On Monday, millions of Americans will have the day off to do what they please. Many will stay home, others will head to the park or spend time with their families, but if you find yourself with no plans on this very important national holiday, I encourage you to do one thing: go to the movies.
By this statement, I don’t urge you to see the latest Kevin Hart comedy, or another Clint Eastwood western, nay, I encourage you to see a masterful work of art that encompasses the raw and natural emotion of the man for whom this holiday is named after, go to the movies and see “Selma.”
“Selma” is more than a movie about Martin Luther King Jr., it’s more than just another Hollywood biopic, and it’s deeper than a history lesson put on film. “Selma” is a rough look into our uncomfortable past as a country. It’s about our people’s struggle to secure a small slice of human dignity. It will break through your bleak memory of Dr. King or your perception of him as told in high school history class. “Selma” is a real human drama about people in a small rural city engulfed by racism and bigotry. It is about extraordinary people sacrificing their lives and well being for a basic right to vote, and their story will rattle your bones.
This film is a must-see for anyone, regardless of age, race, religion or creed. It is a simple spark for an issue that as we speak has become an engulfing flame. It will resonate with you long after you step out of the theater and should become required viewing for all school children ages 13 and up. So don’t run, march to the theaters this weekend and go see a film that embodies what this very weekend is about. If you need further motivation, here are five reasons why you have to see “Selma” this holiday weekend:
1. This Is Why You Have The Day Off
On November 2nd, 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill that created the federal holiday that we now all know as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is celebrated on the third Monday of January, close to Dr. King’s birthday. King was a pastor, an activist, and a humanitarian. He helped advance the civil rights movement in this country, and he did it in improbable fashion: without violence. In school, you were taught his famous “I Have a Dream” speech after reading about his march on Washington, but that is not what the movie “Selma” is about. In fact, the march on Washington and his famous speech is never even mentioned in the film. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize on October 14, 1964, and that is where the movie begins.
2. You Will Meet The Real Martin Luther King Jr.
What is great about “Selma” is that it is not your ordinary biopic. Arguably, it’s not a biopic at all. Rather than regurgitating the Hollywood formula of learning about Martin Luther King Jr. from his birth to his tragic assassination in 1968, the movie chooses to focus on a small chapter of King’s life and his activism. The film spans a 6-month period in Dr. King’s life as he traveled to Selma, Alabama to join forces with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to allow the people of Selma and many others in the South the right to register to vote. After segregation ended, all Americans were given the right to vote, but African-Americans in Selma and in the south were barred by county voting registrars and denied their rights as Americans. By virtue of its focus on such a short period in King’s history, it allows the viewers to get an intimate look at the human side of Martin Luther King Jr. He is not portrayed as perfection personified or as a martyr like many other biopics have done. No, King is portrayed by British actor, David Oyelowo, as courageous, brave, brilliant, and flawed. He gets punched in the face, he bleeds, he cries, he makes jokes, he fights with his wife, he cheats on his wife, and he is an imperfect parent and husband. This is the real Martin Luther King Jr. and the film does not hide from this fact. If you want a glimpse behind the veil, this movie is for you.
3. Just Because The Academy Awards Snubbed It, Doesn’t Mean You Have To
On Thursday, the nominations for the 87th annual Academy Awards came out and “Selma” was noticeably missing from nearly every major category. Thankfully, the academy still nominated the film for Best Picture, but its glaring omission of the film for directing, writing, acting and other prominent categories is a travesty. The academy has acknowledged that the film is one of the ten best films of 2014, but apparently has trouble believing that the director, the writer, and the actors had anything to do with that. Its second nomination is for Best Song, which should be a lock to take home the Oscar. It is written and performed by Common and John Legend and is the perfect piece to accompany the film. It’s an incredible song both lyrically and in its percussion-heavy crescendos. Trust us, the academy got this one wrong when it did not nominate Ava Duvernay as the first ever female black director in the 87 year history of the Oscars. They failed in not nominating Oyelowo’s performance as Martin Luther King Jr.,(which is mesmerizing), and they failed to not nominate Paul Webb for best screenplay. Just because the academy screwed the pooch on this one, does not mean you should too.
4. It Bridges The Gap Between Our Past And Our Uncertain Present
At the forefront of the film, are the three attempted marches by Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the people of Selma in March of 1965. The first march on March 7th turned violent when over 600 peaceful protestors collided with a violent mob of police. The beatings of the protestors were televised live across the country and became known forever as “Bloody Sunday.” When watching “Selma,” you can’t help but connect the images of the past with those of the present. It’s an unfortunate reminder of how far our country has come in 50 years, and also, how far it has NOT come in regards to race relations in the United States. The violence, hate, protests, struggles and pain felt by those on the silver screen are reminiscent of those in Ferguson we have seen on our television screens. “That’s why Rosa sat on the bus! That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up!” echoes the voice of Common over the closing credits of the Golden Globe winning song, “Glory.” We promise the film will change your perspective.
5. It Will Move You
“Selma” isn’t a documentary about the Alabama marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. It’s not a biopic, either. This movie is about the people of Selma, Alabama and their struggle will tug on your heartstrings. Sure, Dr. King is the central protagonist of the film, but its star is the town of Selma. Its citizens were courageous, brave, selfless, and they came together to unite for a single cause. If you see “Selma” and you find yourself fighting back tears or sick to your stomach, that’s okay. It is meant for you to feel something. Many people go to movies to escape reality and watch actors play “make believe,” but this film is about our recent history as a country, and if it doesn’t affect you in some way, that’s telling. You won’t leave the theater smiling and happy, but surely it should give you hope. It should show you the power that people can have in enacting change, the impact of a movement, and the inspiration to stand up for what you believe in.
“Selma” is in theaters now nationwide and should be at the top of your viewing list this weekend. Gather your friends, family, or significant other and go see a film that is about our past, but carries with it the voice of our present.
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