No doubt about it, BIRTH OF A NATION is a cinematic masterpiece, however it IS openly racist as well.
For those who haven't seen the movie, here a short excerpt: After being given their freedom, the former black slaves run loose in the streets, getting drunk, pushing women from the sidewalks, thus becoming a serious threat to innocent white citizens. According to the film's logic, it is this threat imposed on white society that requires the foundation of the Ku Klux Klan, just some honorable people taking the necessary steps to defend their homes and families against the rampaging blacks.
The problem is that there are still quite a few people out there who share this view of history. Unfortunately, racism is not just a part of history, it is part of our present, and here lies the problem.
Despite it's film historical value, the film IS propaganda and may still work as such.
Obviously, we have our own share of propaganda films over here in Germany, Leni Riefenstahl's TRIUMPH OF THE WILL probably being the most popular example.
TRIUMPH OF THE WILL is not "banned" here, however you need a permission to show it (which is usually only given to public institutions, like film museums and the like), also an introduction to the movie is mandatory, which is usually given by an expert in film and or political history.
While I've opposed censorship all my life, showing certain movies only on special occasions and with a bit of additional information on the historical background certainly makes sense to me.
Helmut Hamm Galerie filmposter.net
Hey Gang, I'm with Glenn. People's common sense gets less and less as time goes by. It is sad to me that a film of such historical value, in many areas, would get shelved like this. As a society, we are all aware of prejudices and stereotypes, past and present. Unfortunately, it is part of our history and everyone's history throughout the ages. More to the point, it is part of human nature. A film, made 80-90 years ago, is of historical value. Do we begin to remove all books, fiction or non fiction, that were written in a different time period that reflected different values or opinions? I still love a good John Wayne western but I view it knowing it depicts a time period in our history and, at the same time, I can have my own personal feelings about our disregard of the American Indian. There are a lot of movies and books that I don't like, either artistically or ethically, but I support the right for them to be available. I think you learn so much when you see something that is different that what you have previously known or thought. It opens your mind to other possibilities. That doesn't mean you have to accept them as your own, but at least you were open to hearing or viewing them and incorporating other's ideas into your knowledge.
I saw Birth of a Nation when I was a student at UCLA. For the time period, technically it is an amazing film. It always disheartened me to know that D.W. Griffith died fairly nameless and poor. He was a great storyteller and, for me, that is what makes a great filmmaker. I consider the film a masterpiece of film history. So, when will it stop. Do we cover the statue of David because we want to outlaw nudity in public? Stupid, isn't it.
Sue Heim
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-LThe author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
