Ava DuVernay's historical drama film Selma is based on the monumental voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery in March 1965. Led by Martin Luther King, John Lewis, Hosea Williams and James Bevel, it celebrates their efforts and achievements into promoting civil rights for Black Americans. Duvernay’s approach to the film pinpoints the place’s historical and racial context well, without a feeling of intimidation that would discourage the audience from watching it. Instead, it has a passion and an intensity that will certainly captivate viewers’ hearts from all around the world, something in which a document merely could not even be compared to.
Throughout the film, the underlying issue of race was addressed by DuVernay remarkably. Selma brought a light to the structural racism that is…show more content… Unlike other Hollywood movies or documentaries I have seen, this story did not glorify and center around white protagonists to be the “saviours” of the film. Instead, Duvernay stayed as truthful to Selma’s history as possible, providing scenes to show the locals helping out and protesting. By showcasing these scenes, it helped for the audience to understand that the people of who founded the movement were led by black women and men, as white and non-black allies stood in silent solidarity.
I found this relatable as a person of colour myself, I tend to try and relate myself towards the situation as a way to show my solidarity towards the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Without realizing, I did not think that by doing this, I am actually belittling the efforts and power that Black people and activists have tried to create over the years. After watching this film, I had learned that the responsibility into becoming an ally was to not only support, but also recognize the self-determination and achievements of African American activists