I walked into
the movie theatre with the highest of expectations: I was looking forward to
viewing a movie that would bring light to a social unionism for this New
Year. Yet, instead, Django Unleashed not only gashed its
jagged teeth into a delicate, aching wound of the nation, but it also
perpetuated the same hegemonic discourse, the same oppressive culture, that
activists from the 1860s (even earlier) to today are fighting to change and
re-direct.
Yes, it was probably
Tarantino’s agenda to use and repeat negative stereotypes, which he did so
magnificently as he portrayed enslaved African Americans as passive, helpless
and obedient, even after they just witnessed an uproar, for example, in one of
the beginning scenes where Dr. Schultz shoots the slave owners and hands the enslaved
African Americans the key to their freedom (literally), all five of them,
including Django, appeared dense as they robotically obeyed the counsel of the
white doctor. And again at the end
of the film, when Django himself murders the slave tradesmen in front of the
sculpted, strong (yet cowardly and dumbfounded?!) dark brown men gawking
wide-eyed in the cage of a wagon. Adding fuel to the fire does nothing to rehabilitate, Quentin.
After a couple
of years in a liberal arts college, where students are taught all of the sides
of history, not just the majority’s “reality”, I am left shocked and disturbed,
and I demand more from Tarantino and from all modern cinema. Time and time again humans have proven
to be resilient and daring in the face of evil, and regurgitating enslaved
African Americans as absent to this force is a profound insult to history, as
if white supremacy outweighs Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, William Still,
Samuel D. Burris, Abraham Shadd, Sojourner Truth, and David Ruggles – to name
only a few.
Instead of using
film as a weapon, a means of revenge, anger and anguish, what if we use it to
instigate solidarity, a revival of humankind? The movie I want to see is individuals
coming together and resisting the social norm, collaboratively taking action,
as equals, not some white guy or black guy with a game plan. A hero is not one person, but rather a
collection of people. It is time
that media loses its “sensationalism” and morbid nature, and starts taking
advantage of its true potential. After
all, you have to admit Dejango “Resilient
and Organized” has a better ring than Dejango
Unchained, like some savage pit-bull.
Hi Mara,
ReplyDeleteWhile you offered some really interesting points about media's sensationalism and appropriation of history, I was left wanting more specifics from the movie. Many of your comments fit into the broader discussion of violence in the media and while Tarantino's signature stylized gore and shock value definitely fit into that category, I wonder if you could have perhaps taken a step back to look at the elements of the film such as its acting, directing, and plot beyond its social implications; I would have also perhaps provided more of a summary for those who haven't seen the film. Very thought-provoking piece!
-Brittany