Week
of
12/15/97:		 Steven Spielberg's epic movie "Amistad" depicts a little known case involving a successful revolt of enslaved Africans enroute to America. Would this movie have been more effective had it been made by an African American producer?



Name: LJS
Email: smoothe@bellsouth.net
Response: THE MOVIE AMISTAD WAS A MUCH NEEDED AND LONG AWAITED FILM OF "REAL" BLACK SLAVES. MOST SLAVE MOVIES SHOW THE PLANTATION SIDE OR THE SID WHERE THEY TAKE US FROM OUR HOMELAND AND WE ARRIVE TO THE PLANTATION. NEVER BEFORE HAS THERE BEEN A "TRUE" STORY OF A STRONG BLACK MAN AMIDST THE POWERS AND MUSCLES OF WASHINGTON WHO HAS NOT ONLY SURVIVED AND WON, BUT HAS DONE SUCH WITH SUCH A DIGNITY THAT IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE IF YOU WERE THERE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PRROUD. I THINK STEVEN SPEILBERG WAS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB. HE TOLD THE STORY, THE POINT GOT ACROSS, AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. WTEND TO DWELL TOO MUCH ON THE DETAILS OF THINGS RATHER THJAN LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE! LJS


Name:
Email: jmandre@holycross.edu
Response: Again it looks like we are obsessed with color. We should be happy that this film, which tells an aspect of our history is actually on the big scene. We do not have the luxury to debate whether the film would have been depicted differently if were produced by a black man. If it were produced by any other man or woman, of course it would be different! Let's try to get more films of this nature on the big screen. And work on trying to produce them ourselves. Who says we can't fairly depict "White" history on the screen if we had the chance?


Name: td
Email: tdtony@mindspring.com
Response: My views on the Movie Amistad1)Blacks selling blacks into slaveryWe have always been told this yet there were many cases where whites kidnapped blacks and didn't trade for anything.This perspective was not shown.


Name: KCopeland
Email: kyc56@hotmail.com
Response: Why are people getting all hyped about Steven Spielberg? I thought it was Debbie Allen who approached several of "our people" over the course of YEARS and no one took her seriously. The fact that the movie was made, the story was told and has stimulated some of us who were too lazy to research our past FREELY in the public libraries should stand for something positive. Why is there always someone wanting us to gripe about something. Look for the positives. Cinque's case was one battle won that we can be proud to tell.


Name:
Email: Maddog40@web.net
Response: Yes. It would be more effective for my personal awareness. I'm appalled at how some of my people feel when it comes to who does what in AFRICAN-AMERICAN life. I love my people and my race. I make no bones about it! I cannot stand by and listen to those who say "It makes no difference who tells the [A-A] HISTORY." Don't you remember WHO wrote the history-books in the first place? What's wrong with your memory? Do you remember 'Little-Slack-Bambo?' [*THEY REMEMBER.] *They wrote the book*. Do you want them to keep on writing for you? Now I can't vouch for any white person, so I cannot say that all whites are not filled with hate. I do not know that for a fact! I am a realist, that means I deal with reality. Idealism is fantasy, it's not real, it's a figment of mental deterioration. I will not trust my life to DEMENTIA! Anyone who thinks an [A-A] DIRECTOR could not render TRUTH, HUMANITY, and SENSITIVITY to His/Her Ancestral Sufferings, is *Mentally Deficient*!! When you say Spielberg, as if he was Christ, and then mention Spike Lee, as if he was Satan; I think you had better reverse those Roles! Spike Lee won't hurt you. But because of Steven Spielberg, a lot of "THEM" will have HEAVY-POCKETS come the year 2000! That's when 'They will have the *SCHOONER-AMISTAD* Reconstructed. CONNECTICUT will demand to be recognized for its hand in it. And some others will demand recognition for the part *THEY* played in the re-building of the Slave-Ship. They plan to sail the waters of America making stops everywhere--showing off the SLAVE-SHIP......AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY turned into a Money Making Personal prestige Exposition...


Name: marcus
Email: mmm@webtv.net
Response: I think it's irrelevant to know if a black producer or director would have done a better job, because Debbie Allen has been pushing the movie for over 10 years and there's been more than ample time for someone to step to the plate. People had their opportunity and Mrs. Allen was been turn down form left to right and now people want to question her because someone non-black choose to make the investment. I really don't think people know how hard it is to get a positive black film produce and distributed. Emerge magizine has a excellent article on this topic, I believe it's the nov. 97' issue. The bottom line is we have to start or continue stronger support of positive films produce and directed by people who look like us, such as soul food.


Name: Rasta
Email: rasta@sympatico.ca
Response: Believe me if this were a Jewish site, or for that matter, a site belonging to any other ethno-cultural or racial group, and the discussion was on an African- American directing a movie relating to that group's history. I doubt very much the response from members of any of those groups would be as favourable as those that I have read on this site. Is this a positive attribute, or is it because we are still chained in the mind? Are we the most critical and objective of people, or are we still tied to the slavery mentality everything white is good and pleasant and things BLACK must be objectively evaluated for possible faults. Personally I do not see these "attributes" as positive or beneficial to African-Americans. Indeed, the movie may have have been well directed. However, please do not compare this white man with our SPIKE. Especially, when it comes to telling our history.TELL ME, HOW IN HEAVENS NAME CAN THE CHILDREN OF SLAVE OWNERS COMMUNICATE THE SLAVES'STORY BETTER THAN THE CHILDREN OF SLAVES?


Name: Karen De Vaughn
Email: brownstonepub@mindspring.com
Response: Yes, I do believe it would have been more effective if, the basis for the movie has been the book Ecohs of Loins by Ms Riboud. I think Speilberg had knowledge of her book. I feel he felt he needed a black face to make it more accepatable, hence Debbie Allen. It does not matter to me that black people had good roles in this movie. Our history and culture can not be sold to the person with the most money. His stealing of this black women's work should be an afount to all black people. I wonder when we will stop letting other people exploit us.


Name: Charmaine
Email: phenomenal_woman@usa.net
Response: I do not believe that it would have made that much of a difference. Mind you Debbie Allen was producing this wonderful interpretation since 1984(?). I believe that on some basic level we all know what pain is and how we would feel if we were the ones in that situation. As an African-American I do believe that it would have been nice to see such a film put out by one of my brothers but if they did not take the opportunity to direct it then I believe that Debbie did the right thing in asking Steven to do it


Name: april
Email: april_crump@nt.com
Response: I agree with the majority of all of those that have responded as of yet. Amistad is a wonderful movie and I do not think that Spike (although I love all of his films and believe that he is a very talented) the same stands true for John Singleton. I believe that Spielberg portrayed the characters excellently. I believe had some one of color done this film, they would have focused more on the plight of the slaves instead of their strengths. Not only in their revolt, but also in their absolute will to survive. Sorry for those of you who have not seen the film) Cinque's will to escape and the way that he achieved his escape was beyond imagination. Had another director other than Spielberg done the film, I am sure that the white men who argued on the behalf of the slaves and the judge would have been glorifed more than was needed. All of these men were shown with equal manner. It is a wonderful film. However, the main focus that we should have is not what has happened in the past, but what is it that we are going to do now? We need to remember that it is not man that does these horrid things to one another, but satan. He is a powerful force and he is ruling all of those that have not given their lives to Jesus. Only he could instill such hatred. The things that these men did to the slaves were unbelieveable. This is a film that all need to see. Speilburg's name will assure that all races will attend this film. It is truly amazing to see where we have come and where we are now. So many of us are still in a spiritual slavery. So many of us are in slavery on our jobs. Racism, is no longer out right, it is subtle, and that is scarier than someone who would just spit in your face. Without a hope and belief in someone higher, our people as well as whites will remain in the bondage they are in. Bound in poverty, sexual addiction, drugs,... It is time for our society to wake up. Jesus is the only that we can be freed of whatever bondage it is that we are under. I am not here to preach, but every week, we ask questions about our current plight and and we say that our black community leaders should be doing more to help us, when that is not the case. We as a people need to get it together spiritually before we can even think of helping eachother in any other type of way. We have got to go back to our roots. I am not saying that you should bow down to any man, but we need to get educated in the spiritual so that we can fight the real enemy in the physical.


Name: Belita R. T. Franklin
Email: belita@leading.net/belita@pop.southeast.net
Response: First, Let me respond with a 'return' questions: How would Jews feel if an Africana male made a like movie about the holocaust...would they rush to view the movie??? I have viewed AMISTAD. It is a very well made movie...and so was South Africa's CHAKA ZULU, 'dropped' on an un- suspecting public during what was supposed to a period of embargo! AMISTAD is accepted/and will be due to Debbie Allen's involvement, and her selection of Steven Spielberg to approach for the venture. The movie, again, depicts the quest of the good natured 'massa' to do right! One could very easily be swept away by the deliberate emotions displayed in the movie. Personally, I feel the gifted Africana women who directed A DRY WHITE SEASON would have done an AFROCENTRICALLY EXCEPTIONAL movie..and I apologize because I can't remember her name. My next question for all to consider is will Spielberg 'do right' by Ms. Chase-Riboud, and if not, why not??? Proof certain does exist that she was 'wronged,' and SOMEBODY [Dreamworks staff, Spielbery, etc.] is lying


Name: Nicole
Email: TERRYLEECOREN@WORLDNET.ATT.NET
Response: I think that it does not matter what race makes what movie. It's bad enough that we as afros do not support our own race and try our best to hurt each other over things that really do not matter. Talking about a movie is that really helping us? We have real issues that we should be dealing with instead of a movie.


Name: LDAWG
Email:
Response: WHO CARES IF THE DIRECTOR IS WHITE IF THE MOVIE IS TRUTHFUL AND ACCURATE. CAN A WHITE PERSON TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT BLACK HISTORY? YES!! IN CLOSING, HEY MADDOG, ALL US WHITE FOLKS ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU.


Name: Ernest Williams
Email: 75064,1212
Response: Man i'm sorry every body is upset over this movie, we have been going through this for years. What are we going to do about it? All we seem to want to do is talk, talk,talk, and sell books, but nobody is willing to go to the front line and organize a movement. If this movie wasn't made by someone, a whole lot of us wouldn't know what Amisted was all about. if we don't want outside forces telling our stories, lets tell our own. If we can't get sponsers, go to the people, offer stock options or profit sharing. the most important thing is to get the story out to the people with an africentric view point.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Solomon@memrain.org
Response: "It ain't necessarily so" that an African American producer would have made for a more effective movie. At some basic level we are all human and inheritors of the human experience. The movie has the impressive input of Debbie Allen and other African Americans, but the story of freedom is a human story. The Africans of "Amistad" won their legal freedom on the basis of natural law as well as American law. In addition, Spielberg comes from a people with a history of oppression and slavery himself, so it is not likely there is a lack of sensitivity and empathy here. I do not think one has to be white to tell a white man's story, or black to tell a black man's story. One has only to feel a common humanity.


Name: K. Leonard
Email: leonard@detroitbest.net
Response: No; it was a story who's time had come and it should only have been done by a director who was interested enough to do the research and be motivated to tell the story, regardless of his race.


Name: Monica G. Wood
Email: monicaw@afroam.org
Response: No, I don't believe Amistad could have been made better if it had been directed by an African American person instead of Steven Speilberg. As Serious in Chicago stated, it (Amistad) was made by the most qualified person in Hollywood. We need to forget who played a role in getting this movie out there and pay attention to the message the movie sends. It is an excellent film for ALL America to learn from and embrace. It is the history of both African Americans and European Americans. We both played ugly roles in the events that lead to the slavery era. But, it is also a proud time for us African Americans to see how our ancestors overcame the struggle and stood firm to their faith of being free. We have a l-o-n-g ways to go. But, I believe we as African Americans can take anything from this movie it should be that it is through the strength of our ancestors that we will soon be free.


Name: Tarris600
Email:
Response: I recently saw a "Biography" special on the true story of Amistad. I have also seen the movie. The movie was as close to real events as possible and still be a movie. I also think that Steven Spielberg was just the right choice to make this movie. With his clout, the movie could be made, and even so he had a difficult time with release dates, and number of theatres per city, etc. In my city, only 1 theatre was showing the moving for the first week. 1 Theatre! So I think it's amazing that the numbers were high considering that the opening week release was sent to a "limited" number of theatres. As for Singleton's "Rosewood", it was sentimental, tugged at the heart strings but was pure movie fiction and only a thin ribbon of accuracy was represented in the film. Nonetheless, I found it an entertaining film.


Name: Nnamdi Nzingha
Email:
Response: Yes, I think it would have been different if an African American or African had done it. My vote would have been for Halle Gerima(Sankofa). I haven't seen it yet, but a reviewer I respect said the movie focuses on the white characters. I'm reading the book before I see it to see how they compare. Debbie said she had trouble getting hollywood to make the film. It cost 40 million. If 10 million of us gave $5.00 we could make basically any movie we want!!! Peace


Name: Serious in Chicago
Email:
Response: NO. This movie was made by THE MOST qualified Director in modern day moving making. Steven Spielberg is and has been one of the most intuitive, fair, sensitive, and observant (I could go on)directors I've ever encountered. Remember folks, he is the person who directed The Color Purple as well as Schindler's List and many more very successful films. He is the master!; and we can be assured that he did the BEST job that could possibly have been done. Pray for him!! God has truly blessed this man with a talent that is unmatched.


Name: NotSure
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: I really don't think that matters. I don't think whitefolks would have come out in as large of numbers as they are now if Spike Lee or John Singleton would have done the movie, for instance. But should we really care about that anyway? What's important is that this little-known story has been told, and I for one am grateful. I don't care WHO makes a movie about a portion of my heritage that I previously was unaware of. Just tell me the TRUTH, and depict the historical events accurately. That's all I ask. I DO wish that Barbara Chase-Riboud would win her case to receive credit for the story, since portions of the story depict fictictious vignettes from her book, "Echo of Lions". But then, don't whitefolks ALWAYS find a way to plagarize, and take credit where credit is undeserved, when it comes to any endeavor involving non-whitefolks?


Name: djata
Email: childrenofafrika@hotmail.com
Response: Well I haven't seen the movie yet, but i will check it out very soon. I'm skeptcal of the content of the film. Just how truthful wil it be? It will definitely make people think. I would perfer a version by John Singelton, "Rosewood" was the one of the best films of the year. Hats off to Speilberg for attemping to do this film. Send a response, what do u think. Peace


Name: Tony Jones
Email: TonyJones@WEBTV.NET
Response: Leroy, my response was focused on the question "Would the film have been more effective if produced by a black?" And this case I didn't think it would have been more or less effective.....but if you take a more contempory film/story such as Soul Food, I think it makes all the difference in the world. I'm not suggesting praise a white man for producing Amistad nor am I suggesting that we are helpless to tell our own story. I'm happy that the project is done and am only expressing a response to the specific question. ...peace


Name:
Email: Brimstone99@webtv.net
Response: The term >more effective, is not specific enough for me. Research unveils a very fascinating revelation [to play on words]. I found the depth of reality brought out a miriad of organizations involved with the movie *AMISTAD*. Also, lurking in the background, *PLAGIARISM*! There is a $10 MILLION LAWSUIT pending against the movie AMISTAD. I can't say more or give any specifics, lest I leave myself in libel! Anyone interested in doing their own research--EMAIL me. Read the enlightening truths firsthand. You'll find it unbelievable....


Name: Michael Taylor
Email: miketalr@lightspeed.net
Response: Well I think he did a fine job. I does not matter who produced the film, as long as long as it was made. I think the film will be seen by more people more than ever. Also I feel the he did a great job!


Name:
Email: INI360
Response: WELL LET'S LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE. WE AS BLACKS IN THIS INDUSTRY WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY OR PULL TO MAKE OUR OWN FILM OF A LARGE MAGNATUDE. I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN MR. LEE DID MALCOLM X HERE IN NEW YORK THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY TO MAKE IT SEEM THAT THE FILM WAS A FLOP OF SOME SORT. I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO SEE IT WHEN YOU GOT YOUR TICKET IT WOULD READ A DIFERENT MOVIE ON IT, THEY HAD THE EXCUSE THAT THEY WERE OUT OF MALCOLM X TICKET'S BUT IT WILL GET YOU IN TO SEE THE MOVIE. NOW WHEN THEY COUNT UP THE TICKETS SOLD THEY COME TO AN LOWER NUMBER. AND THUS MAKES IT SEEM AS IF THE MOVIE DIDN'T DO AS WELL. NOW THERE WAS A MOVIE PUT OUT BY A DIRECTOR I FORGET THE NAME BUT THE NAME OF THE MOVIE WAS SANKOFA NOW THAT WAS A MUST SEE WHEN IT COMES TO SLAVE TRADE ERA. I HAVEN'T SEEN AMISTAD BUT I HERE THAT ANOTHER WHITE MAN COMES TO OUR RESCUE AGAIN SO WE CAN SIT BACK REAL IGNORANT AND SAY SEE THEY WASN'T THAT BAD.....IF THEY WANT TO MAKE A MOVIE SHOWING THE SLAVES STRENGTH THEN A MOVIE SHOULD OF BEEN MADE ABOUT NAT TURNER NUFF SAID. LET'S GET STRONG PEOPLE AND MAKE THING'S HAPPEN.....


Name: Deborah F. Cole
Email: dcole@usia.gov
Response: I think the question should be reworded , because as I understand it Debbie Allen did have a hand in producing this movie, Spielberg was listed as primary director, perhaps your question should have dealt with that issue.


Name: Tony Jones
Email: TonyJones@WebTV.net
Response: I don't feel that it matters about the race of the producer of the movie. The content "story" is the key factor. As I understand it Debbie Allen approached others that were black but didn't find the interest. Steven has a lot of experience and deep pockets so I think in this case his participation enhanced the project. In this situation the film is based on a time period when none of us were alive....I'm not really sure if a black producer would be able to provide more insight.


Name: Leroy Mosley
Email: somrel@juno.com
Response: That's our problem we give praise to the white man for making a historic film about blacks . But we ourselves act as if we are helpless when it comes to getting films made by blacks for blacks. We seem to always depend on the white man to tell our story instead of us telling it ourselves to the world. Later