tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186698165589554338.post6349467358363172695..comments2024-01-03T19:09:09.739-05:00Comments on THE OBENSON REPORT: MAILBAG - Defining "Black Cinema"The Obenson Reporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12327489832781036602noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186698165589554338.post-81673845946671089102008-12-30T16:37:00.000-05:002008-12-30T16:37:00.000-05:00You're not off-topic. It's all relevant. Race is a...You're not off-topic. It's all relevant. <BR/><BR/>Race is a man-made construct - one that divides the species, much to our detriment. <BR/><BR/>Individuality, unfortunately, isn't encouraged. But conformity is. <BR/><BR/>I, and many others like me refuse to be classified, or limited by some set list of criteria created by some person or group wielding some amount of power and control. We are too vast and varied a people to allow ourselves to be painted so monolithically.<BR/><BR/>I do welcome the struggle some black filmmakers have chosen to bear, by attempting to deconstruct the classification (black cinema). I just don't want it to become the reason for every film's being - specifically every film by black filmmakers.<BR/><BR/>And, unfortunately, since the category already exists, every film with predominantly black casts is automatically relegated to that single category, and all that being under that umbrella connotes, which often is more damaging to the film than helpful.<BR/><BR/>I realize the futility in trying to define the term, because it then forces one to have to first define what "blackness" is. <BR/><BR/>Ideally, none of this would be topics of discussion; alas, this is the world in which we live. However, I'd like to, if not destroy, then maybe blow the doors wide open on what it all means; and so, maybe the emphasis would be on RE-defining "black cinema" as opposed to DEfining it.The Obenson Reporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12327489832781036602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186698165589554338.post-5067986237977178302008-12-30T00:49:00.000-05:002008-12-30T00:49:00.000-05:00Maybe an idea related to this discussion, maybe no...Maybe an idea related to this discussion, maybe not - the person who creates an idea or a label or category perhaps has greater control or effect on the world (as far as re-organizing the world) then the person who tries to fit into an idea created by someone else - an idea that may or may not be applicable to them because of the individual's choices, qualities or the time in which they live compared to the time period & realities when the idea/label was constructed.<BR/><BR/>In the past many human individuals were prohibited, through the use of force, punishment of death or fear of same, from doing things that others did not want them to do - ultimately it often comes down to one group of people wanting a monopoly over choice land or lucrative activities - for example - African-Americans being denied education in the past - the effect being it is easier to control, subjugate, or compete with & win against uneducated people.<BR/><BR/>I would not lightly buy into a label created for me by people who treated people who look like me as far less than human. It may not be a psychological game that is stacked in my favor, probably quite the opposite.<BR/><BR/>But that's just me, I've always found it more useful for me to approach things as a human individual who will draw my own boundaries - suits me well, better than approaching it as a member of a group as defined by outsiders/one time oppressors of that group.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately I think humanity is a colection of individuals, not groups.<BR/><BR/>So, as an individual filmmaker, each filmmaker should interpert their existence or should portray their view of the world in a way faithful to their own direct experience - probably will result in a lot of different & interesting movies.<BR/><BR/>But I can see how, to people to whom membership in a certain group - being black, white, brown, etc. - is a very important part of their identity - how they would feel a strong need to speak for the group or elevate or defend the group - and how that need would be greater to them than their own personal, direct experience - specially if their direct experience reveals items that may be critical of the group's positive vision of themselves.<BR/><BR/>So, maybe, regardless of how any tye of group (ethnic, national, racial, etc.) cinema is defined - individual filmmakers who can tell a unique story that resonates beyond the political labels (race, nationality, etc.) would - their work would - appeal to lots of humans, many different kinds of humans - possibly - that might be the bright side - however Black Cinema is defined, some very interesting work could come from individual filmmakers from that group who are faithful to their experience or are skilled in sharing their experience & views with others through the tools of cinema.<BR/><BR/>Well, let me stop here, I am probably way off topic by now :)<BR/><BR/>- SujewaSujewa Ekanayakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02909587996837967673noreply@blogger.com