"When We Were Kings"

The documentary "When We Were Kings" was very interesting  film. It  is a documentary about the 1974 heavyweight championship fight between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman, known to many as "Rumble In The Jungle." In my opinion it was a very inspirational film, and it let's you see exactly why people look at Mohammed Ali as such a great athlete. Ali was working on a comeback, and he knew the "Rumble In The Jungle" was going to be it.  When we were told we were going to watch it in class I was excited. My father used to talk about that same fight that took place in the documentary. He was very young at the time, but is a Congolese native and remembered how upbeat, and live Zaire was during that time.

 The film shows the build up until the fight. I found it particularly interesting how it focused on Mohammed Ali belief's  regarding African's and African Americans. Also how he had much love for the people of Zaire. Ali would personally go around promoting the fight, and getting the natives of Zaire hyped for the fight, and seeing him defeat George Foreman. He took advantage of the fact he was in another land, with different customs, and people.  The part that I enjoyed the most was the documentary opens you up to the fact that Mohammed Ali was more than a great boxer. He was an intelligent man who knew how to articulate his self  very well. The film shows him using the fact he was a well known celebrity to his advantage. Speaking about racial pride, peace, and hope. You can see in the film that Ali is proud to see Africans who are able to live, and governed their own selves.

Before watching this film I felt it was appropriate to classify it as a black film. I heard about it from my father, as well as previous documentaries, and movies about it I watched. What stuck out to me was that there was another main attraction besides the fight. It was the concert. Performers like James Brown, B.B. King, Miriam Makeba, and other big stars performed. People looked at it as a black 'Woodstock."  Many people talked about how it was a time of black pride and togetherness. The concert brought focus on the black culture of the U.S. and Zaire. The black culture that is defined by it's people, athletes, music, politics, as well as business. The artist who perform were at the peak of their carers, and were inspired by the Zairian people. From the film and little bit they show of the concert you can tell it was a sense of African pride in the air. It was a wonderful and life changing experience.

The documentary also causes you to open your eyes to how the fight was a black political statement. At the time Zaire was under the fierce dictatorship of  Joseph Mobutu. Mobutu put up the prize money for the fight, 5 million for each boxer, and 10 million being the cash prize. Don King and Mobutu served as the masterminds behind this fight. The film makes you look at the questionable ethics of locating the fight in Zaire. During that time Mobutu was looking for away to legitimize his regime, which had overthrown and assassinated former leader Patrice Lumumba with the help of U.S. and Belgium aid. The Western interest of Zaire mines enriched Mobutu, who in turn enriched Don King. Mobutu looked at the fight as a public relations investment. The 10 million was to help win the favor of black Americans, who were very aware of Mobutu's U.S. government backed overthrow of Lumumba. The documentary was not clear on whether or not Ali was aware of what exactly was going on from the political standpoint, but you see that the fight was way more than just a rival between two fighters.

"When We Were Kings" was a very touching documentary. The story of Ali and his comeback is definitely something many people can relate to. When he won the fight you felt as if you won too. The documentary in my opinion was not more so on the match but more so on Ali the man, and what he has come to represent. Everyone seemed to doubt Ali except the people of Zaire. Ali was standing in a ring with a man he knew he could not bully, who was stronger than him, who could hit harder than he could, and was determined to force his will on Ali as Ali was determined to do likewise. This was definitely a great moment of epiphany. Ali was a man who was surpassed  in almost every department, who with the power of athletic skill, determination, and self-belief managed to overcome a ferocious and worthy opponent. This documentary can be seen as very moving and touching. Just like Ali everyone has doubts but he did not let them stand in his way. He came out on top, with just believing within his self. Just like Ali people are faced with many obstacles, and just like Ali we as people should never let them stand in our way of reaching success.

Beasts of the Southern Wild

'Beasts of the Southern Wild" is a great and touching movie. When I first started watching the movie I was confused. I was thinking how can this movie be classified or viewed as a black film.  The story line in the beginning was very confusing at first for me to grasp. After watching more of the movie I began to realize the story line spoke not only to one particular group of people but many. This film brings a universal message about acceptance of life and things we cannot change,but still try to. Also, how the lessons you learn in life help you to gain understanding and progression as an individual.   The film takes place during Hurricane Katrina. You meet this tough little girl, living in poverty, without a mother, with her only parent and role model being her  alcoholic, and maybe even bi polar father. She is taught many adult lessons at an early age that she may have not fully understood but attempted too.

 This movie revealed a real message. It shows the value of togetherness in a family and community facing overwhelming odds. In the movie Hush Puppy searches for her absent mother as well as answers to things she does not understand. We as human beings do the same. Constantly searching for answers and for things we need, but can't always get. In the movie Hush Puppy greets the answers she finds with gratitude, instead of with bitterness and anger. She accepts the death of her father with sadness, but also with the understanding that death is apart of life. The prehistoric monster figures from her imagination are in a sense death which towards the end of the movie she no longer fears it but looks at death as her friend.

Overall, the film is a good film. It shows the story of a survivor, the uncommon hero. Learning life lessons at an age earlier than most, from a dying father who knew of his impending fate. Trying to prepare his daughter the best way he knew.  All things that grab an audience and make them fall in love with the main character. The film ends on a sweet but bitter note. It left me questioning what exactly will happen to Hush Puppy now? Will she experience any psychological damage in her adult life?  She just like many other children have to grow up too fast and learn life lessons that may ultimately affect them throughout life.

After watching Beasts of the Southern Wild you  realize it was never a black film.  It did portray certain problems and issues African Americans face. However each character especially the main one did carry a common want and need that most human beings desire. Knowledge, we all desire to learn, search, and discover the unknown. Build up knowledge of things that cannot be explained, and things we cannot understand. Only in the end finding out that we understood and knew all along. This movie is a great watch and inspiring tale, and if viewers open their minds and hearts the same way as Hush Puppy, they will be sure to gain a new understanding on life as well.