Film Essay

Thomas Beckman - Film Essay - 9/17/2015  - H Block

People throughout the world watch movies for many different reasons. Some watch just purely for entertainment, while some people watch for a better understanding of historical events. Movies can be a great and sometime the only way to get a visual representation of famous events. In our history class we have watched both Glory and 12 Years a Slave both are great representation of the events the are about. Both of these movies express the effect of slavery on blacks in both the North and South.

Solomen

12 Years a Slave is a true story which is about a man by the name of Solomen who was a free African American during the time of slavery. The movie takes place during the mid 1800’s and talks about the rough life Solomen went through after he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Throughout the movie Solomen is treated just as any other slave was treated, if not worse. This movie challenges the viewer to put themselves in Solomen’s shoes and try to overcome the adversities that Solomen has to overcome himself. As Steve mcqueen said, “This is the Anne Frank diary of America”. This is because of their both of their circumstances they were in. Anne Frank was trying to hide from the Nazis in World War II, while Solomen was trying to hide his true self during the mid 1800’s in America. Steve Mcqueen also stated that through “the power of cinema” he was able to help other people tell their stories. During an interview he talked about this woman whose grandfather was poisoned for trying to teach slaves to read and write. This is probably why it won many top awards such as, both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best picture and Scott Mendelson of Forbes said “‘12 years a slave’ is among the year's best films.”

On the other hand, Glory is talking more on the fact that slavery affected every black man was viewed, weather they were free or not. Glory is about 54th regiment of the Union Army during the Civil war, which was an all black unit. The movie takes the viewer through the creation and lifespan of the 54th. It shows the lack of respect for the 54th from the rest of the Union Army. This is expressed through the scenes of the 54th’s Commander Shaw, being rejected items such as uniforms, shoes, and a chance to fight. Throughout the movie the 54th is used as a manual labor unit that clears paths for the army. The director of the movie tried to put the viewer in the 54th and make you understand what it was like.

Movies are a great resource to get a better understanding of history of all kinds. Movies such as, Glory and 12 Years a Slave, let us explore and be a part of major historical events. Unlike books or lectures movies allow us to be both mentally and visually there in the story, it lets us be a part of the story, and it allows you build a better understanding of your own about the story, which you can compare and relate to the ideas of other people through research. They also can expose certain truths about history that make us reconsider different Ideas that already exist.

SOURCES-

http://www.indiewire.com/article/afi-fest-steve-mcqueen-talks-12-years-a-slave-why-he-wanted-to-make-a-film-about-slavery-his-1-goal-for-solomon-northrups-story

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-york-times-1853-coverage-solomon-northup-hero-12-years-slave-180949944/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Years_a_Slave_(film)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/09/30/review-12-years-a-slave-is-a-superb-achievement/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/12-years-a-slave-marks-important-249804

Practicing Incorporating a Quotation

If someone were to ask me how accurate the Film Glory was I would lead them to this article, which was written by Film Critic that uses historical documents for there research.  

"I found one of the letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw online, which generally verifies the burning of the town which was shown in the film." Film Critic


Today I learned that when you are talking about a quote you should always introduce it before you start to explain. Using quotes helps you solidify an idea because if provides textual evidence. Paraphrasing is much more completed. I learned that when paraphrasing you should never use exact phrases or words that the original used, and that you should reword everything almost to your own.

What Mrs.Lawson Wanted me to Learn:

• Only use a quote when it adds power and style to my writing. 
• Always make it clear, from context, that I understand the full meaning of the quote. 
• Whether I quote or paraphrase, always be transparent about the source and how I'm using it. 
• If I use another Author's exact words or phrases, to any extent, I have to use quotation marks to give credit. 
• If I use another authors presentation of facts or ideas, but put their ideas in my own words, I better have a good reason for doing that, and I MUST give credit. 
• Hyperlinking is so easy, there is no excuse for not being transparent about my sources. 

I really understand these things. 

Paraphrase a Qoute

"The assault on Battery Wagner was attacked on the wrong side in the movie, and it also suggests that over ½ of the regiment was lost during the assault. However, official records state that they had 272 casualties, which is closer to 40%. Lastly, the way in which they whipped and flagged the black soldiers is historically inaccurate because the practice of flogging had been outlawed before the civil war, and Robert would not have whipped them because it symbolizes slavery, which is what they were trying to abolish." This is from Marked by Teachers.com


In other words when they depicted the 54th attacking Fort Wagner the showed them attacking on the wrong side of the Fort. They also showed that of half of the regiment during the assault, while in reality they only lost 272 men, 40% of the regiment,  according to official records. Finally, the whipping and flogging of the black soldiers was in fact unlawful during the Civil War, due to the fact that the union was working their way to abolish slavery and the abusement of the soldiers symbolized slavery.

Empathy & History

The difference between empathy and sympathy is quite simple. I learned that empathy is where someone is able to understand one's problem even if they have not experienced the problem. While sympathy is where you feel piety for one's misfortune. For example I am able to understand why Japaneses Pilots would carry out Kamikaze attacks in World War II because it would bring honor to their family in their culture. Empathy is helpful in History because it allows us to understand both sides of all of the conflict in the past.

Empathy