I am looking forward to seeing Viola Davis in this role. She truly is an amazing woman. I recently read her biography, "Finding Me." When one considers her childhood traumas and abuse, it shows the strength, courage, and determination to follow her dreams no matter what. I deeply respect her. It is way past time we see women in strong roles like this and especially black woman. As you point out too many portrayals of black women on screen have failed to show what I have seen in my friends who are black women. I have not seen this movie so can't speak towards the history and it's handling of the slavery aspect of this story but I think you are correct in pointing out the difference between art and history. History is often too complex and vast to effectively portray it in the hour and a half to two hours movies usually are. To effectively portray that complex history it would take a series, something like what was done when Roots the miniseries. I still remember watching that while growing up and the impact it had on me.
Thank you for pointing out that there are some dissenting voices from the black community, I had not realized and probably wouldn't have realized that if you had not stated it.
I am looking forward to seeing Viola Davis in this role. She truly is an amazing woman. I recently read her biography, "Finding Me." When one considers her childhood traumas and abuse, it shows the strength, courage, and determination to follow her dreams no matter what. I deeply respect her. It is way past time we see women in strong roles like this and especially black woman. As you point out too many portrayals of black women on screen have failed to show what I have seen in my friends who are black women. I have not seen this movie so can't speak towards the history and it's handling of the slavery aspect of this story but I think you are correct in pointing out the difference between art and history. History is often too complex and vast to effectively portray it in the hour and a half to two hours movies usually are. To effectively portray that complex history it would take a series, something like what was done when Roots the miniseries. I still remember watching that while growing up and the impact it had on me.
Thank you for pointing out that there are some dissenting voices from the black community, I had not realized and probably wouldn't have realized that if you had not stated it.
Thank you again for your essay