film profoundly illustrates the realty of the events revealed within the storyline that frequently occur on a daily basis within every impoverish community; however, is overlooked by the individuals who are not directly involved and or affected (Leon-Guerrero, 2016) Children of lower socioeconomic status often are raised in ghetto neighborhoods where they often witness, crime, violence, gang activity, abuse, and drugs (Leon-Guerrero, 2016). Ghetto communities envelop tumultuous cycles of violence and substance abuse creating a pervasive occurrence within the residents of the community. This is prevalent in lower developed communities that unfortunately many children and the youth populace indirectly inherit and sadly conform to, as there are no other means to an end for them (Leon-Guerrero,
The movie 'Ethnic Notions' describes different ways in which African-Americans were presented during the 19th and 20th centuries. It traces and presents the evolution of the rooted stereotypes which have created prejudice towards African-Americans. This documentary movie is narrated to take the spectator back to the antebellum roots of African-American stereotypical names such as boy, girl, auntie, uncle, Sprinkling Sambo, Mammy Yams, the Salt and Pepper Shakers, etc. It does so by presenting us with multiple dehumanized characters and cartons portraying African-Americans as carefree Sambos, faithful Mammies, savage Brutes, and wide-eyed Pickaninnies. These representations of African-Americans roll across the screen in popular songs, children's rhymes, household artifacts and advertisements. These various ways to depict the African ?American society through countless decades rooted stereotypes in the American society. I think that many of these still prevail in the contemporary society, decades after the civil rights movement occurred.
At the end of” Get Out”, it's evident that once Rose’s job is complete to lure Chris into the house and trap him,she in need to trap her next victim. This showcased white women's passive indifference to racism in America.Her history of hunting down Black people to return home is a reflection of Black men being fetishized in modern society. She sees black people as just items, she was basically shopping for a physically-enhanced slave. Even Though, in the beginning of the movie she seems to defend her boyfriend from first the cop, and her parents second. It later on discovered that it was all an act that she was a part in. It’s hard to tell if she actually enjoys being intimate and sexual with black men or just following the orders of her family.
Colonialism, Genocide, and Slavery have haunted the United States for ions as a result of its decision making and power exuded over others. Something that all of these can be related to is racism. Some believe that racism does not exist today and some believe that it is not the same racism of old as in the 1940’s and 50’s. In the film “Do the Right Thing” producer and actor Spike Lee conveys racism, prejudice and discrimination a pseudo neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1980’s. Among the many other sociological concepts and theories that are heavily used throughout the film, social stratification and claimsmaking can help one understand the many stages that the neighborhood goes through within the film.
I watched the 1989 film Do the Right Thing produced, written and directed by Spike Lee. As the movie progressed, I identified with the character Tina because she too was a Puerto Rican. I did not realize that my ethnic identity was so salient but this makes sense because it is something you are faced with every day. By this I mean, some social identities can be changeable such as one’s religious preference, but someone's ethnicity cannot. Growing up, I constantly heard Spanish being spoken in my home, I noticed my meals were different than my friends, and cultural aspects such as a tight knit family were very familiar to me. All of these characteristics led to the development of my identity and thus why I can relate to Tina’s character. For
All through time, the world has been racist and intolerant of people different from themselves. Countless millions have suffered due to the bigotry of people that couldn't understand change or differences among one another. There was a time when any soul that wasn't blue eyed and blonde haired in Germany, anyone with darker skin where immediately classed as inferior and not human. Even now, when you are not aware, racism is still a considerable problem. But sometimes it isn't one person being racist against another, but rather one person being racist against them self. The movie crash shows good examples of how racism against oneself, caused by fear and misunderstanding, is just as malevolent and evil as racism against another person. Fear is what makes people act racist. Farhad is one of many examples in the movie of a person who recognizes his own race and paralyzes himself through his own fear. Farhad believes that since he is Persian he is immediately being persecuted against and cheated. He flips out at the gun shop when the owner was insulting him which just furthers his fear of Americans. After the events on 9/11, which are referenced a lot in the movie, Farhad thinks that anyone who is Middle Eastern isn't welcome in America. Even after the gun shop owner was rude; his shop was destroyed by racist people who hated him. It is this same fear of being cheated because of his race that makes him very untrusting to people he doesn't know. He calls a lock smith to come fix his door because it won't lock. He immediately thinks that Daniel is trying to cheat him and steal money from him just because of his past endeavors.
The film Crash, describes the lives of people of different ethnicities who encounter one another along with struggling to handle racism. It is rare that we see a movie combining several different stories presented in a way that addresses some of the most piercing problems in society today. The movie is set in the Los Angeles area, Crash tells the intertwining stories of different races, ethnic groups, social economic statuses, the people behind the law, and people running from it. Just as in the movie we “crash” into each other in life, which is an expected thing. The incidents in the movie stem from some form of prejudice. At the opening of the film, there is a traffic accident involving several people of different backgrounds. The movie
The film Straight Outta Compton, a box office hit, was a well-depicted film that focused on the hard struggles of a California rap group called N.W.A. during the late-1980s to mid-1990s. However, audiences have questioned the reality of the film Straight Out of Compton, for omitting the incident in which former N.W.A. member Dr. Dre assaulted reporter Dee Barnes. Although, this altercation is factual, this was not the intended message the film was meant to portray.
When we see around us we see that we all are in the most advanced and technical world. We are in the 21st century where we consider ourselves the most modest and civilized people. But, I think the more we are modernized and enlightened, the more we are becoming narrow minded about race. According to me, in today’s world race is not only about color now, it is more about the upper class and lower class. We human beings are known as the most smartest of all the organisms, but our smartness is leading us to create and build differences between our own human race. Other animals and organisms with whom we share this planet and the ones from whom the species human came, never show these attitudes towards their other members. Firstly, in this
The director Antoine Fuqua vision for this film was to bring that intense love-hate relationship onto the big screen and showcase it for the world to see. To ensure a convincing film setting, Fuqua shot on location in some of the most hardcore neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Fuqua also wanted to show the daily struggles of officers tasked to work in the rougher neighborhoods of cities and how easy it can be to get caught up in a street life filled with killers and drug dealers. Overall the film displayed the city of Los Angeles in a different perspective. One which m...
Racism Exposed in Cry, the Beloved Country. The purpose of Cry, the Beloved Country, is to awaken the population of South Africa to the racism that is slowly disintegrating the society and its people. The. Alan Paton designs his work to express his views on the injustices and racial hatred that plagues South Africa, in an attempt to bring about change and.