Spike Lee's destiny to depict the respected leader "Malcolm X"

"Malcolm X" synopsis

The short but vivid story of the life of Malcolm X, a charismatic figure in the black liberation movement.

Index

• Fateful April 29, 1992
• Malcolm X and the long road to film
• Describing the pilgrimage to Mecca
• many troubles I had
• "I'm Malcolm X!"

Fateful April 29, 1992

On April 29, 1992, the city of Los Angeles was engulfed in flames. The Los Angeles riots, which many people remember, took place.

A video of Rodney King, a black man being arrested for a traffic violation, being assaulted by a police officer without resisting has been leaked and has been repeatedly reported across the United States. On April 29, 1992, when the officers were sentenced, a large crowd gathered in front of the Los Angeles Police Department building. Several people were wearing Malcolm X T-shirts or hats with simple logos that just read "X." In fact, at this time, Spike Lee's ``Malcolm X'' (1992) had not yet been released in theaters.

Even before the release of ``Malcolm When it was decided that Malcolm X would be made into a movie and Spike Lee was chosen to direct it, many fans became enthusiastic. Even before filming began, Spike Lee was under pressure every time he met fans, telling them he was looking forward to it. Sales of Alex Haley's ` `The Autobiography of Malcolm Such expectations were placed on Spike Lee's shoulders.

"Malcolm X" trailer

And what a strange fate. On April 29, 1992, the same day the Los Angeles riots broke out, the first preview screening of ``Malcolm X'' was held at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles.

The film begins with the Rodney King assault video. Along with the audio of Malcolm X's speech, the American flag, the Stars and Stripes, and the video of Rodney King's assault were alternately projected on the screen, and the Stars and Stripes gradually burned until only the letter "X" remained. It's very impressive from the opening.

The Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of American patriotism, especially in the military. In films such as `` Patton Tank Corps '' (1970), which depicts the American soldier George Patton, the Star-Spangled Banner was depicted large and impressive to symbolize American power. In `` Rocky IV'' (1985), which incorporated the East- West Cold War between the United States and Russia into the story, the American flag was draped over Rocky's shoulders after he achieved victory.

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But unlike those movies, the Star-Spangled Banner in Spike Lee's films does not exaggerate America's strength. The Star-Spangled Banner appears frequently in this film as well as Spike Lee's other works, but in his most recent work, ` `BlacKkKlansman '' (2018), it appears upside down in black and white. Spike Lee himself has said that this is a protest against Donald Trump. Of course, the scene in which the Star Spangled Banner burns is also one of Spike Lee's protests. Even when the Star-Spangled Banner burns, Malcolm X remains.

Malcolm X and the long road to film