“I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO”
Raoul Peck, Rémi Grellety and Hébert Peck
Directed by: Raoul Peck
Written by: James Baldwin and Raoul Peck
Based on: “Remember This House“ by James Baldwin
Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson
Edited by: Alexandra Strauss
Music by: Alexei Aigui
Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures & Amazon Studios
Release Date: December 9, 2016 (Wide: February 3, 2017)
FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1979, author James Baldwin wrote a 30-page letter outlining a biography of slain civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Baldwin’s proposed manuscript was never completed, his letter and other writings serve as fuel for an examination of race relations in America.
What’s its competition? Interestingly enough, this is one of three films about racism that are in contention for the Best Documentary Feature category. The favorite to win is the almost eight-hour long “O.J.: Made In America,” chronicling the sports star’s entire life up until now, including his football career, the murder of his wife, and in eventual incarceration. But it still touches on what was happening to the black race when all of that was going on. “13th” focuses on the prison system as a form of slavery and how the “war on drugs” was aimed at putting black people away. But “I Am Not Your Negro,” probably the least likely to win the Oscar, focuses on black author James Baldwin, who associated with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and was very vocal and articulate when it came to race relations. His interviews and speeches are among some of the most well thought out and educated words on the topic I think I’ve ever heard. He had a down-to-earth nature that made him an almost better public speaker than his more well-known cohorts. The documentary chronicles everything from the end of segregation to the murders of King and Malcolm X. This first hand account through the letter of Baldwin does make for one of the most unique takes on this subject, but unfortunately it doesn’t have the pundits behind it like “O.J.” and “13th” do.
Previous nominations? These are the first Academy Award nominations for Raoul Peck, Rémi Grellety and Hébert Peck.
// Produced by Raoul Peck, Rémi Grellety and Hébert Peck // Directed by Raoul Peck //
// Dated Viewed: Sunday, February 12th, 2017 // Laemmle Playhouse // 30 films – 16 days //
It ‘s really wonderful that a lot of blacks & manorities (sic) have been nominated .
However, the proof will be in how many they LET WIN Truly for their body of work.