Italian neo-realism is a style of film that is characterized by stories set amongst the working class, filmed on location, and mainly using non professional actors.
These four films do all these things to some degree. It is common throughout that they all tell some story whether being a man looking for his life "Nothin' But A Man" or a free willed black man fighting "The Man", they all have something to share in the conversation of equality and civil rights. These films are all inspired by the people/working class, they have all intentions of reaching them and even higher expectations of empowering them. If you saw "Sweet Sweetback's Badassss
Song" for the first time neo-realism would probably never cross your mind, but the film has many qualities, like the rest of the films mentioned. It has a new democratic spirit with emphasis on the value of ordinary people. an avoidance of neatly plotted stories in favor of loose, episodic structures that evolve organically. A documentary visual style and the use of actual locations, rather than studio sites. The use of non professional actors and the use of conversational speech. All of these equate to these films.
The films of the "Old Negro" are gone and a new age has approached, though some elements have carried over, which can be seen in any Pam Grier flick.
With Obama being the first black president and the nation looking for a change, maybe the day of true equality is here but we still have a hugh hill to climb, but it has been reduced from a mountain.
I leave you with an excerpt of what I believe to be one of the greatest speeches of my generation.
1 comment:
I agree . That speech will be recited by children around the globe for generations to come! Hopefully if we still have a planet. Excellent treatment of the blog space. Much appreciate your remarks about Burnett. May I forward your link to him?
Prof Cobb
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