Can we get a movie with, you know, characters in ‘em instead of stereotypes wrapped up in Christian dogma?
I realize that there is a huge fundraising effort going on here for the SSA, and I strongly encourage you to participate, but I would like to bring your attention to something else. I am, admittedly, quite biased in favor of helping people get good scripts turned into films — because it’s good to help the arts and, more selfishly, in the hopes that this will somehow lead to someone making *my* atheist script into a film. There are major minority representation issues in film and independent productions are often the only way to combat this.
It has been a long time since I’ve seen a trailer that managed to grab me as much as this one did, the actors are superb, and there are a couple very funny jokes. Impressive for a film that hasn’t even been shot yet.
Remember when Black movies didn’t neccesarily star a dude in a fat suit and a wig? Or have major plot twists timed to Gospel numbers for no apparent reason? No? Damn…
Well believe it or not there was a time when “Black Art-House” was a thing. When movies like Do The Right Thing, Hollywood Shuffle, and Boyz In Da Hood were breaking box office records as well as making us laugh, cry, and think in ways movies hadn’t before.
The humble producers of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, a satire about being a black face in a white place, long to bring those days back. But we can’t do it without you!
They also have a very funny tumblr, twitter feed, and facebook page.
And, if you’ll allow a brief indulgence, can we talk about how pretty this is? This is a trailer shot specifically to be a trailer, which is to say, this is not cut from a larger movie — they shot this, probably on a very low budget, to sell the idea of the film. With that low budget they’ve gotten a talented cast who all manage to come across as complex, even in a short trailer, and got a cinematographer, editor, and production designer who made almost every shot look professional. Film is tricky when it comes to representation, it relies on stereotypes and visual shortcuts to tell stories efficiently and effectively. It’s a shallow medium. So can I just say that I now have a crush on basically every single cast-member who has a line in the trailer?
Ashley's co-blogger is a third year student at Northwestern University who runs on coffee and snark. . At some point, she'd like to make people sit on couches and tell her about their feelings, but right now she writes in different places around the internet and makes silly faces when she doesn't know what to say. She's the president of her local Secular Student Alliance affiliate, and she is on the Secular Woman speakers bureau. Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Secular Student Alliance
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LJ Briar
June 14, 2012 at 12:05 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I want to see this movie right now. Immediately.
Tom
June 14, 2012 at 12:16 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hard to believe that’s not already a movie. So many well-planned and seemingly “unplanned” moments sprinkled throughout. So many locations. So many lighting set ups. And yes, so many characters – in the best sense of the word.
I will say that some of the radio monologue doesn’t play well… I’m sure she’s got to be able to say that line about Fox News with more conviction than THAT. Sounds like she’s reading it off of a piece of paper she’s never seen before. Overall, pretty damn impressive though. I’d definitely pay to see it.
Graham Martin-Royle
June 14, 2012 at 3:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
If that gets made I’ll watch it.
Grimalkin
June 14, 2012 at 7:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, I tend to not much care for movies, but… damn.
That looks like it would be fantastic for so many reasons. I’m going to seriously have to consider donating to them.
HP
June 14, 2012 at 11:28 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Back in the 80s, I saw a stage production of “The Colored Museum.” As great as the play was, it was just as fascinating to watch the audience reactions split across racial lines.
At the time, I thought the play was a watershed event — that it would change popular culture (and therefore American culture). I was young and naive in the 80s.
Brownian
June 14, 2012 at 11:28 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“You guys get country clubs, we get to say n…..”
Awesome.
Ashley F. Miller
June 14, 2012 at 2:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My favorite line
HP
June 14, 2012 at 12:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Adding, I should have known this, but George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum is on YouTube. Part 1 is here.
Ashley F. Miller
June 14, 2012 at 2:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks!
Dalillama
June 14, 2012 at 3:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am deeply disappointed that the movie isn’t being made yet, because that means I’m going to have to wait way too long to see it. If I had any money, I’d totally give them some.
Rabidtreeweasel
June 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Kickstarter? I’d donate yesterday.
Rabidtreeweasel
June 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nvm
mouthyb
June 15, 2012 at 5:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Reposted several places, and I can’t wait to see this when it comes out.
Nathan
June 17, 2012 at 1:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I followed the “make this movie” link at the end of the trailer and the donations have exceeded the request. That’s good news.
Rip Steakface
June 19, 2012 at 1:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Friggin’ awesome.
However, I’m a white dude and I rather like dancing. Swing dancing, that is… and specifically East Coast Swing – which was invented by other white people. Can we please have that concession?