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 "AMERICAN
HISTORY X" NOMINATED FOR BEST FILM ON PEACE
Never before has the filmviewing public been sensitized to
the conditions that spawn the American neo-Nazism of the skinheads.
In American History X, British-born Tony Kaye
zeroes in on race relations within the United States in graphic
detail (though he has attempted to dissociate himself from
the film because the studio has changed a lot in an effort
to sell to a wider public). Imagine living in an all-White
neighborhood with little crime, where children walk to school
in peace. Next, fast forward to the time when African Americans
are buying homes closer to your own home, getting jobs with
a few points less on civil service tests than your White friends,
attending a formerly peaceful all-White school, and taking
over a public park with sheer numbers. If you cannot afford
to move elsewhere or just prefer to stay, what do you do?
For the protagonist in the film, joining a neo-Nazi hate group,
challenging African Americans, and using violence seems OK
. . . that is, until he finds himself in prison. Serving a
three-year sentence for murder because a jury excuses his
violence as self-defense against two African Americans trying
to steal his truck, he realizes that his White brothers are
running a racket that he detests. He also discovers a congenial
African American serving six years for stealing a television
set that happened to fall on the foot of a police officer
when he stumbled out of the store; he saves his life in prison
as an outcast. Soon, the political arguments against a racially
integrated America seem overtaken by the realization that
a more peaceful approach is the only way to have peace of
mind as well as peace in society. But how? Is it too late?
When do we get the sequel? Our hero’s conversion to a more
peaceful approach is an individual one, will not convince
the skinheads who happen to see the film, but gives us all
a more profound understanding of the tensions of fin-de-siècle
race relations in urban America. Liberal arguments for peaceful
integration are shouted down by the articulate neo-Nazi in
the early part of the film, but everyday experience alongside
a decent African American later turns the tide.
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POLITICAL
FILM SOCIETY RECEIVES PRAISE FROM AWARDEES
John Singleton: "It is with great honor to have my film Rosewood
voted Best Political Film Exposé and Best Film on Human Rights
in 1997 by the Political Film Society. This makes me feel
good that I am "political correct" in my works of delivering
great film."
Steven Spielberg (from his Director of Public Relations):
"Mr. Spielberg was honored to learn that the Political Film
Society voted Schindler’s List the best film
on Human Rights in 1993. Schindler’s List was
a very personal and special endeavor to Mr. Spielberg. It
was his contribution to ensure that the holocaust never be
forgotten; thus the atrocities never repeated."
Oliver Stone: "Thank you for your letter honoring my films
Heaven and Earth, Platoon, and
Nixon. I will treasure the certificates made
possible by the recent grant. Your brochure seems to indicate
a serious-minded society recognizing many fine films for their
integrity. I hope the tradition continues."
THIS
YEAR'S NOMINATED FILMS
DEMOCRACY:
Four Days in September, Primary
Colors, The Siege, The Truman
Show, Wag the Dog
EXPOSÉ:
Bulworth, Four
Days in September, Regeneration
HUMAN RIGHTS:
Wilde
PEACE: American
History X, The
Boxer, Men with Guns, Regeneration,
Saving Private Ryan
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