Film Flashcards
(16 cards)
When was Birth of a Nation created?
1915
What was Birth of a Nation about?
A film about the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era. Racist and positive portrayal of the KKK.
What was the impact of Birth of a Nation?
First blockbuster Hollywood film, longest and most profitable film of its time.
Created a justification for prejudice and harm.
When was In the Heat of the Night created?
1967
What was In the Heat of the Night about?
A mystery drama film, tells story of Virgil Tibbs a black detective racially discriminated against.
What was the impact of In the Heat of the Night?
‘Slap heard around the world’
Challenged racial stereotypes by presenting the black protagonist as intellectually superior to the white men.
film directly addressed racial tension, prejudice, and power dynamics in a way few mainstream Hollywood films had dared to do
Criticism of In the Heat of the Night.
white saviour narrative elements, oversimplifies racism, sanitation of mainstream media.
When was Missing Burning released?
1988
What is Mississippi Burning about?
Three civil rights activists went missing turns out they were murdered by the KKK. There are some accountability but the ending is left open.
What symbolism is in Mississippi Burning?
Burning Cross is a symbol of the KKK,
Impact of Mississippi Burning?
Nominated for 7 academy awards, won best cinematography.
Brought mainstream attention to real-life 1964 murders.
What were the criticisms of Mississippi Burning?
White Saviour Narrative - suggesting white characters were heroes of CRM.
Historical Inaccuracies - downplays role of grassroot activists and exaggerated role of FBI (more aggressive and morally rightious)
When was The Wire released?
2002-8
What was The Wire about?
The Wire follows a ragtag task force assembled by the Baltimore Police Department to investigate a local drug kingpin suspected of multiple homicides.
What was the impact of The Wire?
Daily Telegraph claimed it was one of the best television programme ever made. It was even compared with works from Dickens and Dostoevsky.
What were the criticisms of The Wire?
Aired on a cable channel so didn’t get such a wide audience.
