What's something that the film industry is
lacking? Diversity, it's always lacked diversity. And with the rise of
political correctness over the past few years, that fact has never been more
apparent. After the past two Academy Award ceremonies, both of which didn't
have any non-white actors nominated for an acting award, the lack of diversity
in Hollywood came to the masses. The issue caused such a stir, that the Academy
will be making some new hires and changes in the hopes of broadening their
nomination scope. As a movie fan, I'm always looking for something out of the
box, and in came "Moonlight." "Moonlight" is an indie film
from a no-name director, with no-name actors, and the only reason people know
it exists is because the respected studio A24 produced and distributed it. When
I walked into the theater ready to watch this movie I knew nothing about it
other than word-of-mouth that it was good. And after seeing it, I realize that
not only is it the best movie of the year so far, it might be the most
important.
"Moonlight" follows a man named
Chiron through three stages of his life. As a young child when he was known as little,
as a teenager when he was Chiron, and in his later 20s when he's called Black.
Chiron was born in a poorer neighborhood and raised by a drug addict mother who
refused to seek help until Chiron was already an adult. Chiron is gay, and
where he was raised at the time wasn't exactly what you would call progressive.
The film follows his life, growth, and only meaningful relationship he ever
had. Chiron is a complicated and layered character; naturally he is shy, timid,
and unsure of himself. So much so that in his later years he is afraid to seek
out a relationship, almost ashamed of whom he is. He himself follows certain schemas and stereotypes. The idea that he is a troubled youth, and later in life he actually becomes a high ranking drug dealer. Truthfully, Chiron is one of
the best characters I've seen in a movie in years.
"Moonlight" is the best movie I've
seen this year. Filled with great performances, strong direction, a brilliant
screenplay, and stunning cinematography, people will look back at this movie as
a gem. But it's not just great; I think it's an important movie for the film
industry. This is a raw film about a gay black character that struggles with
accepting himself everyday he wakes up. I think this will be remembered as a
landmark film in modern "black cinema" as well as "LGTB
cinema." And with so many critics praising it, I find it hard to believe
that "Moonlight" won't bring some much needed diversity to this
year's Academy Awards. Symbolic annihilation is a real thing when it comes to cinema, I read recently pointing out that the vast majority of movies featuring straight white characters; but this movie defies those numbers. "Moonlight" is special, it is respectfully
progressive without being preachy; showing a man the way he is in a culture
where many won't accept him. This isn't just the best movie of the year, it's
the most important.
Image Source:
http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2016/08/official-poster-trailer-barry-jenkins-moonlight/moonlight-poster/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/30000-hollywood-film-characters-heres-many-werent-white/
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