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Malcolm X Movie

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Introduction

Genre Theory classifies films by themes, styles, and narrative structures. It helps audiences and researchers understand and interpret movies by offering genre expectations and traditions. This lets one examine a film’s storyline, visuals, and themes. Genre theory provides a common language and context for film analysis and criticism. The chosen genre for this analysis is Biographical dramas, which usually focus on a famous person’s life, challenges, and accomplishments. These films frequently feature historical authenticity, character-driven plots, and period realism (Freeman & Smith, 2019). This genre includes Spike Lee’s 1992 film “Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington. The film depicts Malcolm X’s rise from disturbed youth to Black empowerment activist. The genre expands as it tackles complex issues like identity, racial inequality, and personal growth. “Malcolm X” is a great film that explores human growth and racism through a character-driven plot, historical authenticity, and social and political themes employing lighting, characters, and costumes.

Body

The film takes the audience through the journey of Malcom little’s development to becoming the civil rights leader Malcolm X. It excellently depicts his rough Harlem origins, jail conversion to Islam, ascent as a Nation of Islam leader, and sad assassination. The character-driven drama about Malcolm’s emotional and intellectual progress stars Denzel Washington (Lee, 1992). The film’s historical realism, accurate mise-en-scène, and social and political commentary transcend its genre, exploring racial identity, systemic racism, and civil rights.

The mise-en-scène’s attention to detail captures historical period and Malcolm’s life changes. Costumes, setting, and lighting demonstrate the film’s historical realism. Costumes support the film’s accuracy. Malcolm X’s style changes with his personality and beliefs. While Malcolm is still Malcolm Little, the costumes mirror the 1940s and early 1950s fashion with crisp suits and fedora hats (Lee, 1992). As he becomes more committed to the Nation of Islam and becomes Malcolm X, he wears black suits, white shirts, and ties. The costume design details Malcolm X’s evolution from a troubled youth to a charismatic leader.

In addition, “Malcolm X”‘s settings are designed to mirror Malcolm’s life and society. Harlem’s 1940s jazz clubs, small alleyways, and active street life are depicted in the film. This location transports viewers to Malcolm’s turbulent ghetto beginnings (Woodson, 2017). The film then recreates the Nation of Islam’s mosques and gathering locations with careful architectural and interior detailing. Malcolm’s personal and intellectual journey is shown by the striking contrast between these places, showcasing his transformative experiences.

Moreover, the lighting helps add historical authenticity. Malcolm’s lectures and encounters with the Nation of Islam stand out for lighting. These sequences have warm, soothing lighting, contrasting with the darker, more oppressive lighting of earlier scenes and depicting Malcolm’s spiritual enlightenment and empowerment in the Nation of Islam. These sequences’ light and shadow enhance the film’s mood and Malcolm X’s development.

One of the genre conventions in the film is its Character-driven storytelling. The film excellently shows how Malcolm X matures throughout the film. From his childhood racism and crime through his intellectual enlightenment in prison and conversion to Islam, it explores his multifaceted identity. Biographical drama centers on the protagonist’s personal growth; hence, character development is key (Tchemev, 2022). Malcolm X’s character arc, wonderfully depicted by Denzel Washington, represents the genre’s focus on personal difficulties, successes, and development.

Additionally, the film also excels at historical accuracy, another biographical drama convention. This authenticity relies on the mise-en-scène, which includes clothing, locations, and lighting. The film’s portrayal of many eras of clothing is impressive. As Malcolm X goes through life, his outfits follow the fashion of each era. From his teenage zoot suits to his Nation of Islam suits and ties, Malcolm X’s clothes reflect the time and his change (Lee, 1992). The settings of “Malcolm X” also make it historically accurate. The film takes viewers from 1940s Harlem’s bustling streets to the Nation of Islam’s spiritual mosques. These surroundings are precisely reproduced to fit the era’s architecture and ecology, immersing viewers in history. Practical locales and period-appropriate set design help bring the audience to Malcolm X’s time and authenticate his experiences.

Finally, “Malcolm X” goes beyond biographical drama by tackling societal and political issues. The film explores complicated topics of racial identity, systematic racism, and justice while focusing on Malcolm X. Its depth and relevancy come from expanding thematic substance beyond the individual’s life, making it a compelling statement on civil rights and equality efforts. Thematic depth pushes “Malcolm X” beyond a genre classification, showing its ability to address urgent social issues while keeping to biographical drama.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Malcolm X” is a remarkable biographical drama that skillfully blends storytelling, mise-en-scène, and thematic exploration to honor Malcolm X and transcend its genre. The film’s historical authenticity, character-driven plot, and study of social and political concerns give it a profound resonance beyond biographical drama. The film’s character-driven narrative follows Malcolm X from his stormy childhood through his rise to power. Denzel Washington’s magnificent performance as Malcolm transports viewers to his identity, challenges, and ideological revelation. As a character-driven biographical drama it demonstrates how characters change in life. For historical accuracy, “Malcolm X” uses mise-en-scène, including attire, settings, and lighting. From the wardrobe choices that reflect the changing decades to the realistic reproduction of places, “Malcolm X” immerses audiences in Malcolm’s historical background. This historical accuracy boosts the film’s believability and biographical drama reputation. Despite genre norms, “Malcolm X” openly explores larger themes, including racial identity, systematic racism, and justice. It addresses civil rights and equality issues beyond biographical theater. After its release, “Malcolm X” remains a thought-provoking social and political critique due to its thematic depth. The biographical play “Malcolm X” is historically accurate, well-developed, and thematically rich. The film’s clothes, scenery, and lighting faithfully represent Malcolm X’s life and immerse viewers in history. Its willingness to tackle serious social and political issues expands its audience and improves its filmmaking. Overall, “Malcolm X” is more than a biographical drama because it uses film to teach and inspire audiences about history and the human spirit.

References

Freeman, T. S., & Smith, D. L. (2019). ‘Movies That Exist Merely to Tell Entertaining Lies’?: Biography on Film.
Biography and history in film, 1–42.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89408-9_1

Lee, S. (Director). (1992). Malcolm X [FILM]. Box Office & Company. Retrieved From:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104797/

Tchernev, J. M. (2022). Creating character identification and liking in narratives: The impact of protagonist motivations on real-time audience responses.
Media Psychology, 25(5), 740-761.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2022.2067878

Woodson, A. (2017). Ethics on Film: Discussion of “Malcolm X.”
Carniege Council. Retrieved From:
https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/media/series/ethics-on-film/ethics-on-film-discussion-of-malcolm-x