Selma is an important film.
I don’t know where else to begin talking about this film other than to say that the events which it recounts should be remembered by all those who believe in justice for every human life. The main focus of Selma is the events of early 1965 in Selma, Alabama, which were pivotal in securing voting rights for blacks. Selma powerfully portrays the egregious amount violence against blacks at the hands of Alabama law enforcement.
I was quite impressed overall with DuVernay’s treatment of the story of Dr. King’s leadership of the civil rights movement. DuVernay sets this film apart by focusing on the people behind the civil rights movement. Dr. King and his family are at the forefront, as are many other prominent members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Focusing more intimately on these individuals rather than simply on the wider struggles of the civil rights movement is one of the unique strengths of this film. Rather than making a traditional biopic, DuVernay’s direction created a film that was less geared toward observation and more geared toward participation. Instead of simply being a commentary on the civil rights movement, Selma presents the problems of racism and injustice in a way that made me incensed and ready to take action myself.
The struggle for civil rights was not without a tremendous amount of violence, and Selma does not shy away from depicting that violence with disturbingly harsh reality. Cinematographer Bradford Young drew my eyes to different objects on the screen as the focus shifted through various elements of the environment. This was utilized quite powerfully in one of the opening sequences, as the camera focused on the young girls’ hands sliding down the banister just before those children became victims of a terrible act of violence. The lingering focus on the banister as their hands slid down it lulled me into such a false sense of security so that when the explosion ripped through the building, I was caught completely off guard. I literally jumped in my seat. This unsettling moment set the tone for the rest of the film and helped me to feel the sense of unrest that was present during this era.
Another example: during one of the protest scenes, Young’s team chose to focus in slow motion on the middle aged black woman who was bleeding from her wounds rather than downplay the violence by rushing past it. Shots like these gripped me in a way that I could not look away and was forced to realize the brutality of unjust violence against the unarmed protesters in Selma.
David Oyelowo’s performance is phenomenal. I was completely mesmerized by his portrayal of Dr. King, especially during his orations both in and out of the pulpit. Selma depicts Dr. King as a man of destiny, a preacher who was leading in action based on his Christian beliefs regarding nonviolence and the equality of all mankind.
The timing of this film’s release is appropriate, in light of the recent number of protests against police brutality in our nation. Although the civil rights movement is remembered as a success, sadly it did not eliminate racism. Racism is still present everywhere, in varying locations and to varying degree. From Sanford, Florida, to Ferguson, Missouri, this country is filled with people who are incensed and seeking justice. Selma shows how the nonviolent approach exemplified by Dr. King was ultimately successful in securing justice for blacks in the form of voting rights.
This is ultimately my biggest takeaway after watching Selma. I felt like this film is speaking directly to us today, urging us to take a stand against racism and injustice everywhere. In watching it, I heard a call to action for Christians and clergy, urging them to be the ones at the forefront of social change, much like Dr. King and the other members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference were the ones leading the civil rights movement.
During an inspiring moment in the film, Dr. King calls upon clergy throughout the country to heed the cry of justice and come to their aid. This show of solidarity is a powerful statement which speaks volumes about how the problems represented by Selma were bigger than any one race, denomination, or religion. This is why Selma is important – because it not only helps us remember the struggles of the civil rights movement, it also offers us an inspiring example for today.
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