Movie: Selma

Another history lesson, this time courtesy of Oprah’s Harpo Films. It seems like an annual occurrence now, what with Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Invictus, Captain Phillips and Planet of the Apes—just kidding!—depicting real life stories.In Selma, we are with Dr Martin Luther King and crucially, it’s about fighting to get all Americans the vote in 965, a year after the legal end of segregation. When I say all Americans, I mean of course, American Negroes who I learn, even though it was legal for them to vote, obstacles were put in their place so they couldn’t obtain a voting card.It reminds me of what an important act of democracy voting is and how disappointing it is when people choose not to exercise this fundamental right. I’m also surprised this film didn’t come out a year later – election year in America, although I understand it was many years in the making.It startles me every time I see a film where characters are portrayed suffering unfathomable hardship and brutality to stand up for their rights. I’ve heard Oprah talk about how important it is for today’s generation to see this. To understand what their grandparents or even parents fought through in order for them to have the freedom they have today.At the same time, I’m fully aware, as is the rest of the world with recent events in St Louis and even in London that America in particular has a long way to go to eradicate racism, 50 years after the marches in Selma. I heard audible sobbing in the cinema the like of which I have never witnessed before when yet another (black) life is taken by (white) authorities at point-blank range. Another life taken just to remove a so-called trouble maker from the path of resistance to change. As these scenes portray a real person who lost his life – someone’s son and grandson – it’s heart breaking. As is often said, no parent should go to their child’s funeral. All the time knowing that no-one is going to be held accountable for this unnecessary murder of a man trying to protect both his innocent mother and elderly grandfather. This just for a peaceful March to demand voting rights that are legally his. As with Mandela, the film’s makers were keen to show the real man behind MLK the preacher and leader; affairs, faults and all. Similarly, showing this still preserved the man’s sincerity and courage.A must see. 8½/10Smile factor 6/10