I went in to this movie not knowing what to expect from all of the on-line social media hype. When I left the theater, I though… “A well produced movie.” I initially didn’t see much that I would consider as amazing. I felt disappointed about that.
Especially as there were so many people on-line who were raving about it. I just didn’t get it. Solid acting, good mix of historical references. Technically very well done. But amazing?
I decided to let it marinade, before formulating an opinion. I went back and watched more reviews from people with a deeper view of the movie. Specifically those with knowledge of history. That’s when I began to see the movie in my own light. The nuanced actions, dialog or storylines that resonated in me. The subtle references to culture exchanges in the Jim Crow era. Not just in the south, but in other areas of America during that time.
Then this morning it hit me. Ryan Coogler has pulled off a cinematic version of Kendrick Lamar’s music. Meaning that there were easter eggs, symbols and triggers planted throughout. You just have to open your awareness to these. You have to pay attention to the writing and subtle imagery presented. Most important the dialog and interactions between characters.
Once I did, I reflected on the numerous back-stories and historical references that are presented. All of which makes me want to learn more about the history of all cultures represented in this film.
We already know what we are taught in traditional educational environments. Historical topics often selectively choosen to present that which benefits a single narrative. This film took place in an era where much of the nuance was left out of the history books. Not presenting a shared narrative between disparate cultures. The Choctaw Nation, the Irish struggles of oppression, the Chinese finding a way to assimilate across cultures. Brilliant.
Sure they hear it from other cultures. As it’s not something personally experienced, the understanding behind the relevance of this film goes undetected. There are those, like myself who are open to understanding the deeper context that may not have made the connection. That which affected their forefathers, not them directly.
In one such case, the choice of Jack O’Connell’s character Remmick stood out to me. He could have simply been from a country associated with the Vampire genera. Eastern Europe. No, he was Irish. But that didn’t make sense. It didn’t need to. It wasn’t about how he became a Vampire. That wasn’t his motivation or back-story.
Remmick’s story didn’t allow me to truly see him as pure-evil once I began to understand his true motivation. You have to dig deeper to understand the character’s history and time the movie was based in. In a strange way, many of us should directly relate to it.
This film presents threads that requires more pulling to fully understand the brilliance of the storytelling in the film. Coogler’s writing prompts you to explore, learn from, and realize that we should be studying history. Not allowing it to be suppressed. To realize that the challenges of today are not rooted in the sins of the past. They are manufactured through the manipulation of history to benefit the current dominant one.
So yes, on the surface it was a Vampire Horror movie. If that’s as far as you want to take it, then maybe you are the problem. If you choose to use this multi-cultural film based in a region or era of oppression. Then you understand why this is an amazing movie. It doesn’t ‘tell’ you to do anything, but rather inspires curiosity to become educated.
I definitely recommend this Movie and fully understand why so many are going back to watch it again. There is just too much to explore from a single sitting. 5-Stars!
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