Review of BlacKkKlansman (2018) by Samantha G — 11 Aug 2018

It has been a while since I saw a film and thought it was a "must see" for anyone who could handle its importance. Spike Lee's latest film, "BlacKkKlansman" is powerful, emotional, and definitely hard to watch in a single sitting where all of the disturbing ideology is thrown at you repeatedly like a punch to the gut. The film is loosely based on the true story of the first black cop in Colorado Springs, Ron Stallworth.

Stallworth (played by John David Washington) calls the KKK's contact number and joins "the organization", but when it's time to meet he sends his Jewish colleague, Flip (Adam Driver) to play "the wasp". That alone shows that this film is representing the KKK as dogmatic and dim-witted since they don't realize a "black/jew cop" is quickly becoming a valued member. The secondary story is Stallworth falling for the leader of the Black Student Union who forcefully helps him understand the reality of their situation. On one hand, he tries to mend the hatred toward cops, while on the other he tries to show that he has just as much skin in the game. His relationship with her seeps into his motivation for his job. This is a source of conflict for Flip, who is the one physically with these deplorable people "on the front lines".

Spike Lee stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: "Why this works is because it's a film that deals with early 70s but it's still contemporary at the same time, so it's relevant. It's not a relic of the past. It's happening today.".

I could not agree more. Many days I fear for the future because of the revitalized hatred that echoes a time in history I hoped to never witness. I was not alive during the Holocaust, I was not alive during the Civil Rights, but I am alive now and there are many events over the last couple years that make me feel like we could be returning to that time period (maybe not genocide-level, but definitely hatred-level).

Though the film is more geared toward the primary hatred of Blacks, it does not shy away from the hatred of Jews and all "non-Aryan" people. I believe everyone should watch this film, but know that the rhetoric is hard to hear, especially because of how constant it is. Even our own Black and Jewish protagonists say the words we never want to hear in their attempts to "infiltrate the hate".

What truly makes this film is the performances by John David Washington and Adam Driver. I think it is clear they were genuinely motivated to do right by this story and our society. Their performances were incredible as they easily segued from making us laugh at the preposterous nature of the plot to silencing us in suspense as we watched to see what happened next.

The problem is, we should know what happens next because we're living it.

As Spike Lee says: "It is not a KKK buddy cop film, but to see those two together [Adam Driver and John David Washington] is amazing.".

What makes this film "easier to watch" is that it does what I have always believed is the easiest way to learn the truth, tells a serious story with the use of comedy. It is part of the reason I prefer watching Bill Maher and Seth Meyers than actual news (though I still read it). Don't get me wrong, this should not be an easy story to watch by any means, but it is so unfathomable that comedy seems the only option. A Black man infiltrates the KKK and becomes the chapter leader? You have to "see it to believe it".

The main reason why I was so impressed with this film is that it is a satire on our current political and social issues by showing the clear juxtaposition to the same issues that were prominent decades earlier. However, it is not until the end of the film that you truly realize its place in the present day. The last five minutes are more powerful than the rest of the film put together, mainly because they follow the film. When we take the story from the 70s and then are reminded of the story today, we get a wake-up call that cannot, should not, be ignored.

POWERFUL SPOILER BELOW-To learn about the last five minutes scroll down or stop here and go see the film for youself!

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Lee shows clips of the riots and marches in Virginia 2017, clips of Trump, and clips of the real David Duke (grand wizard of the klan). All of these images and videos are leading to the final image of the film, which is the American Flag upside down with the stars at the bottom. If the flag is upside down it is a signal for distress in dangerous times. Spike Lee is clearly saying that our country is in distress and these are dire times where if we do not do something the dangerous onset of hate will only spread.

It was that image that sent the entire theatre into pin-drop silence. When it disappeared two guys got in a screaming match that thankfully did not escalate any further.

The film is clearly powerful and will have an impact on everyone watching.

You need to see it.