Portrayal of African Americans in Hollywood Movies Released from 2006-2013

Home , The Great Debaters, The Pursuit of Happyness

PORTRAYAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES RELEASED FROM 2006-2013

Augustine Sahay Hemrom Registered Number: 1424004

A dissertation Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of

Master of Arts in Communication and Media Studies

CHRIST UNIVERSITY Bengaluru

2016

Program authorized to offer degree: Department of Media Studies

CHRIST UNIVERSITY

Department of Media Studies

This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master’s thesis by

Augustine Sahay Hemrom Registered Number: 1424004

and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made.

Committee Members:

______SHANTARAJU S

______

Date: ______

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Master's Signature

I, Augustine Sahay Hemrom confirm that this dissertation and the work presented in it are original. 1. Where I have consulted the published work of others this is always clearly attributed. 2. Where I have quoted from the work of others the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations this dissertation is entirely my own work. 3. I have acknowledged all main sources of help. 4. If my research follows on from previous work or is part of a larger collaborative research project I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself. 5. I am aware and accept the penalties associated with plagiarism.

Date:

CHRIST UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT

Portrayal of African Americans in Hollywood Movies Released From 2006-2013

Augustine Sahay Hemrom

Racial stereotypes in American movies have mirrored our general public's predominant philosophies and have impacted our belief systems since the film business started. This study relates to the portrayal of how African Americans are projected in the certain movies from a particular time period from 2006-2013. Generalizations of blacks as lethargic, imbecilic, absurd, apprehensive, easygoing, reckless, infantile, rough, sub-human, and creature like, are widespread in today's general public. These debasing generalizations are fortified and upgraded by the negative depiction of blacks in the media. Right from the early 18th century there has been a massive change in the development of African American people in field of films and television that now today they are writing, directing and acting. The Black’s perception has been changed now. Till date whatever Blacks movie released have portrayed the community resulting the better and giving more option of perceiving the movies. Whatever the movies made from earlier times Blacks has always shared the screen with the Whites and it really has been success. Keywords: stereotyping, violence, blockbuster hits, inspirational, racism.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My sincere gratitude to my Guide, Shantaraju S, for his constant guidance encouragement and support. I also thank the course co-ordinator Fr Biju K Chacko and Head of the Department Prof. Naresh Rao for their support. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to Suparna Naresh, Aasita Bali, Amutha Manavalan, Rajesh A., Kannan S, Ivory Lyons and Chandrasekhar Vallath for their valuable feedback and restless assistance in bringing out this research. I also would like to thank the Dean Dr. Andrew Kennedy, my family and friends for the encouragement and devotion, without whom this thesis would never have been completed.

DEDICATION To family and friends

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Early Phase: ...... 1 1.2 Blacks Popularity ...... 2 1.3 Recent Rise ...... 3 1.4 Today’s Stars Yesteryears Role ...... 3 1.5 Early portrayal of the Blacks ...... 4 1.6 Acting and Directing: ...... 5 Chapter 2 Research Methodology ...... 7 2.1 Research ...... 7 2.2 Types of Research: ...... 7 2.3 Research Problems: ...... 8 2.4 Qualities of researcher ...... 9 2.5 Content Analysis: ...... 9 2.6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Content Analysis: ...... 10 2.7 Types of Interview to be done: ...... 10 2.8 Objectives to be taken for study: ...... 11 Chapter 3 Review of Literature ...... 13 Chapter 4 Analysis ...... 24 4.1 Pursuit of Happyness ...... 24 4.2 The Great Debaters ...... 27 4.3 Django Unchained ...... 30 4.4 The Book of Eli ...... 35 Chapter 5 Secondary Findings ...... 40 5.1 American Black Film Festival...... 40 5.2 Birth of the Nation: ...... 41 5.3 Civil Rights Development...... 44 5.4 The Film industry with Blacks:...... 45 5.5 Ethnic Notions: ...... 50 Chapter 6 Conclusion ...... 52 6.1 Introduction ...... 52

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6.2 Analysis...... 53 6.3 Findings and Platforms for Blacks ...... 56 6.4 Limitations ...... 57 6.5 Scope of Further Research ...... 57 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 58 APPENDIX: EXPERT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ...... 60

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TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Chris Gardener with his son ...... 24 Figure 2 Gardener love for his son ...... 25 Figure 3 The team of debaters consisting of Henry Lowe, Samantha Brooke ...... 27 Figure 4 Denzel Washington as Melvin Tolson guiding the young Debaters ...... 28 Figure 5 Melvin’s speech to his students ...... 29 Figure 6 One of the close up shot by Quentin ...... 31 Figure 7 Schultz and Django on their mission ...... 32 Figure 8 Candie's violent question ...... 33 Figure 9 Candie asking Django the motive of his visit ...... 33 Figure 10 Schultz explaining Django about the killing to be done ...... 34 Figure 11 Eli’s journey to the West ...... 35 Figure 12 ...... 36 Figure 13 Eli's nemesis Carneige who like to read ...... 36 Figure 14 Eli’s faith kept him alive and in search of quest ...... 37 Figure 15 Town swallowed by grief, disease, no water and dictatorship ...... 37 Figure 16 Poster of The Birth of A Nation ...... 42 Figure 17 D.W Griffith while filming...... 43 Figure 18 ...... 43 Figure 19 Marlon Riggs ...... 51 Figure 20 Poster of Ethnic Notions ...... 51 Figure 21 Quentin Cinematic bloodbath ...... 53 Figure 22 ...... 54

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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Early Phase

Hollywood movies had differently portrayed Afro-Americans from the beginning. African Americans have had a long and rather complex history in the American movie industry. Early portrayals of African American men and ladies were bound to belittling cliché pictures of non-white individuals. Since the movie’s beginning, African Americans have played a critical but largely neglected role in film production and acting. Amid the first many years of the 20th century, numerous movies delineated a nostalgic and admired vision of life in the prewar South. African American characters, in keeping with the prevailing generalizations, were depicted as awkward, tyke like, hyper-sexualized, and criminal. Blacks have been dealt with as somewhat different since the beginning of America. Coercively conveyed here as slaves to the white man, blacks have never been dealt with as totally equivalent to whites. Generalizations of blacks as lethargic, imbecilic, absurd, apprehensive, easygoing, reckless, infantile, rough, sub-human, and creature like, are widespread in today's general public. These debasing generalizations are fortified and upgraded by the negative depiction of blacks in the media. Dark characters have showed up in American movies since the start of the business in 1888. Yet, blacks weren't even enlisted to depict blacks in ahead of schedule works. Rather, white performing artists and on-screen characters were enlisted to depict the characters while in "blackface.” By declining to contract dark performers to depict dark characters, belittling generalizations were being made as blacks were displayed in an unfavorable light. Likewise, blacks were intentionally depicted in movies with negative generalizations that strengthened white amazingness over blacks. This has had a colossal impact on our general public's perspective of blacks since films have had a greater amount of an effect on general society mind than whatever other stimulation medium in the most recent ninety years.

Indeed, even the parts for African Americans that may be seen as more positive- for example, faithful hirelings, mammies, and stewards -fortified a conviction that the best possible social position for Blacks was that of a hireling who was unswervingly dedicated to his/her White experts and to maintaining the current social request. From the mid-1910s to the 1930s a couple film organizations (some of them Black-possessed) were made with the sole expectation of putting on "all-shaded cast" creations that included good and different parts for the onscreen performers. The relocation of substantial quantities of African Americans from the rustic South to urban territories over the U.S. between the 1910s and 1940s moved the racial scene, and standard Hollywood started to mirror this demographic change in its movies. The developing energy of the Civil Rights Movement got more changes Hollywood as the 1950s saw the coming of huge preparations emphasizing every Black cast and the beginnings of a shift in the courses in which Black and White performing artists imparted screen time. Different movies in the 1960s saw a continuation of the work that was achieved in the late 1950s, with more prominent push back against the racial existing conditions, more prominent cast joining, and more noteworthy consolation to better comprehend the implications of race in the U.S.

1.2 Blacks Popularity

Blacks from the early 17th century was brought from all Africa. They were brought by British and it really changed the shape of America. But the Blacks were exploited just because of their appearances and less education background. They were made to work in farms, drive horse carts, do all the labor related jobs which were dangerous and risk taking. Blacks women were portrayed in a more negative way the problems of trafficking was prevalent those days. The earlier problems of people getting beaten due to their skin color and works that were given just because of their appearances. Black actors in recent cinema such as Morgan Freeman, Samuel L Jackson, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes has changed the face of Blacks has been portrayed when it comes to crime, inspirational, drama, comedy etc. in many ways.

1.3 Recent Rise

Blacks role are now prominent in movies and TV series. Earlier it was more controversial to portray Blacks in moving image. The migration of Blacks from all over the world and participating in Hollywood is also a factor especially from Europe, South America and Caribbean islands. African Americans had a few outlets in earlier startup in mainstream Hollywood movies. This eventually led to rise in the racial films. Movies were lastly made now by Black directors and acted by Black actors for the Blacks audiences. Some of the movies were also made by the white men. Initially and till today lots of independent films are made my Black actors and directors. Most films hasn’t survived long enough or not so relevant. Directors such as Spike Lee has changed the whole type of filmmaking for Blacks. Overall Blacks would eventually be pulled into the mainstream productions but almost portrayed as domestic workers, convicts and criminals. Sidney Poitier was to break all the stereotypes. He became the first Black man to be awarded Oscar best actor for Lilies of the Field in 1964. The Civil Rights movement gave lots of attention to Hollywood. Comedians like Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor made a huge change from concert films to action movies to scripted comedies. Spike Lee became one of the most celebrated directors of his era. John Singleton became the first Hollywood Black director to be nominated for best director for Boyz n the Hood and youngest person to be nominated in this category.

1.4 Today’s Stars Yesteryears Role

The more figures from the recent years such as Cuba Gooding Jr, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, Halle Berry and many more has proved to be actors in many ways, since their roles have really made a difference and they were even nominated or they even won an Oscar. Halley Berry and Denzel Washington won the best actress and actor awards in 2002. Well there were other Black actors also nominated from that year onwards since then. Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Hudson, Octavia Spencer were nominated for the supporting roles. Their rise in all types of motion picture framework is becoming a success and its working good. There is also involvement of many Black actors with lots of great personalities worldwide when it comes to motion pictures and all the racial stereotypes has been broken now. Though they are still now in some movies are shown to be living in a ghetto where black culture prevails a lots. There are numerous inspirational movies acted by blacks

3 and how they are portrayed in that is really very moving. Films such as The Great Debaters, Men of Honor, Hotel Rwanda, Monster’s Ball and etc. Has really proved to be the movie of all time.

1.5 Early portrayal of the Blacks

Blacks are represented as inferiors in society and it has been really difficult from the beginning in maintaining their status. Brought in early 1800’s from the African nations by the British and were tangled in the roots of slavery, deception and trafficking. The suffering of the Blacks can be studied in different forms of literature and arts. Earlier blacks were portrayed by the whites when it came to Theatre and Cinema. Movies such as “Birth of a Nation” and the first talkie movie by Al Johnson’s “The Jazz Singer”. Till date whatever Blacks movie released have portrayed the community resulting the better and giving more option of perceiving the movies. Between The Birth of a Nation, and the "Jazz Singer" (1927), there spoke the truth two dozen movies with vital dark characters or scenes. None were as transparently hostile to Negro as The Birth of a Nation, however aside from maybe a couple, most stuck to the set up generalizations. The 1920s' decade did be that as it may, see a decrease in the quantity of Blackface white artists that commanded the pre-talkies. It ought to be said here that for no good reason the Blackface parts of Al Jolson, (ostensibly the most renowned performers of the first 50% of the twentieth century), were worthy to dark performers. In addition, Jolson exhibited an honest to goodness admiration to Blacks specialists. Dooley Wilson's (Sam) in Warner Brother's "Casablanca" was most likely the end's start of the prevalent Blacks generalization that had ruled Hollywood since its commencement. "Hearts in Dixie" (1929), was film of significant significance for two reasons. The two most common genres associated with African American are Blaxploitation films from the early 1970’s to recent times. Urban and aural iconography engaged in its immediate socio-economic, political and industrial contexts. Even the 90’s and 2000’s release also brought a major change in films, the popularity of hood films and music’s also contributed to the films major success. The music contributed to more capitalization on inner city settings and focuses on youth culture of both males and females, fashion, music and personalities. The transformation was a major challenge to whole American African scenario. African American texts (film, literature, filth) explore themes of hope, mobility and escape.

It has been a major effort in shaping the American life and culture during the twentieth century. This has been crucial influence on the life of the African American culture and analysis of reversing the roles and presence of urban space in Black cinema and also dealing with the questions which ask about the power of the cinematic representation. In the first place, it was the first Hollywood film to highlight an all- Black cast. Second and all the more imperatively, the film acquainted with more extensive groups of onlookers, one of the film business' most polemical figures ever - Stepin Fetchit. Conceived Lincoln Theodore Monroe Perry in Key West Florida in 1902, whatever the movies made from earlier times Blacks has always shared the screen with the Whites and it really has been success. The prominent actors have broken the traditions of stereotyping and are obliged to work with the Blacks. So much has been composed about "Gone With the Wind" (1939), suffice is to say that while The Birth of a Nation was straightforwardly against Negro, GWTW, was, best case scenario secretly hostile to Negro. Some Black critics kept up the where The Birth of a Nation finished, Gone with the Wind started. The recent completed the employment of expelling from the general population mind the Northern perspective of subjection, Civil War, and Reconstruction, and supplanting it with the conventional Southern perspective Even the famous singers, musicians have also contributed very much to the Hollywood Film industry. (Cripps)

1.6 Acting and Directing

The various movies acted and directed by Black’s have portrayed in a better way. Mentioning all the various characters of the Blacks from the Character analysis, depiction and context, discourse analysis. The Blacks have been portrayed in both negative and positive aspect both. Researcher will be analyzing the Blacks in the movie according to style they wear, dialogues, social context (how the society looks upon them), part of racism, was the movie the box office hit? Movie showing god guy, bad guy thing. The various movie taken by researcher are as follows:  Django Unchained.  Pursuit of Happyness.  Great Debaters.  The Book of Eli. Each movie will be analyzed according to the portrayal of Blacks. Actors such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Samuel Johnson, Halle Berry,

Laurence Fishburne and many others who had mark perfection with their acting roles. Their sense of dressing, style of talking is comparatively different. The difference between the Blacks who are living in the posh and poor conditions. The Blacks who are poor lives in a shady condition even called as Ghettos and Blacks living in the posh areas stays in villas, expensive apartments etc.  Time  Characters  Culture  Genre  Time –period  Target audience  Box office hits/flops Blacks as portrayed in Pursuit of Happyness shows how father and son survives each day in a big city. Blacks are portrayed as slaves in Quentin Tarintino’s epic movie Django Unchained where they show how slavery and exploitation were killing the Blacks which were prevalent in early America. Some of the inspirational roles as shown in movies such as Pursuit of Happyness, Great debaters and After Earth. The role of Denzel Washington and Will Smith have really changed the entire perception of the movie. The movie of Father-Son duo Will Smith and Jaden Smith have really been really appreciated by the critics all over the world. The duo of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker also proved to be level best with a very hard hitting comedy and the series of Rush Hour which is the 3rd installment. The comedy on how both the people from the different community is portrayed as the masters of comedy according to different situations. Their language and way of appearance in movie is quite to be understand where they both are projected in France. Another movie I Am Legend is also projected in a very different way, where it focuses on the story of the Last man alive on Earth and how he faces the “Dead” and trying to cure them of the diseases.

Chapter 2

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Research

Research should be taken as it should be undertaken in a scientific manner, biases and subjectivity should be avoided the process should follow valid and verifiable tools, techniques and procedures, the process follows the logical and sequential procedures that are established by the academic discipline in which one are conducting research.

Research comprises “creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.”

Scientific research is a systematic way of gathering data, a harnessing of curiosity. This research provides scientific information and theories for the explanation of the nature and the properties of the world. It makes practical applications possible. Scientific research is funded by public authorities, by charitable organizations and by private groups, including many companies. Scientific research can be subdivided into different classifications according to their academic and application disciplines.

2.2 Types of Research

Quantitative methods were originally developed in the natural sciences to study natural phenomena. However examples of quantitative methods now well accepted in the social sciences and education include:

 Surveys  Experiments  Questionnaires

Qualitative research methods were developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study social and cultural phenomenon. Examples of qualitative methods include:

 Ethnography  Case studies  Focus group discussions.

Basic research: The objective of basic research is to gain more comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the subject under study, without specific applications in mind. In industry, basic research is defined as research that advances scientific knowledge but does not have specific immediate commercial objectives, although it may be in fields of present or potential commercial interest. Applied research: Applied research refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical problems.

2.3 Research Problems

In all research projects, on whatever subject, there is a need to characterize and portray the research problem issue obviously. The research problem is a general proclamation of an issue justifying examination. Its nature will propose fitting structures for its examination. Here are a few structures in which the research problem can be communicated to show the technique for findings. The research problems in some sociology exploration ventures utilizing the speculative deductive strategy is communicated regarding the testing of a specific speculation. It is therefore important to know what makes good hypotheses and how they can be formulated. On the other hand, it is not suitable to utilize the speculative deductive technique, or even scientific method, in every research study. Much research into society, outline, history, logic's and numerous different subjects can't give the full criteria for formulation of hypotheses and their testing.

The components that a decent research method must have are:

1. Should be precise in nature. 2. Should be consistent. 3. Should be exact and replicable in nature. 4. Should be as per arrangements. It should be as per the principles and the suppositions ought not to be in light of the false bases or judgments. 5. Should be applicable to what is needed. 6. Procedure ought to be reproducible in nature.

2.4 Qualities of researcher

1. Examination is in light of the experimental technique.

2. Aides in noting different related inquiries.

3. It is a composed, arranged and tolerant examination or a basic request.

4. It has intelligent roots, serving to build up certainties or standard.

2.5 Content Analysis

The most widely used qualitative research method is content analysis. It is not just a single method; rather it uses current applications through distinct approaches. The three approaches are conventional, directive and summative. It interprets meaning from the content of the text data and formulates the research answer. In conventional content analysis, coding categories are derived directly from the text data. With a directed approach, analysis starts with a theory or relevant research findings as guidance for initial codes. A summative content analysis involves counting and comparisons, usually of keywords or content, followed by the interpretation of the underlying context. The major differences among the approaches are coding schemes, origins of codes, and threats to trustworthiness. The content analysis investigates the scientific way to deal with study the substance of communication. It alludes to the implications, settings and expectations that is submerged in the messages. Content characterizes the message that is contained and the examination mulls over the contained message. It serves to reach inductions and determinations about the substance. ‘The research method that is employed in the topic is Qualitative Content Analysis. The topic deals with the portrayal of African

Americans in Hollywood movies. Here Representation refers to the building in any medium which portrays the aspects of reality and would be studying on some parameters to be taken while watching the movie. Such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities and other abstract concepts. So the apt methodology for executing this research is qualitative content analysis. The researcher will analyze 8 different movies and will study on the genre, characters, how the blacks are portrayed in the films, whether the film was hit, critically acclaimed their monetary collections and etc. here all the works done will be qualitative. Movies from the time period of 2005-2013 will be taken.

2.6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Content Analysis

Content analysis is a promptly comprehended, modest exploration technique. It is inconspicuous, and it doesn't oblige contact with individuals. One can learn much around a media generation's strategies, target group of onlookers, governmental issues, and financial backing. Content analysis turns into an all the more capable instrument when joined with other research techniques, for example, meetings, observations, and utilization of archival records. It is extremely helpful for breaking down historical material, particularly for archiving patterns over the long run. Building up reliability is simple and direct. Of all the examination strategies, content analysis most astounding without hardly lifting a finger of replication. Typically the materials can be made accessible for others to utilize. Content analysis is an absolutely illustrative strategy. It portrays what is there, yet may not uncover the fundamental thought processes in the watched pattern. The analysis is constrained by accessibility of material. By observing trends in media may not be an exact impression of reality; for instance, disastrous occasions get more scope than less emotional events.

2.7 Types of Interview to be done

Expert Interview Interviews are more suitable for inquiries that oblige examining to get satisfactory data. The utilization of interviews to question individuals is an extremely adaptable device with a wide range of utilization. There are three sorts of Interview. Structured Interview- Standardized inquiries read out by the questioner as indicated by a meeting calendar. Answers may be a shut organization.

Unstructured Interview- an adaptable configuration, generally in light of an inquiry manage however where the arrangement remains the decision of the questioner, who can permit the meeting to drift with a specific end goal to get bits of knowledge into the mentality of the interviewee. No shut arrangement questions. Semi – structured Interview- it is one that contains organized and unorganized with institutionalized and open sort questions. Focus group Discussions can be seen as a sort of gathering meeting, however one that has a tendency to focus top to bottom on a specific topic or theme with a component of cooperation. The researcher has proposed to embrace Expert Interview and focus group discussion with an arrangement of core interest. The Interview example will be face- to face which can be done in a mixture of circumstances. Telephonic meetings will likewise be connected in the event that where the specialists are definitely not accessible for a face – to face meeting. The specialists for the interviews are picked on the premise of their experience. For the face to – face meeting, camera recorder or audio recorder, Note book and pen will be taken. If this won’t be possible then the communications can be done via E-mail and telephone.

2.8 Objectives to be taken for study

Objectives to be taken for this study will be on basis of the movie. The researcher attempts to understand that how the Blacks are portrayed in the big screens. The following are the research objectives:  To deconstruct and theorize the portrayal pattern of Blacks through the following research parameters:  Characterization as shown in the movie the antagonist or the protagonist and what their basic character traits are.  Plot  Characteristic role.  Characteristic relationship and perseverance in the society (as portrayed).  Setting (socio-economic-political type)  Costume.  The relationship between the lead- White and Black Characters.

 The Box Office response. The distinctive techniques for Research are Quantitative and Qualitative. Quantitative Research measures the attributes in a Quantitative way and Qualitative Research goes for Comprehension the foundation longings and intentions. Quantitative analysis is possible through gathering of information through review, investigating variables and data generation information era through the development of an unbelievable domain. Qualitative Research is imperative on the grounds that it goes for comprehension the thought processes that characterizes the human conduct. Attitude, opinions and conduct can be surveyed subjectively through Qualitative examination. Qualitative analysis utilizes projective methods and in depth interviews to do the research.

Chapter 3

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Review of literature is a very important part of a research study. It is necessary to understand what we mean by review of literature and the need for literature for the dissertation. Literature review does not simply involve reviewing and critically analyzing articles published in the editorial and review sections of newspapers or books but involves reviewing and critically evaluating research literature. From Blackface to Blaxploitation: In the 1970s the blended sack of chances open to African American on-screen characters, administrators, creators, and producers continued developing. The films from this decade, whether they were action, dramatization, show, story, ghastliness or opinion, gave Black crowd new and multifaceted depictions of the Black gathering. All in all, the courses in which the film business has portrayed African Americans over the bigger piece of the twentieth century have propelled in a more positive bearing; eventually, these delineations have continued being battled with questionable pictures and banality message. ( From Blackface to Blaxploitation: Representations of African Americans in Film) Poverty & Prejudice: Media and Race: 1915 is a huge date in movie history on the grounds that D.W. Griffith made The Birth of a Nation, which bolstered the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist gathering based predominately in the southern United States, and is potentially the most hostile to dark film ever constructed. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) worked hard to attempt to boycott the film because of its horrendous depiction of blacks as subhuman contrasted with the celebrated Ku Klux Klan. The Birth of a Nation was vital in light of the fact that it prompted the making of another industry that created "race movies" for African-Americans. (Yurii Horton) Stereotyping as a Method of Exploitation in Film:

Clarifies how the greater part race will utilize stereotyping to hold down a minority race, how this stereotyping was utilized as a part of the films of yesterday and is being utilized as a part of the motion pictures of today, and what dark individuals

Must do to free themselves of this stereotyping, it even tell us about what is the problem within the society and why Blacks were ignored in the past films and today Blacks are blooming up in the Hollywood industry. (Alexander) The Black Press: In an isolated society in which dark researchers, journalists, and craftsmen could discover couple of approaches to achieve a group of people, news-casting was a method for scattering data to groups all through the United States. The dark press has offered sharp scrutinizes of such issues as bigotry, distinguish, class, and financial shamefulness, yet that commitment to open talk has remained to a great extent unrecognized up to this point. The first articles in this volume expand our essay of "people in common circle" and show how less voices which are hereby endeavored to the circles of civil argument and difference that existed in their time. The Black Press advances sequentially from bondage to the effect and ramifications of the Internet to uncover how the press' substance and its extremely frame changed with advancing recorded and social conditions in America. The principal papers battled for rights with the expectation of complimentary blacks in the North. The mid twentieth-century dark press looked to characterize itself and its group in the midst of American innovation. Scholars in the 1960s tackled the errand of characterizing insurgency in that decade's age. It was not been until the midst of 21st century that Blacks social study started to attain to more high level of educated respectability. Now the Blacks the even more educated and learned. The Black Press addresses the generation, dispersion, regulation, and gathering of dark news coverage keeping in mind the end goal to outline a more textured open talk, one that trades thoughts inside the dark group, as well as inside the country on the loose. The articles show that the dark press reclassified class, restaged race and nationhood, and reset the terms of open discussion, giving a more full comprehension of African American society, as well as the shifted social fights battled all through our nation's history. (VOGEL) Signifying Ritual: Subverting Stereotypes, Salvaging Icons: It talks about the certain differentiation and stereotyping also salvaging of the important, it explains the painful conditions or problems of being black in America and even how America a huge modern nation looks upon the Black community now.. (Euell) The Power of Black Magic, The Magical Negro and White Salvation in Film:

Feature Films an "enchanted" or significantly talented Black lead character have been released for quite a while, and the example continues developing in noticeable quality. At first case, presenting the Black and White lead parts in the path seems to give tests of Black and White characters relating to each other in a superior conceivable manner; in any case, a closer examination of these coordinated efforts proposes a reconsideration of old Black speculations rather than sound racial agreeableness. Using a printed examination of eight picked films: the Matrix set of three—The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions, The Green Mile, Bringing Down the House and Bruce Almighty, this study formalizes an importance of the puzzling Negro and chooses how these depictions rethink standard Black speculations of mammy, jezebel, and Uncle Tom. This study ponders the brain boggling nature of the delineation and affirmation of Blacks in contemporary times in light of the fact that these parts may combine confined headway with for the most part supremacist speculation. (cerise l glenn) Indians in the Movies: A Selected Checklist The power of movies and TV got down to business on how we use to take a perceptions at the observations over the span of century. On how the American individuals anticipated the universe of Indians or Native Americans. Movies had depicted them in all senses and it has been demonstrated as a great device for transmission of social values and even have a harmful impact on the propagation of minority generalizations. Also how Native American were looked upon by the invaders and how they posed as a threat to whole community. What sidelined them apart from. Their own land and how their population went on for decrease and affected the whole community. (Indians in the Movies: A Selected Checklist, 1980) Organizing the Black Community in the San Francisco Bay Area 1915-1930: In the midst of the early numerous years of the twentieth century, the dim gathering in the San Francisco Bay Area drove a long and sharp fight to expand political and social balance. In a city that had clearly ascended as the fundamental West Coast cash related, business, and social center, whose cosmopolitan and liberal reputation pulled in a different group of racial and ethnic get-togethers, dull Americans found themselves saved as an unremarkable class and their lives constrained to the city's edge flourishing money related and social improvement. Obliged to rely on their own advantages, blacks attempted to add to an effective activity assembling, a suitable institutional structure, and element question affiliations. Through a movement of associations, beginning in

1915 with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and conclusion in the late 1920s with the Universal Negro Change Association (UNIA), blacks succeeded in getting status, affiliation, and a level of effect in their gatherings. Dim pioneers served apprenticeships within these affiliations and depended on them for information, reinforce, and organizations. (Broussard, 1981) Film as a Medium to Study the Twentieth-Century Afro-American Experience: The inspiration driving this Journal is triple: above all else, to enable the aggregation and energize the spread of facts about the training of Black people; second, to present examinations including segregating assessments of the recommendation and chips away at relating to the guidelines of Black individuals; third, to stimulate and supporter examinations of issues scene to the preparation of Black people. Afro- American experience and the diverse interpretations, both white and dim, that contain the field's historiography. Film not simply teaches the verifiable background of blacks in America, be that as it may it in like manner lights up the air of conclusion in the country at the film's season creation. Thus, understudies develop a separating ability to examine film for its recorded authenticity, while remaining alert to any racial inclination that may impact a boss' hand. Rather than simply being presented one author's point of view, as set down in a course book study, understudies are offered diverse interpretations, instructed to be aware of the race situation in the country at the film's season release, and requested to assess the certified nature from the Afro-American experience. (Marshall Hyatt, 1984) Ronald Reagan and the Struggle for Black Dignity in Cinema, 1937-1953: Neo-tyranny had every one of the reserves of being on the ascending in the United States amidst the late spring of 1946, press reports about undermining to diminish and against Semitic get-togethers expanded prominently over the before year, and the FBI meandered up its examination of the Ku Klux Klan. In southern California, the state lawful consultant general, Robert Kenny, got reports of viciousness: "Blacks have been beaten, singing crosses have been impacted, synagogues have been hurt, signs and photos of the Klan have showed up in minority gathering neighborhood. In the midst of Reagan's first decade and a half as a film on-screen character, he joined with two or three affiliations that struck racial division: Warner Brothers, the Army Air Power, the Hollywood-Beverly Christian Church, the American Veterans Committee, the Americans for Democratic Action, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In any case, "Operation Terror" implied the high exhibit in his vitality battle unyielding through

17 such left-wing get-together as Assembly for Democracy and HICCASP. As Hollywood went under assault amidst the late 1940s for harboring communists, he pulled over from those parties that pushed powerfully for Social opportunities. He worked most feasibly for entertainers of shading through the Screen Actors Guild, where he served five dynamic one-year terms as president some place around 1947 and 1952. (Vaughn, 2002) The Black Person in Art: How Should S/He Be Portrayed? (Part II): It was the way diverse artistic individuals reacted on being posed a few questions with respect to Black Person in a wide range of expressions like painting, dramatization, and motion pictures and so on. Essentially Henry louis Gates who feel that Du Bois' inquiries were still opportune and that it is advantageous to rethink both the inquiries and the issues which advance from them-and, maybe, to produce some new inquiries. (Henry Louis Gates, 1987) The African-American image in American cinema: Political conditions have impacted the screen pictures of U.S. silver screen, and the pictures of African Americans have reflected winning social generalizations. The historical backdrop of African-American representation in movies is followed, and it is noticed that the inclination to depict African Americans characteristically has not changed. It focuses on the political background of more influential lists where some consider that rise in Blacks political arena also made them enter into the field of arts. (Bourne, 1990) Scripted Curriculum: What Movies Teach about Dis/ability and Black Males Tropes of disability in the motion pictures and expert stories of Black guys in training and society are commonly treated in confinement. Besides, instruction research on Hollywood motion pictures has ordinarily centered on depictions of schools, principals, and educators despite the fact that training experts are presented to a more extensive scope of motion pictures. Examinations of dis/capacity tropes in the media likewise have a tendency to disregard how they function in products and converge with accounts of other social characters, for example, race and sex. Center of Study: This article looks at the many-sided quality of depictions of Black (dis/abled) guys that are scripted through dis/capacity tropes and expert stories of race and sex. Patterns in these depictions are compared with writing on how Black, (dis/abled) male understudies are dealt with in schools and society. (Agosto, 2014) American Media Domination and Audience Preference: A 60-Year Perspective.

The open deliberation over American strength of broad communications fares increased new force in the late 1980s, when the European Community moved toward confining the quantity of TV projects imported from non-European nations. Examination proposes that Europeans appreciate American TV projects, for example, Dallas in light of the fact that the arrangement epitomize fundamental myths and let viewers relate to characters. Investigations of East Indian viewer's thankfulness for Hollywood movies ascribe the movies' prevalence to their diversion esteem, the chance to find out about Western life, and the movies' prevalence over their Indian partners. In Britain, the fame of American motion pictures has been ascribed to the American accentuation on the young and common laborers estimations of valor, crafty, and good fortune. American control of the world film industry started in the 1920s, as the American motion picture dwarfed different imports and residential movies in many nations. Some European nations restricted American film imports, referring to monetary and social reasons. American scholars clarified the prevalence of United States movies by referring to Hollywood's extravagant generation spending plans. (Bjork, 1991) Migration, Ethnicity, and Interactions between the United States and Hispanic Caribbean Popular Culture Likely the most crucial musical enunciations of contemporary popular society jazz, salsa, and hip-bounce, among others—made from relentless and genuine relationship between Hispanic Caribbean and U.S. Afro-American socio social methods, sustained phenomenally by wonders joined with urban development. The chronicled background of these affiliations raises question About the standard bipolar interpretation of social relations between Latin America and the United States and solicitations a transnational revaluation of heterogeneity (Breña, 2007) Blacks, Loyalty, and Motion-Picture propaganda in World War II: Dissects the racial parts of the U.S. Office of War Information's (OWI) purposeful publicity crusade, especially its contact with Hollywood film studios. Endeavors to enroll Afro-Americans' bolster; Information on how the OWI wanted to persuade Afro- Americans that World War II was their battle; Films referred to for solid Afro-American characters; Benefits of the mediation of OWI in racial topics. (Koppes & Black, 1986).

Naturalizing Racial Differences through Comedy: Asian, Black, and White Views on Racial Stereotypes in Rush Hour 2: In this paper, we analyze the ideological ramifications of racial generalizations in comic drama through a literary and gathering of people investigation of Rush Hour 2. In spite of the fact that Asian, Black, and White center gathering members differentially drew in with racial generalizations in the film, most members, paying little mind to race, discovered the film's racial jokes innocuous. Numerous Asian and Black members discovered a positive wellspring of delight in the negative depictions they could call their own race and did not create oppositional talk. Our study proposes that the nonspecific traditions and printed gadgets of parody urge the gathering of people to naturalize racial contrasts as opposed to challenge racial generalizations. (Ji Hoon Park, 2006) Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People: Live pictures on wide screen and TV go past a thousand words in propagating generalizations and banalities. This article studies over a century of Hollywood's projection of negative pictures of the Arabs and Muslims. In view of the investigation of more than 900 movies, it demonstrates how Moviegoers are persuaded that all Arabs are Muslims and all Muslims are Arabs. The moviemakers' twisted lenses have indicated Arabs as cutthroat, merciless, savage, religious fan through basic delineations of Arabs grabbing or assaulting a reasonable lady; communicating scorn against the Jews and Christians; and exhibiting an adoration for riches and influence. The article analyzes the snare's generalization nosed Arab with a comparative delineation of Jews in Nazi promulgation materials. Just five percent of Arab film parts portray typical, human characters. (Shaheen) Television Portrayals and African-American Stereotypes: Examination of Television Effects when Direct Contact is lacking. A self-directed study survey disseminated to Japanese universal (n = 83) and White (n = 166) understudies measured generalizations of African Americans and vicarious contact (TV) variables. Results upheld procedure situated learning models of conduct, however not a combined impact model of development. The study exhibited that the media could influence one's impression of different races and further proposed that impacts of broad communications are more critical when direct data is restricted. Ramifications of a powerful part of TV in generalization arrangement were likewise talked about. (fujioka)

Charles Burnett Designer of African American Culture on Film: Charles Burnett, reward winning maker and scriptwriter, makes pictures in motion picture shape that reflect African American culture. Burnett's motion pictures compliment the Black common and certify that African American life is ordinarily rich with tradition, yet uncommon and splendid. his movies describes how characters, were segregating analyzed to choose how his use of inventive plots, verbal imagery, and African American social traditions serve to portray sensible pictures of African American life on screen. It is clear the photos he makes emanate from his experiences, not those made and maintained by the Hollywood studio structure. He is a gifted depicts and stays steady with the free's standards film improvement, "The L.A. Resistance.” (Merritt) Always a Partner in Crime: Black Masculinity in the Hollywood Detective Film: The author investigates the representation of dark manliness in the analyst film, and how Hollywood utilizes different methodologies to contain dark manliness and sexuality. Likewise investigated is the dark's movement analyst as a mate to a white saint in the 1980s to his having a pal he could call his own—a white lady—in contemporary movie. (gates, 2010) African Americans in Cinema: The First Half Century: The legacy of African American filmmaking and race motion pictures of the first a large portion of the twentieth century is rich with ability and inventiveness, however a large number of the accomplishments of right on time African American performing artists, on-screen characters, and movie producers are about overlooked today. The most punctual pictures of African Americans in movies were only cliché and disparaging. Numerous dissented these scenes of blacks taking an interest in watermelon eating challenges or taking chickens and additionally white on-screen characters performing in dark face, however without much of any result. The film business was only white-keep running until the 1910s when African American film organizations and movie producers started to show up. Maybe the first dark movie producer, William Foster, established the Foster Photoplay Company and created various movies, for the most part come bites the dust, for example, The Railroad Porter (1913) and The Fall Guy (1913). These movies included every single dark cast and exhibited them in a positive light, yet this was still a long way from the standard in movies. The year 1915 imprints the arrival of what has turned into the most famous film ever, D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915). With its harmfully supremacist

21 subject and pictures, The Birth of a Nation started a lot of shock inside of the African American group. Various movies showed up in challenge, for example, Birth of a Race (1918) and Oscar Micheaux's Within Our Gates (1919), which introduced African Americans in non-stereotypical roles (Heyde, 2003) Conservative Implications of the Irrelevance of Racism in Contemporary African American Cinema: Verifiably, African American silver screen has been utilized to light up the scourge of bigotry in American culture. From Oscar Micheaux to Spike Lee, the battle against prejudice has been an unmistakable topic in films by and about African Americans. It is unexpected that since the 1990s, when more Black producers than any time in recent memory have come to unmistakable quality in Hollywood, race and bigotry have essentially stopped to be significant subjects, and the few movies that do address prejudice have fared gravely in the cinematic world, even among youthful Blacks. Why has this happened? There are a few variables at work. One is the careful way of the film business itself concerning dubious, socially cognizant motion pictures. Be that as it may, maybe more critical is a developing conservatism among some youthful Blacks and a developing misery among others that lead them to mark down the significance of facing prejudice in contemporary society. (Sheridan, 2006) African American Extras in Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s: The 1920s' decade was the most punctual period in which records were given on African Americans working in white Hollywood. Amid this decade a Central Casting Bureau office was set up as a business office to place performers and to check the developing number of reports that additional items were being misused because of the easygoing way of their work and harsh occupation hones. Be that as it may, while the quantity of African-American performing artists working in white Hollywood expanded, the parts doled out to them as a general rule restricted them to the status of additional items. Indeed, white Hollywood in the pre-1950 period used the screen to transfigure its development of race, to extend its own ideological complexities with respect to racial otherness, and to change an interminable assortment of representations considered racially distinctive representations that as a general rule were parodic developments and that were showed in the African-American additional items' screen representation. The expanded perceivability that African American additional items got constrained the

22 dark press to expect a guard dog part in writing about those film studios. (Regester, 1997) Black-Audience Westerns and the Politics of Cultural Identification in the 1930s This article contends that the dark gathering of people musical westerns of the late 1930s endeavored to reconfigure African American national personality in their throwing additionally by deliberately utilizing chronological error and land juxtaposition. These westerns made a double present by utilizing the figure of speech of contemporary Harlem close by the nineteenth-century setting, in this way incidentally reverberating the western expansionist development in a realistic African American West. (Leyda, 2002)

Chapter 4

ANALYSIS

4.1 Pursuit of Happyness

Directed by Gabriele Muccino and written by Steven Conrad. Released in December 15th 2006. The movie Pursuit of Happyness is a simple movie about the middle class father and son who struggles every day to see smile in his son’s face. His real life son Jaden Smith plays a vital role. The critics have appreciated this movie a lot since lots of emotions and feelings are expressed in this movie. It is story of Chris Gardener who lives in San Francisco is a very simple man who sells a medical device for his living. The whole movie shows the struggle on how he wanted to earn better and make a proper living for his son. Though it was very difficult for him in raising his son and making him smile but he managed to keep him happy all the time. Gardener defines his life into chapters. His various phases in his life his struggles, happiness and many expressions pay. Till last the protagonist tried his level best and he succeeded in getting the job.

Figure 1 Chris Gardener with his son The movie also shows his struggle as an intern which he got when he required the money most. His job and his family and how he balanced both. His only happiness is how to make a bright career for his son. How far can father reach for taking care of his son? Also the movie portrays on their living standards on how Will Smith’s wife earned for the living and supported the family and how the father survived on just

24 selling the medical device. His wife also abandons him and leave for better opportunity, he takes care of his son to the level best, his salary was not enough to even take care of both of them and even he is thrown out of his house on failing to pay the rent which led them to live in homeless shelter. Will Smith life as Chris Gardener was very motivating and inspiring. The film revolves around 80’s with his appearance and attire as a normal man. His house is normal middle income group and his house contained the valuables of the normal guy. His car which always receives the parking ticket and towed all the time. His struggles to earn whatever he can and give his son all the necessities and also sending to the crèche. In this midst Chris Gardener loses his interest on his family maintenance, but he struggles to fulfill the wish of his child. His wife abandons him and is forced to survive with his son in living in motel and when the money is exhausted there also he approaches the homeless shelters for living in night. In each journey he learns something very important, he passes through the different phases of life. His friendship with the senior officer of the company and way he interacted had landed him a better job. Early he was working as an intern in the same office where he worked without the pay, but there was a normal clause made that after working as an intern and appearing for a test he might land up with a better job and a pay. Till last the protagonist tried his level best and he succeeded in getting the job. Here we can see the various symbols in Gardener’s life.

Figure 2 Gardener love for his son

Firstly his love to his wife Linda, who also love his son but curses his husband in anger. Secondly his life is full of sadness and always is remain gloomy in the situation. Third his struggles for having a complete family together where he fails miserably as a result where Linda also leaves him, his struggles for better earnings and at the end of the film it is seen that Gardener lives happily with his son because he succeeds as a stock broker which he was interning for. His long effort and struggles come to an end. The movie is based on true experience and its typed “happyness” instead of “happiness”. It signifies and symbolizes that the protagonist of the story pursues the happiness in a very difficult situation that makes him change his mind and behavior. So the word “pursue” is used in the movie’s title to focus on Happiness when it is chased in hurry with no time to lose. Pursuit of Happyness focusses on the culture of a common man with lots of ambition in making a better life for his child. His wife leaves him but he himself didn’t lose hope and went on to prove his love for his child. The African American culture has a strong sense of bonding with the kids when it comes to parenthood. It was also found that Chris Gardener son understands his father a lot when he sees his father passing through troubles. His father working like anything just to bring change in his son’s life. From selling his own blood to doing all those odd jobs, Chris Gardener role was one of the most acclaimed one where trouble, hardships, love all can be seen just to bring happiness in his son’s life. Pursuit of Happyness is a true event which took place in 1980’s. The role of Chris Gardener has really brought everyone to its feet. It was one of the most challenging role in Will Smith’s life and audiences has really approved the role of both father and son duo. Basically it was preferred by all age groups and gender. Inspirational movies based on core values is watched by family and elders. It was positively acclaimed movie with lots of positive responses. Will Smith earned nominations for both Academy awards and Golden Globe awards for the best Actor. Relativity Media, Overbrook Entertainment, Escape Entertainment were the production companies for the movie and the entire movie was distributed by Colombia Pictures. The running time for the whole film is 117 minutes. The film Pursuit of Happyness also earned $307,325,633 out of which Domestic B.O collections was 162,586,036 and International B.O was $144,739,597, was the collections from the theatrical performance. And $93,711,327 was only from the Home market performance. (the-numbers, n.d.)

4.2 The Great Debaters

Another movie taken for analysis is The Great Debaters where Denzel Washington plays the role of Dr Melvin Tolson and Forest Whitaker who portrays as James Farmer Sr and it’s a story of how one man goes ahead in Wiley College to inspire the three young debaters named Henry Lowe, Samantha Brooke and James Farmer Jr whose life is transformed into black national heroes with one and only weapon in disguise that is Education. The film overall portrays that in early 20’s and 30’s in America the situation of making the blacks suffer because of the skin colour. Slavery was even more existent during that time but the problem faced at that time was the education given to blacks. Very Less colleges were there in America which would educate the blacks but Wiley College was a perfect example of best Blacks College.

Figure 3 The team of debaters consisting of Henry Lowe & Samantha Brooke Directed and acted by Denzel Washington, and written by The Great Debaters proved to be the movie which 1shed out the light on the problems faced by the Negroes when they were slowly gaining the knowledge and acquiring the equality to survive in the States. This movie talks about the Emancipation were the Blacks Emancipation right out from the difficulties of differentiation they faced is constantly portrayed in the movie. The Introducing scene of a film starts with the narrative voice of James Farmer a well renowned black scholar who always moves for the racial Emancipation of African-American through education. According to him “Education is the way out of ignorance into the glorious light”. It was seen that education was the only mean to fight the unfair and inhumane treatment of Blacks. The whole movie depicts on the Emancipation from the Blacks community which was shaped into idea by Dr Melvin Tolson.

Next is it portrays the problems of Racism.In this movie two races are portrayed that is the Blacks and the Whites. Whites were considered to be the superior race with just of the appearances, whereas the Blacks were looked into inferior way. During those times Whites were dominating everywhere, whether be in the colleges, unions and even those Whites who weren’t educated also tortured and poked fun at the educated Blacks.

Figure 4 Denzel Washington as Melvin Tolson guiding the young Debaters This is a true story which focusses on the Wiley College, the only Black college in whole America and how Black students are motivated to work hard and earn their name. And this was the first Black college which marked its name in America by winning the all college debates. This differences has resulted in problems such as open executions of black, more superiority of white’s people over Blacks. The racism could be followed in the real and life and history as it was said that the racism debate was projected in the first white school. There was a separate distinction between the Blacks and White were there. Even in the course of movie it was seen that when Samantha was delivering his speech in the university many Whites started leaving the place. The films shows the problems Blacks were facing during this period and draws out the issue of separate schools and colleges for White and Blacks, even Slavery and the lynching of the Blacks. The other issue of Injustice. Which was on rise during the time and injustice is shown when during the disruption and assault by Southern Tenants Union led by the sheriff and his officers who didn’t like any form of discourage to Government opposition. Even the arrest of Dr Melvin was also not proved to be true against the proof presented to the Sheriff. Howsoever the whole team witnessed the lynching of a black man in Texas and also attempted assault on Tolson and his debaters by the Whites which proved to be injustice presented to the Blacks.

Figure 5 Melvin’s speech to his students The Great Debaters also projects on Determination where the three Debaters under the guidance of Dr Melvin Tolson has achieved their knowledge to its own height, the way Tolson shaped them in debating in any matters. Their determination can be seen when they lose in Howard University, their relentless help from Dr Tolson has really made it possible for the three debaters to execute their knowledge freely that they went to Harvard for the debate. Even the love Between Henry Lowe and Samantha can be seen. And also of Tolson and his loving and his caring attitude towards the three debaters. The debaters hope to succeed was also very important. Where after a major loss in debate with Howard University has put more value for showdown against Harvard University. Movie projected on the causes and effects when James Farmer Jr witnesses the assault on union workers where all of them were charged by Sheriff, this really impacted him and a brought a change of answers and demanding of revolution against this agitation. Even the gory sight when the three debaters together with Dr Tolson witnesses the lynching of the black man could have brought down the hard work and spirit of the debaters. Even the arrest of Tolson could also result in a severe trifle between the Sheriff’s and Blacks. And because of Tolson last moment back out proved to be victorious for Wiley College. At last Tolson didn’t even write the last letter for their debate, they were let down on their own. The appearances and the set up shown in the movie is very simple and easy to understand. Background story of late 20’s and early 30’s, the clothes which they wore is similar to what is wore by the people of early America. The early Blacks never ever came face to face with the whites, even the educated Black wouldn’t dare to argue with the Whites. Whites were dominant in whole America. In Great Debaters it pulled of pretty well by portraying the other side of Blacks in the society apart from the slavery. It focused on the matter which were really meaningful and also

29 showed that how Blacks has changed their perspective from working or slaving in the field to gaining knowledge in school and colleges. This showed how Education has changed the lifestyle and manners of the Blacks. Whole movie deals with Education as rightful mean of bringing or starting the revolt instead of fight. The Great Debaters is an inspirational movie with lots of elements of racial problems and how the Blacks faces the problem still if they are educated. How their appearances silences them in front of all uneducated Whites. Movie portrays the suffering and violence that a particular community has to pass through every time when it comes to any problems. This a true story with all the events happening even the events happening in Wiley College is also true. A first African American college in U.S which provided the opportunity of learning to all the Blacks. This movie has been preferred by all and it didn’t do well in the Box Office. The movie caught the attention of the all age groups and gender since it’s an inspirational movie. Harpo Productions was the production company for the movie and the running time of the whole movie is 126 minutes and it was released on December 25th 2007. The great Debaters earned $30,261,293 in all the theatres out of which in Domestic market it earned somewhat around $30,226,144 and internationally it was a big disaster where it was major flop and it was able to earn $35,149. According to home market performance with its DVD video sales it managed to touch $24,441,834 overall. (the-numbers/Great Debaters, n.d.)

4.3 Django Unchained

Django Unchained is the 2011 movie directed and written by Quentin Tarintino is set up in western style movie related to the slavery problems in early America. The way Whites use to treat the blacks in every possible way by making them work in the poppy fields and farms or use them as the domestic helps. Americans way of treating them was very worse some would even make them fight with each other as entertainment purpose. This movie projects on how Django (Jamie Foxx) a slave is taken to be sold but he somehow comes together with Dr Schultz (Christoph Waltz) who is German ex-dentist and a bounty hunter. Both of them set on the mission to find someone related to crime and get him dead or alive. Django gets to know his wife has been kidnapped and made slave in Calvin J Candie (Leonardo Di Caprio) villa. This film portrays the dark side of America which were ruled by the Whites and all the Blacks were treated in very harsh and brutal way Quentin.

Figure 6 One of the close up shot by Quentin Tarentino has projected this slavery issue with a dark and comedy slapstick work, with amount of blood and violence the whole movie has portrayed the slavery in America on how it exploited the particular community. The racial slur and the beatings the Blacks use to receive just because of their skin color and none of the Whites were concerned about their feelings and emotions. Even this movie projected the problems of Blacks cannot ride a horse which was considered superior only meant to be ridden by Whites. Normally all the Tarentino’s movie consists of bloodshed and violence, guns and explosives are common, criminal ambiguity will always be there, Tarentino’s way of making the movie is totally different. He establishes a quick relation with his story and actor’s performance. Whatever we get to see from his earlier movies such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill both the series, Reservoir Dogs and many more, the amount of violence shown in his movie is preferred by audiences. The film has played even much better with the camera movements and lighting it has been seen that the way his movie projects violence is totally different with lots of effects and reality added to it. The gunshots, bombs exploding, the revenge and many more. The languages and gestures used in the movie has also contributed to its effort of success. The slangs and the gestures as shown in the movie has somewhat the rowdy influence, the fight, brawl and the slangs. The movie focusses more of the issue of slavery which prevailed during the formation of early America and it also shows the problems and violence the blacks used to face and how the whites use to treat them. From making them work in the fields, domestic helps, trafficking and making two black people fight where one has to kill of another as the form of white entertainment. Tarentino’s whole perception of the movie is all about the sufferings faced by the Blacks. Whole movie focuses on how Blacks were meant with their fate when they are caught disobeying their masters.

Figure 7 Schultz and Django on their mission Django Unchained plot can be segregated into three acts:  Django’s Revenge for his wife.  Schultz’s journey as Bounty hunter and  Django’s Journey into his own freedom. Here Django’s revenge is fulfilled when he kills the three brothers who separated his wife and sold him to others. Schultz’s killing all those people whom he has been ordered to. The film has more disturbing visual or graphic content since the gun fired can be seen killing many people not just that blood is everywhere in the movie. With the scene of a slave being torn apart by dogs, the slaves are made to fight with each other. The graphic visualization between the types of violence gave a look between the Schultz’s mysterious “personas”. Schultz’s persona of bounty hunter has changed the perception of Django’s behavior. The movie also focuses on Calvin Candie who is looked as a gentleman but is basically a dissonance, his way of clothing and living The life of a perfect person but inside he is contrasted with some dark and ugly personality. He might be considered as villain but it’s up to one mind how to perceive it. The way Schultz’s kills Calvin at end.

Figure 8 Candie's violent question

Figure 9 Candie asking Django the motive of his visit Candie demise is Schultz’s peak of juxtaposition and his turning point wherever. Here he is projected to both antagonist and protagonist. He is considered as a villain for killing a man who did nothing but is considered for striking down the film’s “Antagonist”. Django while just looking at this learnt lot of things, in front of him how Schultz was killed and how he was taken as prisoner. Now without Schultz Django is a free person with liberty and fastest gun in the west. His Black characterization has improved his impression on others also. The way he unites back with his wife and destroys the home of Calvin at the end signifies that Django has become the other face of Schultz. This movie dealt with the problem faced by all the blacks though presented in a spaghetti western way with lots of violence and humor but it aimed at an important issues of slavery and racial discrimination. On how the Blacks were sold and purchased just for personal benefits that is by making them work in fields, prostitution and some sorts of entertainment which the Whites can enjoy.

Figure 10 Schultz explaining Django about the killing to be done The characterizations role are very simple and in the movie with normal kind of dressing, habits and everything which were prevalent during 17th and 18th century. It showed how America was rising amidst all these problems. The Whites wore the perfect dresses and are always dressed tip to toe in all clean and new clothes well for blacks it was bare body with only pants and no shirts. Whatever they were made to work topless or would wear torn clothes. For Django his life changed when he met Schultz who changed the way he use to speak, talk and dress. Django Unchained production and Distribution Company was both Weinstein Company and Colombia Pictures. The running time for the whole movie is 165 minutes. Django Unchained was major commercial and critically acclaimed success and it was nominated for 5 Academy awards. Tarantino won awards for original screenplay at BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Awards. Django Unchained earned total $425,373,688 worldwide just in theatres out of which in Domestic market it earned $162,805,434 and at international it earned $262,568,254. According to the Home market performance it earned $61,365,619 out of which $32,267,804 just from DVD sales and Domestic Bluray sales led to $29,097,815. (the- numbers.com, n.d.)

4.4 The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli was directed by The Hughes Brothers and written by Gary Whitta. Eli's (Denzel Washington) reality is a dry and exhausted one. There's no water, and he strolls through the fiery remains of a spiked spot, where men eat men and the sky's torn in two. Godforsaken, numerous would call this tragic earth. In any case, God is not gone, nor overlooked. For Eli conveys, alongside his gloves and firearms and remorseless, wide sharp edge, something unique. Something consecrated.

Figure 11 Eli’s journey to the West A book. The Book. In the age passed by, Bibles were smoldered by the bushel. They brought on the War that tore a gap through the sky, the individuals said. It's a book of abhorrence, the individuals said. It must be decimated—wiped from the substance of the earth. In any case, they didn't blaze every one of them. Eli discovered one—or it discovered him—and throughout the previous 31 years he's conveyed the thing, ensuring it by day, understanding it by night. He conveys it west, constantly west, where the sun descends from paradise and appears to set upon the ground. Eli's by all account not the only one who knows the force of the Book. In the heart of this dry land, a man named Carnegie (Gary Oldman) has manufactured a fiefdom around a valuable spring. He's a negligible autocrat with an army of heavies and a yen for force. What's more, for a considerable length of time he's been searching for the Book—an apparatus, as he sees it, to unite the frail and foolish, and make him their expert.

Figure 12

Figure 13 Eli's nemesis Carneige who like to read "I grew up with it," Carnegie tells Eli, when he learns Eli is conveying the Book. "I know its energy. Also, in the event that you read it, then so do you." Eli knows. He realizes that Carnegie has slaughtered, and will murder, to get his hands on it. However, Eli likewise knows this current: Carnegie's not getting the Book. Not while Eli still lives.

Figure 14 Eli’s faith kept him alive and in search of quest The reason of Eli bases on the Bible—not pretty much as a book or an object of gigantic social worth, yet as a wellspring of force. There's an unsaid comprehension that this force can be manhandled (Carnegie's egotistical yearning for the book offers voice to Christianity's darker chronicled parts), however we're told, through Eli that the Bible is naturally something to be thankful for. Also, as we watch him read it, contemplate it and ensure it, we better see how valuable its words are. At the point when Eli initially meets Solara, about the first thing he does is show her how to supplicate over a dinner. It's this supplication to God—when Solara tries to rehash it with her mom over breakfast—that tips Carnegie off to the way that Eli must be conveying the Book. He requests that Eli offer it to him, telling Eli that its words are intended to be shared. With the Bible, Carnegie tells Eli, he can help convey light and want to the individuals. "I don't have the right words," he says, "however the Book does."

Figure 15 Town swallowed by grief, disease, no water and dictatorship Carnegie, however, considers Scripture a weapon—a bludgeon to pummel the masses. Eli knows in an unexpected way: We discover that a voice—a voice he takes for God's—drove him to the Book and instructed him to take it west, and that he'd be

37 ensured along the way. What's more, it does create the impression that the hand of God is on Eli: He escapes from unspeakably unsafe scratches and when some of Carnegie's men shoot at him, the shots miss—something that bewilders Carnegie's head colleague, Redridge. "It's similar to he's secured in some way or Another," Redridge tells Carnegie. Carnegie doesn't trust it and, when he catches both Eli and Solara, he appears to demonstrate his point. "God is great, is He not?" Carnegie says, as Eli bows in the soil. "Constantly," Eli says. "Not constantly," Carnegie answers, shooting Eli in the gut. Carnegie takes the Bible back to town. Be that as it may, when he airs out the catch that holds it shut, he finds that it’s written in Braille. Eli, who talks at one crossroads about how he strolls by confidence, not by sight, is visually impaired. Eli survives the shot and advances west with Solara's assistance. What's more, they discover a pocket of progress squatted in Alcatraz—a reverberation of the cloisters that outlasted the Dark Ages. To the occupants there, Eli discusses the Bible verse by verse, line by line, while somebody translates it. The similitudes here are numerous and they paint strong pictures of how Eli's visual impairment changes his confidence, how the pages of a Braille Scripture were futile to somebody like Carnegie, how Eli concealed the Word. And The Book of Eli makes viewers think about what that resembles: In this distressing, post-prophetically catastrophic world, there's little remunerate for goodness. Eli steps down dusty streets like the instrument of a furious god. He can and does downpour down wicked equity on a wayward individuals. In spite of his conspicuous energy to take both what he needs and needs, however, Eli frequently demonstrates both limitation and beauty to those he runs over. He bargains for products, paying the extravagant costs inquired. At the point when a lady is sent to entice Eli, he disregards her advances and rather inquires as to whether she'd like to share his supper. What's more, he generally, dependably cautions aggressors to back off. Eli seeks after what he accepts to be his God-given journey with resolute determination—in itself an excellent quality. Yet, when compelled to settle on a fierce choice—whether to give up the Book or recovery the life of Solara, a young lady who's fallen into his consideration—he decides to spare the last, gambling demise for her purpose. He discloses his choice to Solara later, conceding he didn't generally carry on so honorably: After 31 years perusing the Bible, "I neglected to live by what I realized from it," he advises her. "Accomplish for others more than you accomplish for yourself. That is the thing that I received in return, at any rate." Different characters show flashes of ethicalness. Solara salvages Eli from guaranteed passing, and once both of them

38 achieve asylum, Solara chooses to do a reversal to Carnegie's rebel town—holding on for her, apparently, God's uplifting news. Solara's mom obviously cherishes her tyke and declines to help Carnegie abuse the Bible. Whole movie focuses on the apocalyptic scenario where water and knowledge plays a vital part in the movie. Eli taking Bible for printing since all the spiritual books are printed in one place. His journey in this post-apocalyptic was severe. The book which he was taking was his ultimate Aim. On top of that the concluding scene projects that Eli was blind and had been following his conscience. His whole journey was planned and based on conscience which he was following for 30 years. Finally when he reaches the place amidst lots of tension and violence. This movie features the dark side of world which sticks to cannibalism and violence. Alcon Entertainment and Silver Pictures were the major producing company for the movie and Warner Bros Pictures and Summit Entertainment were the major distributors. The running time of this movie is 117 minutes. The Book of Eli was not major success, it received mixed reviews from the critics. It earned $158,750,817 from whole theatres worldwide and Home market performance was $60,878,254.

Chapter 5

SECONDARY FINDINGS

Journals and data have been checked. There are some sites which helped in collection of data such as:  American Black Film Festival  http://www.blackpast.org/multimedia/Multimedia_Historical_Films_AAH Even from the earlier reference movie and documentaries such as:  Birth of the Nation.  Ethnic Notions directed by Marlon Riggs in 1987.  Malcolm X Directed by Spike Lee

5.1 American Black Film Festival

American Black Film Festival also called as Acalpulco Black Film Festival is an independent film festival which stresses on the works like acting, directing, writing by the Blacks members of the whole cinema world. Started by Jeff Friday, Byron E.Lewis and Warrinton Hudlin in June 1997 originally called that time as Acapulco Black Film Festival later changed to ABFF in 2002. The basic aim of the founders were to create a forum for the people belonging from Black Hollywood that could come under one and collaborate or work with the other Black personalities. What Jeff Friday felt that all the Blacks are cut down from the private Party referred to as the Hollywood. The Blacks don’t have access to information, decision making and not in a situation to give a go to the project. Earlier the Oscars use to drop the Blacks members from the cinema where in 1980 two Black actors won the Academy awards for acting category. That time the founders of ABFF came together and formed an alliance that rather than spending time and efforts in boycotting the Academy Awards why not they hold a awards ceremony of their own by celebrating achievements of the blacks and that is how this ABFF was born. Here the idea is taken basically in making of the Hollywood films. The full length feature films, short films, documentaries by all the famous Black actors, directors,

actors and actresses is considered and this Film festival takes place every year in Miami Beach. Black film industry is given the opportunity to showcase their talents. Since the Hollywood awards are ruled by the major actors, blacks considered that they are not given the opportunity to showcase their talents. ABFF provides the platform for all the Blacks and it is considered as one of the most highlighted events for all the Blacks worldwide. Various entertainment and production houses. Certain famous persons who is in the advisory boards of ABFF are run by the various Blacks personalities. Various Blacks such as:  Will Packer who is the Founder and the producer also runs Will Packer Productions.  Rob Hardy who is the Co-Founder from Rainforest Films.  Jeff Clanagan, President and CEO OF Codeblack Entertainment. The ABFF has five programming Initiatives which the whole ABFF is dependent on:  Access to the cinema Industry where one can meet the upcoming Filmmakers and producers.  Collaboration to work together between the members of the Black cinema industry which can strengthen the whole Black film industry as whole.  Recognition is given to independent Black film makers for their distinguishing work.  Education and knowledge helps in promoting to teach and shape up the skills of Blacks in the film and it also gives an idea of how blacks can contribute to the films and documentaries.  Artistic expression through the work of films and leaving the people with the idea and perception about the film. The blacks are given preferences.

5.2 Birth of the Nation

The unequivocal prejudice of The Birth of a Nation incited enormous reactions from people and associations the nation over. At an opportune time in the film's yearlong New York City run, the NAACP succeeded in constraining Griffith to cut a couple of the most questionable scenes. One of these scenes depicts dark men as savages controlled by bestial desire, sexually ambushing white ladies. Another

41 delineates Gus' mutilation, his discipline for longing for a white lady. The other extracted component was a coda proffering the unparalleled answer for America's strife: to oust all dark Americans back to Africa.

Figure 16 Poster of the Birth of a Nation The NAACP assembled challenges even before generation on the film was finished. The Los Angeles branch required the film to be banned in the city. Picket lines reliably framed every day in New York City, yet the film still raked in colossal benefits in the cinematic world, utilizing held seating rather than general admission to make an "occasion" air around the discharge. Not long after the film's debut, extremist Jane Addams discharged a meeting in New York daily papers in which she fervently dissented the depiction of African Americans in The Birth of a Nation. While the entire film decries African Americans and valorizes the Ku Klux Klan, certain scenes rise for their regrettably irritating portrayals of African Americans. Case in point, dull agents meeting in the South Carolina representing body are seen starting their shoes, sneaking shots of whiskey, straightforwardly gobbling up chicken, and looking at white women when laws pass that allow interracial marriage. In the domain of the film, mulattos are basically wicked, while those with all-dull family have the choice to be either "extraordinary" (i.e., committed to whites) or "dreadful" (i.e., motivated independent from anyone else insurance and parity). At the point when the South loses the Civil War, dissident freed slaves (from time to time portrayed as savages wearing just scraps of attire) gathering up with foul-hearted, forceful Northern whites to absolutely attack the respectable legacy of the poor pedigreed South.

Figure 17 D.W Griffith while filming. Griffith was staggered and significantly hurt by the negative reactions to his film. He truly thought he was kindheartedly performing a not too bad limit for the nation, and various Americans shared his points of view. In light of Addams' all that much propelled publication, he released an "Educational" clarified manual for The Birth of a Nation called The Rise and Fall of Free Speech in America, drawing in on academic classicists to go down his scrutinize, however understudies of history who were known for their supremacist slants and affectability for the circumstance of the South. Griffith was so impacted by the negative response that his next genuine film wander, Intolerance (1916), was considered as a response to his depreciators. Regardless of the way that Griffith continued forward, issues incorporating the film did not.

Figure 18

The Birth of a Nation was re-released in 1924, 1931, and 1938, so it stayed in the brains of film dears and human rights activists for a significant time allotment. Authorities in Hollywood even contemplated patching up it in 1950 and releasing the film on TV as late as 1959. Each imaginative re-release was met with another round of pickets and disputes. Clearly, most of this civil argument delivered film industry solicitation, and Griffith would have been a massively rich man had he not sunk his own specific advantages into subsequent motion pictures.

5.3 Civil Rights Development

The Civil Rights development, which roots got hold with uprisings and assembling long going before the 1950s, particularly endorses the change happening in the United States some spot around 1955 and 1965. This advancement was away to invalidate racial separation towards African Americans and giving them normal alter limits. Sooner or later starting late the weight of equivalent rights, blacks were coherently manhandled; they had no voting rights, their schools, drinking fountains and bathrooms—among other open working environments—were confined from whites, and wantonness against blacks prospered particularly all through the South. Racial weights were not obliged to southern states; they confronted division in unmistakable zones the nation over as well. The game-plan of express, state-got a handle on racial detachment incited the chance to be known as the "Jim Crow" framework, which stayed set up until the 1950s. Under this structure, open working environments and nearby kept up affiliations were to be separated into "white" and "shaded" spaces. They asked for by law division in every single open facilities, with an "other yet measure up to" status for blacks and individuals from other non-white racial parties (Klarman). Overall, those for dull individuals obliged funds and were of substandard quality. Not just did blacks not have social standard, they in like way did not have representation or rights under the law. African-Americans rejected this arrangement of separation and battle back against it. They denied abuse from arranged perspectives and utilized cases, affiliations, political change, and pro's social affairs to stir up some criticalness and stand firm. The making of dull lobbyist parties, for example, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, set up in 1909), Congress of Racial Equality (CORE, set up in 1942), and Individuals United to Save Humanity (PUSH, set up in 1971) all battle for racial consistency also, pushed for frail social open entryways.

The NAACP was one of the first activists parties to structure in the United States; it battled to "end race allotment through case, control, and interfacing with tries," (CRM). Its complete accomplishment was Supreme Court triumph in Brown v. Driving get-together of Education (1954) that rejected separate white and dull valuable structures and along these lines aggravate the "Distinctive yet measure up to" standard. In spite of the way that this choice was a viewpoint in the endeavors towards blend, it didn't go on brief impacts and hence went on frustrations and the onset of conventional resistance. Their amassed surveys and information from the years 1968, 1969 and 1970 into one party, meaning this the "amount of inhabitants in 1970" and studies from 2004, 2005, and 2006 into the group "masses of 2006." These years are material to the discharge years of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and Guess Who (2005), and moreover to the Civil Rights change of the 1960s and the law banning abuse interracial marriage, which was gone in 1967. A United States Census drove inside of the amount of inhabitants in 1970 shows there were 200 million individuals living in the United States amidst this time. Out of this 200 million, 87.6% were white, 11.1% were dull, and the staying 1.4% were individuals of "other" races. A study likewise drove on this party displays that 20% of Americans approval of interracial social unions, yet just 17% of the aggregate individuals of whites felt the same way. Brutal math and inductive aptitudes let me understand that an immense bit of the acknowledging masses was dull and the other half was white.

5.4 The Film industry with Blacks

Near to social solidification, social value stayed to African Americans by the Social flexibilities Act of 1964 and the foundation of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) came the theoretical expansion of work open portals for African Americans. Right when referencing the film business, it is fundamental to see to what degree blacks are fused (or banned) from film period with a specific last target to better understand why movies are made the way they are, and from what perspective they are fabricated. As blacks wind up being more joined into the business, their perspectives and contemplations are pondered screen, as opposed to basically the white person’s point of view. Despite the social's foundation value and the EEO, there remain slips in the degree of white to diminish aces in the film business, particularly in reference to

45 powerful positions. Since film basically copies life and mirrors its point of view upon its social affair of people, it is an astoundingly persuading medium. Film puts into improvement the standards, values, and saw thoughts of its originators and viewers (when in doubt the brain boggling social conviction structure), which thusly strengthens these contemplations by imagining them on the wide screen. "Media have their most basic impact when they are utilized as a bit of a way that strengthens and channels points of view and feelings that are tenacious with the mental magnificence care results of the individual and the social structure of the parties with which he or she sees," which clarifies why early representations of blacks on the silver screen were all around perceived—whites who held these one-sided individual affectation were the standard get-together of onlookers and the initiators The front line American film industry is said by two or three researchers to have started with D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation (1915), a racially defective film that, "straightforwardly appropriated undeniably the most harming pictures of faint life accessible in American making and standard culture," These photographs influenced enormous dull challenges the nation over, and mixed perils in the starting late settled NAACP who requested control of racial criticism. In spite of the way that these challenges were neglected and released, they equipped the get-together with an estimation how blacks felt about their depiction on screen and set the stage for later verbal meeting. The impacts and disentangling years of the Civil Rights change formed positive movements inside of the film business amidst the 1970s for African Americans. Despite the way that pre-social correspondence and post WWII saw by zero joining of blacks into the film business, the message on screen changed to purpose of inclination blacks and thusly strengthened the reason. The mid 1950s saw a sort of film known as the "Negro Cycle," which were made and encouraged by whites, however refined blacks on screen, offering an examine the life of blacks taking part in a white world. "These films manhandled the new after war progressivism and guided white social events of people to declaration and significant admiration for African American rights," The use of African American Civil Rights without a doubt can't be credited to this mixed pack of film, yet the delineation of pathetic treatment towards blacks and the message of anomaly may have started in a hobby, pulled on a heartstring, or in a general sense passed on issues to light of this tricky hole in the all-inclusive community stadium. Hollywood nonsensically wound up being ceaselessly mindful of their faint viewers; blacks and faint activists get-togethers were persuading the chance to be bolstered up

46 and basically making a move against their criticizing delineations of the African American race. "From the late 1940s through the 1960s, with a course of action of mass inconsistency that later affected into disobedience, blacks influenced changes in every piece of American culture. Dull people made a political and social air in which the issues of race and opportunity couldn't be ignored, "The NAACP, one of the first driving relationship for racial correspondence and faint social flexibilities, gave blacks the passageway they expected that would change American culture and begin political care inside of their race. The mid 1960s saw a submersion of African Americans on the silver screen. This time period combines the film of study, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), and its driving performing specialist, Sidney Poitier, who doled out himself the "one- dimensional, work area class" picture. Close-by Poitier came the presentation of various characters, for case, beguilement stars and performers to movies. As blacks started to manufacture customary adaptabilities in the 1960s, more positive qualities were credited to their characters on screen. Despite these apparently constructive changes, blacks were still not saw as watchful as white individuals. Setting weight on blacks' athletic point of confinement and acting them like marvels on the court, undermined the vitality of comprehension. Movies also either tended to over- sexualize or desexualize dull characters, or put them frail before the white man as decision making and statement into their existence. Blacks' beginning late seen quality, sexuality, and trust in film was "all the time at the affiliation, or under the control of white institutional compel and force," Disregarding the course that there was an increase of blacks on screen, their effect behind the camera lens did not happen for a couple of more years. In 1969, watched Life magazine picture taker Gordon Parks was the first African American to direct a Hollywood highlight film, The Learning Tree. Parks is alluded to in reference to his film; "I had 14 or 15 Black individuals behind the camera surprising for the recorded setting of movies. There was a Black head. The maker was Black. The scoring was finished by a Black man. The third cameraman shockingly was a dull man, "Since the Learning Tree was an individual film in context of Parks' novel of the same name, it was segregating for him to have a gathering come he could call his own race to hand-off the tone, message, and vibe that he had felt while making the story. Ignoring the way that Parks considered unfathomable alternatives in 1969 with his

African American stacked film amass, a Los Angeles getting the chance to be aware of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that same year discovered this was not the stunning illustration. Much despite what may be ordinary, one studio force attested on the issue of minority business in the film business that of 81 individuals in association at his studio, just three were minorities: "two Latinos, one Black. The Black headed the janitorial division. Of 184 experts five were minorities: three Latinos, one Black, and one Asian. Beginning now, minorities contained 40 percent of the Los Angeles metropolitan area masses yet just 3 percent of the motion picture business work control," A faint heading the janitorial staff has no effect on what is passed on in the studio, and does not mirror any successful staying as an administrative position. With just three percent of minorities, not constrained to African Americans, working in the film business' work drive, it can be recognized and kept up by past bits of information that this rate merges upkeep gatherings and portion level powers, instead of cameramen, analysts, editors, and authorities, which is the spot impact and force lies. "An unbelievable course of action if all else fails, whites were in control behind the camera recreating their own particular perspective. Honestly, of the hundred or something to that effect movies including goliath amounts of African American characters and/or an African American-chose story line and passed on amidst the Blaxploitation period, around 1970 to 1974, under one-fifth were under African American control, "Blaxploitation was a film sort that demonstrated a "world making ready to now overlooked on the American screen—ghettos, prostitutes, swindlers, addicts, pimps, and pushers, a universe of supremacist sickness, of misuse, of faint misery and shock;" all of which were the in spite of what promoter relationship, for case, NAACP upheld for dull individuals. These rough films were the first to reveal learning into standard issues resisting blacks in the general gathering walled in extent: "unsettling, interracial social unions and discovering satisfaction in exceptionally far controlled by a revoking white world," Despite the way that these motion pictures may have anticipated that would copy reality, they did therefore utilizing radical hypotheses and exemplifications, which like every single stereotyped representation contained a little truth, hardened by a stunningly more unmistakable, all the all the all the all the all the more undermining untruths the Blaxploitation class came to an end in the late 1970s, the NAACP was sorting out an epic boycott of the essential film business endeavors as a system to increment racial

48 minority locale in the part film industry; recommending that 30% of America's film making a go at get-together of spectators was contained African Americans and in this way, a boycott would be an "in number danger". Despite the way that they didn't complete the starting game-plan for a far reaching blacklist, the danger was satisfactory for relationship to reevaluate their getting routines. Still in 1982, Janet Wasko, creator of Movies and Money, examines, "The state of dull occupation in U.S. highlight movies has not enhanced… and behind the camera open gateways for dull producers have ended up being uncommon." Over a ten-year period from 1972 to 1982, the measure of faint orchestrated portion films dropped certainly, and it was represented that in the mid-1980s, "Blacks were not in any case getting their standard exploitive then again popular expression parts, "A beginning late drove one-year study by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) had discovered "that out of 237 authorities, Columbia had contracted rise minority; Fox two of 146; Universal nineteen of 770; Warner Bros. one of 147; none at Paramount, MGM/UA, on the other hand Disney". These figures display a low number of minorities who hold force positions in the film business, likewise blacks. A lion's offer of whites have positions of power, which is hazardous in light of the way that not just do manager impact the visual parts of a film, they in addition encourage what tone it ought to have and what a get-together of people ought to get from the predictable with foundation. This astounding disparity of racial, ethnic, and presumably sexual presentation, influences in the film business makes an a great deal of movies which delineate the same qualities, gages, and dreams and hence skews how society sees the world through the naturalization of viewpoints gave by the media. Open gateways for blacks have amplified and keep making in the Hollywood film industry, yet this progress is for the most part to the downside of past misuse and slants. The Black Power change permitted blacks to strike out at whites and to acclaim social properties particular from those of white America," Regardless of these "sorts of advancement," it was not until the mid-1980's that the American film industry totally experienced aide changes, which permitted blacks more crucial access to positions of control behind the camera which achieved scripting, acting, planning. (Berry, 2009)

5.5 Ethnic Notions

Ethnic Notions is Marlon Riggs' Emmy-winning narrative that takes viewers on an aggravating journey through American history, following interestingly the profound established generalizations which have powered hostile to anti-black. Through these pictures we can start to comprehend the development of racial awareness in America. Cheerful Sambos, dependable Mammies, smiling Coons, savage Brutes, and wide- peered toward Pick ninnies move over the screen in toons, highlight movies, mainstream melodies, minstrel shows, notices, old stories, family unit ancient rarities, even kids' rhymes. The motion picture 'Ethnic Notions' portrays distinctive courses in which African-Americans were introduced amid the nineteenth and twentieth hundreds of years. It follows and exhibits the development of the established generalizations which have made preference towards African-Americans. This narrative motion picture is described to take the onlooker back to the before the war bases of African-American cliché names, for example, kid, young lady, close relative, uncle, Sprinkling Sambo, Mammy Yams, the Salt and Pepper Shakers, and so on. It does as such by giving us different dehumanized characters and containers depicting African-Americans as lighthearted Sambos, unwavering Mammies, savage Brutes, and wide-peered toward Pick ninnies. These representations of African-Americans move over the screen in mainstream tunes, kids' rhymes, family antiquities and commercials. These different approaches to portray the African - American culture through endless decades established generalizations in the American culture. I feel that a number of these still win in the contemporary society, decades after the social equality development happened. The film watches and investigates the starting points and results of more than one-hundred years of fanaticism upon the ex-slaved society in the U.S. Despite the fact that so many years have ended since the end of Slavery, liberation, recreation and the social equality development, civil right movements but terms biased stills engraves in the U.S society. These dehumanizing exaggerations pervaded mainstream culture from the 1820s to the Civil Rights period and embedded themselves somewhere down in the American mind.

Figure 19 Marlon Riggs Portrayal by Esther Rolle and discourse by regarded researchers shed light on the inceptions and crushing results of this 150 yearlong parade of dogmatism. Ethnic Notions arranges every generalization truly in white society's moving needs to legitimize supremacist mistreatment from servitude to the present day. The guileful pictures claimed a staggering toll on dark Americans and keep on undermining race relations.Ethnic Notions has rapidly turned into a pillar of college, secondary school, and open library accumulations. It is an essential varying media content for American History, Sociology, Black Studies, Anthropology, Social Psychology, Media Studies, and any preparation system worried with stereotyping and culturally diverse comprehension.

Figure 20 Poster of Ethnic Notions Drawing nearer an intricate and fragile subject with extraordinary affectability, Ethnic Notions prepares viewers to view media and other social representations with a more discriminating eye. It's an immediate test to the individuals who say, "It was only a joke." (https://www.fandor.com/films/ethnic_notions, n.d.)

Chapter 6

CONCLUSION

6.1 Introduction

The portrayal of all the blacks in earlier movies were seen as a taboo. The crisis faced by the Blacks can be seen at every movies, whether be it an inspirational drama, action, sci-fi or comedy movie every bit of it seem to be important. The researcher has understood that earlier the Blacks weren’t given any preference and they were literally neglected and most hated people. But the as the time changed and more and more people came to know more about the Black community and mindset of the people developed their idea knowledge all came to one place. In fact the Blacks never had the opportunity to showcase the talents right from the beginning. Winning of the first Oscar by Sidney Portier proved to be the opening phase for the Black community in field of movie direction. His winning paved way to large number of Blacks which were on rise. From the late 17th and early 18th century Blacks has been subject of Slavery, according to the Whites during that time people were subjugated according to the color of their skin, there were violence and riots on till 1900’s were many Blacks were affected the most but somehow recent trend in art and literature form everything changed a lot. Earlier Blacks were not the part of any films now there are numerous amount of actors, directors, writers and etc. Black’s sufferings and struggles have been shown in lots of brilliant movies in Hollywood which are directed by the Black and White directors. Various movies were taken for analyzation of this topic such as: The Pursuit of Happyness The Great Debaters. Django Unchained. The Book of ELI. And the researcher found out that according to all the objectives that two movies Django Unchained and The Great Debaters were somewhat common to each other since both the movies dealt with the problems faced by the Blacks during that time.

The Great Debaters dealt with the problems of slavery and torture of the Blacks who were suppressed by the Whites. But anyhow what the movie focused was on the way of education Blacks received. So education is also considered to be a vital part during that time because that time the Blacks were denied education and suffered a lot.

6.2 Analysis

This movie portrays the Blacks as an upcoming next community amid lots of tension and crisis. By overlooking the movie researcher got an idea about the early 18th century movies such as Django Unchained which totally revolves around the facts of slavery and the suffering the Blacks use to face. The Blacks were traded for the jobs. The role of Django is really inspiring it shows how he coped up when he was traded by the slave traders and his wife sold to some other traders. His quest to find his wife through the troubles but he was supported by Dr Schultz who is seen as the dentist but his secret job is as the Bounty Hunter. Dr Schultz develops a closeness with Django who helps in getting back his life at the cost of his own life. Django reactions could be made out when it is seen how he tolerates the reaction of whites. Even the reaction from the Whites while he rode into a town in horse. Blacks riding a horse is was a severe offence when it was noticed by the Whites.

Figure 21 Quentin Cinematic bloodbath What one can understand is that the Blacks were in large number in America but it can be understood that the Blacks were manipulated, exploited and taken for worse when it came to improvement of their life. Black men and women were sold as the domestic helps, farmers, and prostitutes and even made to fight with each other as

53 form of entertainment for the “elite” Whites. While looking at the role of the Calvin it seems that he is the most shadowed character who like to see the Blacks fight with each other and can also even kill a black whenever he is serious. His farmhouse has lots of Black people working who is eventually irritated by his behavior, till at last it is found out that Calvin’s men were holding Django’s wife and kept her locked in the cabinet. Django’s reaction after looking at his wife melted but he kept his heart strong and waited for the revenge of his wife. Anyways Schultz the person of his own choice had always helped Django but it seemed that he really payed off his debts by paying his own life for Django. Tarentino’s appearance in the movie is filled with details and it is not exaggerated, filled with lots of violence, gunshots and violence. With the brutal killings of the Blacks Tarentino has given the movie a meaning and the struggle of the Black Movement. The costumes, the camera shots, length of the movie all has been looked by the researcher. The Great Debaters has really made it to the different level as it can be seen, the problems faced by the Blacks, this is just in terms of knowledge in 1900’s when the society was exposed to education and free living. Wiley college was the first Black college in U.S which supported the education of Black students only. That time Harvard and Stanford were the types of the premiere institution which were only allotted to only Whites and many other Universities neglected the education to the Blacks but somehow in this movie researcher has analyzed that the education is the only way to break the racial stereotypes, but also to some extent it has been found out that the after receiving the high education also the Whites never had any chance in sparing the Blacks who are educated.

Figure 22 The educated Blacks even never raised the voices because they will be battered or to some extent they might be killed. In this movie we get to see that the educated Black

54 such as James Earl Farmer Sr portrayed by Forest Whitaker who can be seen negotiating with the whites who wrongfully convicted him of running his car over the pig. He somehow was abused and insulted by the bunch of Hilli billies who took over him just because he was Black. The uneducated Whites bullied the Blacks and still made fun of them. The educated Blacks after hearing the abuses never revolted back at the Whites. Only way Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) said to face the Whites and stay equal to them is to become educated and overall for him what he felt Debate is the necessary part where one can overcome and challenge anyone through the words. Entire movie showcases the struggles and the way the Blacks rises in front of the world with the figure of speech. This movie did not grossed well in America, but the movie had the perfect characterization and was even inspirational true event drama. The Great Debaters was perfect direction from Denzel Washington which not only portrayed the problems faced by the Black people during those times but also showcased the value of Education which played an important role in African American life and till now the impact of education in African American is much more. The Pursuit of Happyness totally showcases the relationship between the fathers who means everything to his son in term of Happyness. His struggle to bring happiness in his son’s life. This movie imply brings out a common African American who is simple man with not a lot of big dreams but is always happy with whatever he gets, whatever he earns is for his family. His job as a salesman for a medical equipment from which he tries to earn whatever he can. Chris Gardener (Will Smith) struggles to make his ends meet. By the problems arising even his wife also abandons him, he is left alone with his son. This movie brings forward the problems faced in 1980’s when there was employment problems in U.S. It even portrays the problems of America’s in 80’s where the life was kind of rising with lots of homeless people, people in search of jobs and many complacencies. But anyhow character of Chris Gardener mentions the problems of America. He is a personality with the better degree but ended up taking the job of Intern in Broking firm, gradually after passing the test and Interviews at the end of the film he gets the full time job. Pursuit of Happyness is an inspirational drama which shows the different phases of the normal life of an American struggler. The movie leads to show the important relation between the father and son who survive lots of problem in a city. Here African American is presented in a normal role with a normal attire looking every

55 day for a job. He is so honest that he never lies to his son. His sincerity is shown throughout the movie. This movie portrays an African American in a very normal limelight. It showed the crisis in America where the problem is still relevant and how the homeless people sleep in the streets and jobless people are willing to do any kind of work. This movie portrays both the Africa Americans and the Whites the problem which they face in this blooming economy. It is problem for the educated person to get a job also. Chris Gardener here tries to break all the problems by just taking care of his son, whether be it sleeping in the station or eating whatever it’s possible. He even encouraged his son with education by sending him to a crèche. Though he can afford less for his family, he provides all the necessities and happiness for his son.

6.3 Findings and Platforms for Blacks

The four films which I have taken for research is from all the genres like inspirational, drama and action adventure. The portrayal of Black characters were difficult in the past where they were subjugated to slavery, torture and etc. the movie prescribes it in a very better and possible way. Interview from Dr Ivory Lyons professor of Mt Union College USA, he said that African American are very much concerned about their culture and whatever the movies portrayed from the beginning on the Africa American society has changed the perception of the people worldwide. As referred by Dr Ivory the Black Film Festival also serves as the golden opportunity for all the Black film artists and film makers. This separate award show has really brought a change in the motive of being the part of films. It provided them with an opportunity to showcase their talents. The awards for the separate category in films has impacted the Black filmmakers and actors to be a new face in film world. Civil Rights Development also brought a change in the development in Black movements, this movement brought a change for some time but it didn’t gave the proper recognition to the Blacks. The Hollywood film industry came up together after Sidney Portier broke all the stereotypes of Black phenomenon in Hollywood. Then the various actors started coming out with all the serious or negative and even the dramatic roles. There was the sudden upliftment of the Black artistes that the whole Hollywood industry was relying in them to act a part on their film. With the talented actors like Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman and any more. Ethnic Notions by Marlon Riggs was the turning point in his directing career where he decided

56 to make an hour documentary of Blacks being subjugated to the colors and occupation in terms of movies, animation/cartoons. There were many videos which directly aimed at the Black communities. Marlon Riggs in an hour documentary has focused on the issue of the Blacks subjugated to early slavery and trafficking, they were portrayed as a violent communities.

6.4 Limitations

The whole thesis is researched on the portrayal of the role of Blacks and it has been seen that the Blacks were the more oppressed people in the earlier American society and it has been seen that they were subjugated to violence and crimes. Mostly hate crimes were propagated against them by the whites. It has been also seen that now in this 21st century Blacks face the same issue. The researcher has taken just 4 movies as a reference and studied the plot, characters, acting, B.O and many more. The researcher can take up some more movies which were associated with the Blacks, but was limited to movie releases from 2006-2013. The researcher could have taken other movies which were before 2005. The researcher has taken less interviews, and in the country like India the population is actually not interested in the racial discrimination. None of them were able to answer my question and it was difficult for them to recall on the issues or problems faced by the Blacks in Hollywood. There are very less Black directors such as Spike lee and Marlon Riggs who revolutionized the whole Black Cinema industry.

6.5 Scope of Further Research

There is the scope of further research. Since there are many movies associated with Blacks and also the researcher, the researcher can also access the archives of early White directors and actors who portrayed the role of Black people and also the Black directors, actors who have impacted the Hollywood industry. The researcher can also study on the various role of Blacks not only in terms with Hollywood but also from the different countries such as UK, Europe and Africa. The various Black celebs joining the Hollywood. From the early 1970’s there was a major involvement of Blacks in Hollywood films. Blacks got the role in all big budgeted movie and also worked under the famous directors who made all the genres of movie.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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APPENDIX: EXPERT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Q) So what are your views on African-American culture? A) It does not affect the culture, it depends on the director, producer and actor on how they project the culture. Directors and Producers sometimes glorify the violence but it doesn’t affect the impact of the community. As an African- American they are concerned about the culture, different cities have different cultures in U.S often surrounded by dominant cultures, living standard. American society is not as we see in television and movies and it’s totally different.

Q) What kind of movies (genres) do you prefer to watch? A) Action, sci-fi, drama, history and documentaries are the preferred ones.

Q) Who are your favorite black actor/actresses? A) Favorites are Sydney Portier, Eartha Kitt, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams and Avery Brooks.

Q) What are your views on lifestyle of the Blacks as portrayed in the movies?

Lifestyles are pretty much different. There is typical and atypical lifestyles. Whatever we see in the movies the Blacks are projected like that, if the Black is rich and successful it will be a clean role with more posh and successful life will be shown in the movie. But if the life is opposite or unsuccessful that Black characters life goes nowhere. There are some sort of limitations in all level income group of the blacks on basis of how they earn and their standard of living.

Q) How do the film projects the Blacks associated with all sorts of criminal activity? A) Blacks are projected by the producers, directors or anyone who ask them to do so. They have some message and wants to sell the movie and stereotypes the African- American roles characters in it, people interpret as like the Blacks are characterized

from the community. There is something beyond it, and American leaders and lawmakers portray Black people as a criminals.

Q) What are your views on language and occupation of the African-Americans as shown in the films? A) It’s up to the writers and Directors on how they going to project the Black Character in the movie. Even actors comfortability also depends on it. The languages which they use may vary from the place where they have their upbringing from. The better and middle class Afro-American will behave in a courteous and nice way, their languages will also vary a lot and it will matter to them the most their attitude, respect, ego and etc. so this also depends on the Upbringing of the character. People who write or frame up the stories should have a better interaction with the Black people. They should understand on what situation every African-American passes through. Similarities are there depending on the situation analysis.

Q) Do you think the African American are stereotypes to do a particular occupation? A) YES! Actually they are. The surroundings which they adapt to they become very much more close to it, even the language they use while communicating with the people of any class or category matters a lot. Occupation such as of sales person or company CEO matters a lot.