So, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I mean. I don’t know what to say about that. It is what it is. What it has been. And, if you’re not sure what I’m talking about, just check out the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. I know. It’s disappointing that there were no actors of color nominated for this years’ awards ceremony. But, I also realize it’s not disappointing to everyone and, for some people, it’s not even a thing.
The Oscars have been around for a long time. They’ve been around long enough that, when they were established, the idea of having people of color in a movie was probably one of the last things on anyone’s mind. This year, there’s talk of a boycott of the Oscars, based on the fact that all the acting nominees are white. Some people have even called for Chris Rock to step down from his role as emcee for the event. But, I tend to think having Chris Rock as the emcee for an Oscar ceremony in which there are no people of color might be a better move for everyone, than having him step down.
I only bring all of this up because I wanted to share a couple of movies I’ve watched over the past few weeks. I watch a lot of movies, but I don’t think I’ve ever written about movies before. I’m not a film critic. I’m just a regular person who likes some movies, and doesn’t like others. When I meet someone for the first time, one of the things I might ask is, “What’s your favorite movie of all time?” You can tell a lot about a person from the answer to that question.
Recently, I’ve watched two movies about young boys— Beasts of No Nation (Netflix), and Little Boy (Amazon Prime)— that have really grabbed hold of my heart. They look different, they play differently, they even sound different. But, they speak to an important facet of this world we’re living in.
I thought for sure Beasts of No Nation would be nominated for multiple awards, but I was wrong. Even though it won’t be up for an Oscar, you can still watch it on Netflix and judge for yourself. Beasts of No Nation is not for the faint of heart.
Back in December, the movie’s director, Cary Fukunaga, was interviewed by Terry Gross for NPR’s program, Fresh Air. Here’s how NPR described the film:
Beasts of No Nation, which is available on Netflix, is adapted from the novel of the same name about child soldiers in an unnamed West African country. In it, Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah plays a young boy who has lost his family and falls into the hands of a commander who uses a combination of force, flattery, threats and drugs to commandeer an army of child soldiers.
There is a lot of blood of this movie. A lot of violence. There is profanity and nudity and there are drugs. If you watch the movie and wonder about the young actors on your screen, be sure to listen to the conversation on NPR.
Idris Elba stars in the movie, alongside the young Abraham Attah who plays the role of Agu. Aug’s life is forever changed when his brother and father are killed. Agu escapes and is soon taken in by the Commandant, played by Elba.
Here’s what I think: The story is powerful. The acting is masterful. The movie should have been nominated. If you watch it, let me know what you think. But, don’t forget, this one is not for the faint of heart.
If you do watch Beasts of No Nation, Little Boy is the perfect counter to the depth of emotion you’ll experience while watching Beasts. Don’t watch Little Boy right away. Give yourself some time to process Beasts. Then, when you’re ready for something heartwarming and whimsical, queue up Little Boy. Here’s a brief description from IMDb:
An eight-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father.
Some have said this is a faith-based movie, but I don’t see it that way. Faith definitely makes an appearance, as it were. But, I think it’s a misnomer to call the movie “faith-based.” There is a lot of love in the movie, to be sure and, while some might argue with me here, these days I think we could use a few more fantastical movies about the power of love.
Both of these movies are about young boys and their experience with war. While one of the movies is tough to watch, and the other is more winsome, both movies drive home a point about the impact of war on the psyche, and both movies give us pause as we consider the affect of what’s going on “over there” on the lives of real people, real children, and real families who live in the midst and the aftermath of the devastation of armed conflict.
Have you watched these movies? What did you think? What is your favorite movie of all time?
Although I have Netflix, I have not seen either one of these movies. Yet. ‘Beasts’ sounds a little like ‘Blood Diamond’ starring DiCaprio in the way of swearing & much blood & violence, plus the use of child soldiers in mining diamonds in parts of Africa. It’s hard to watch, but I consider it a good movie. I don’t know if I have the heart to see ‘Beasts’. ‘Little Boy’ sounds more like my kind of story. I may look it up.
Sorry to say, this Oscar ‘buzz’ just sounds to me like more Hollywood people trying to find something, anything, to look noble about. Will, and especially Jada Pinkett-Smith are two of my least favorite peeps in the whole wide world. Not because they’re Black, but because I could never put up with the egos they possess. And the nonsense. I think, no matter the color, an actor should be recognized for a job done extremely well. I know Steven Spielberg has been passed-over for years, many suspecting it’s because he’s Jewish. I don’t see Jews boycotting. And to me, that’s every bit an injustice as Blacks who aren’t recognized or honored when they’ve owned a part and done a stellar job. And in the end, a statue on a mantelpiece won’t mean a thing in the ‘bigger picture’ of life on this planet. Cynical? Perhaps.
My favorite movie of all time? It’s hard to choose only one, but I guess I’d have to say ‘The Power Of One’, an older movie now, starring Stephen Dorff, Morgan Freeman, John Gielgud, and Daniel Craig (who is not even listed on the movie jacket!) The title is self-explanatory. The Power of One to change something evil to the good.
Beasts of No Nation did remind me of Blood Diamond. I remember thinking about that while I watching the movie. Let me know if you watch Little Boy. I’d love to know what you think about it.
I agree with you re: Spielberg. I’ve heard that concern raised before. Injustice is injustice, no matter how you look at it. I think times are changing, and the Oscars aren’t going to be the pinnacle in the way they once were. They seem a bit outdated, and not just because of this year’s nominations. The whole thing just feels so “old school” to me, and has for some time. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I watched the awards show.
I’ll put The Power of One on my list!
Thank you Deidra for responding. I worried after I pressed “Send” yesterday, that I might not have expressed myself in the best way. Oh how I do hope you’re right. That the Oscars aren’t going to be the pinnacle in the way they once were. Yet, Hollywood is Hollywood, and oh how we love the attention & recognition. I too, cannot remember the last time I watched the Oscars. Maybe when ‘Lord of the Rings’ first came out?
Last night, as I lay trying to fall asleep, I realized that even though ‘The Power Of One’ is right up at the top of my list, it is ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ that is truly #1 with me.
After I read the blog just now, I was asking my husband what his favorite movie of all time is. We had quite a discussion…..thank you !……and decided after naming quite a few movies that for us, we needed to define the category. His favorite movie would be anything with Dirty Harry in it. Mine is a tie between Top Gun and You’ve Got Mail, anything with Meg Ryan in it (and yes, she was in Top Gun too). But then we listed favorite comedy, favorite drama, favorite animation etc. It’s like picking a favorite child…we have three…impossible to do. I just remembered Cloud Atlas as one of those movies that really makes you think. I’ve seen it quite a few times. It left quite an impression. So to pick one and only one, sorry, just can’t do it. But thanks for a wonderful evening !
Haha! That makes me smile.
Earlier today, at the gym, I was listening to the latest episode of Anne Bogel’s podcast, “What Should I Read Next?” She was interviewing Seth Haines and, if I’m remembering correctly, he said Cloud Atlas was one of his favorite books. I think that’s what I heard. So, that would be two times in one day and that usually means I need to add it to my list. 😉
Deidra, regarding your first paragraph… I so appreciate your candor and transparency, and I thank you for drawing us into your thoughts. This very topic of no actors of color being nominated was a topic of conversation in my home recently. And my 14 year-old son was the one who brought it up. 🙂 It really bothered him — and all of us. (My kids and husband are white, too). We have so far to go. Thank you for being a voice and for leading us in these conversations.
Thanks, Christan, for every single word of your comment. I love the idea that you and your family are talking about this, and that your son is the one leading the way.
Thanks for the tips (including WHERE to stream them). Having grown up in West Africa (child of American missionaries), I don’t know if I can handle “Beasts”, but I might try it. Hesitant not just for that reason – I’m not crazy about ANY violent movie – But I would like to see it and for my husband to see it although it may put him COMPLETELY off ever returning there with me. He’s already not that interested. 🙁
The violence in Beasts is disturbing. Sadly, as you already know, it’s the reality for so many people, including children. It may be enough to know that, rather than watch it on the screen. Let me know what you decide…
I watched Little Boy and was challenged by it. Was it his faith that made the mountain shake or coincidence? His being asked to do those things Jesus asks us to do, especially with the Japanese man (whose name I forget), with the stranger, shows the working of grace when a person practices those things. The movie also shows the prejudice people had towards Japanese people during World War II. It’s a great movie.
I am faint of heart as far as the other movie goes. I’m sorry.
Oh my goodness, yes. The list he’s given is powerful, isn’t it? So many good points made in that movie. And, for me (as with you), many questions raised as well.
No need to watch Beasts. It’s really good. But tough. It’s funny. I really like a lot of horror movies. Like, really horrible horror movies, with lots of horror. But, I cannot watch movies about drugs. We each have our thing, huh? I couldn’t make it through Breaking Bad for the life of me. Gave me the heebie geebies.
Yeah I hear you on stuff giving you the heebie geebies. Gosh I haven’t heard that word in awhile!