Queen and slim movie analysis
The movie “Queen and Slim” is a dramatic sensation which addresses the various aspects which are controversial in American society. Through the efforts made by the director, Melina Matsoukas, and the playwright, Lena Waithe, the film confronts the controversies associated with the American system where racial prejudice has claimed the lives of numerous innocent African Americans in the hands of police. This aspect is portrayed in a theatrical way, where the two main characters who are not identified by names throughout the film encounter a white police officer where their lives take a completely new turn. According to the various conversations held at the beginning of the film, the two African Americans are on their first date, and they are getting to know each other. The lady, played by Jodie Turner-Smith, is a criminal defence lawyer while the man, Daniel Kaluuya, is just a retail employee. The formal and informal analysis of the film portrays excellent advancement in the film production and the perfection made in the representation of the various literary aspects ranging from themes, film target, to the artistic techniques such realism and multiculturalism used in making the film a great masterpiece.
The main action of the film starts after having a heated conversation on their night date where the man, referred to as slim, decides to drives Queen home with no hope of meeting again on another date where they are pulled off by traffic police. In the process of the police checking on Slim’s driving license, Queen undertakes some interrogation with the police officer who finally ordered Slim to lift his hands. While Queen tries to record the event as evidence on her phone, she is shot on the leg. Seeing this, slim struggles with the police officer to defend himself and the lady where the police offer gets shot and dies instantly. This event propels the entire film where the footage of the event raises a lot of questions on the aspect of racial prejudice undertaken by the system as the two are considered dangerous criminals leading to the development of demonstration conducted by the blacks to fight for equality. The short life of the Queen and slim as fugitives develops various reactions at the different stops they make trying to run for their lives as they believe the system will not consider their action as self-defence but rather as murders of a police officer.
The various events that occur in the movie bring together juxtaposition of realism and the burden of representation on the same screen. This aspect is based on the fact the element of racial prejudice is a common aspect in the American society where there are numerous cases where the police are involved in the killing of innocent blacks since the system protects them. In reality, the situation has raised great controversy in the United States since it is not a new case and this has raised questions on the way white police handle African-Americans while they are in the line of duty. Such situations are associated with the long-held stereotypes about the blacks where they are categorized as criminals. This situation is evident in the movie where after the main characters accidentally kill a white policeman, a search is executed to bring them to justice where they end up dying in the hands of the white police. The realism in the movie triggers a lot of reaction on the way the film was shot. The film also represents the various challenges the blacks go through in the hand of police who have taken an oath to protect them.
On the other hand, the aspect of the burden of representation has taken a significant part in the film. This aspect is evident in the way the two main characters, Queen and Slim, represent the blacks and the various aspects that they go through. This aspect indicates a situation where an individual feels the burden of representing a specific group of individuals by portraying their identity (182). At some point in the movie, the two are portrayed as heroes. This aspect leads to the development of a demonstration to advocate for their freedom. The burden of representation is evident in various instances in the movie. When the two encounter a car breakdown and takes it for repair, the mechanic tries to discourage the act undertaken but deep down he felt something for them as they were victims of the reality. When they went to take a walk with the mechanic son, he feels so proud to be around them as he sees them as heroes, and he wants to be like them and represent the blacks. Due to this reason, he takes a photo of them at their home to keep the memories of them when they go. At the club, when the two decide to have a dance before they continue with their journey, they are offered a free drink to show the support of the black people. The assurance of their safety within the club and the treatment they receive makes them bear the burden as they feel comfortable and free since they are in a place where their action is acknowledged.
The film also incorporates other aspects of culture such as music and art in the movie. The two play rap music and pop on different occasions. Such kinds of music represent the various cultural aspects associated with the film. The rap music, which is associated with the blacks represents the culture of African Americans while the pop represents modern times. The choice of music that is liked by both Queen and Slim portray their cultural alienation and how they perceive the aspect of identity. Since Slim likes Rap music, this means that he identifies with the blacks, and he is very proud of his personality.
On the other hand, Queen who dislikes rap music is torn between her identities and does not want to identify fully with the blacks. Other aspects of art evident in the film are the use of graffiti which is a cultural aspect of the black Americans. Such paintings are artistically made in the walls in the black neighbourhood to portray different elements. After the death of Slim and Queen, their picture I made on a wall which is a common cultural practice among the African Americans.
Multiculturalism is also another aspect which is highly represented in the film. The film portrays the relationship maintained between blacks and whites in the United States and incorporates their beliefs, their culture and the various perceptions they have of each other. The film addresses the element of racial prejudice which is associated with the multiple beliefs maintained by the two cultures. The whites representing the high social class while the blacks represent the low social class. Such differences sare portrayed in the way of life maintained by the individuals from the various cultural backgrounds. The existence of individuals from different cultures with varied beliefs creates the main problem in the movie where one race is considered superior over the other. The aspect of superiority is the leading cause of racial discrimination as individuals from different cultures want to maintain their identity. Therefore, the incorporation of both the whites and the blacks portrays the effects of multiculturalism in the United States.
The main target of the film is the authorities which turn blind eyes on the aspect of racial discrimination and police brutality undertaken by the various individuals in the system. The plot, which is an aspect of realism shows how the white police are involved in enhancing the issue of racial discrimination by attacking innocent African Americans due to their attitudes towards blacks. This situation is evident in the way the policemen handles Slim after he pulls out and corporates on the various things he is requested to do. The police officer wanted to execute him before they engage in the fight where he is killed. The end scene also portrays how blacks are considered dangerous, and they are shot to death without even being armed. This film is a message to the authorities to show the cause of the various riots undertaken by the blacks in their struggle for justice in the unjust society. This incidence shows the irony where innocent citizens are being harmed by people with an oath to protect them irrespective of their racial, political or religious background. In this case, the film is a call for reformation in the system to reduce the unlawful killing of blacks. The message if effectively delivered to the targeted audience as portrayed in the demonstrations undertaken in the film to stop racial discrimination.
In conclusion, the film is an excellent masterpiece due to the various aspects it portrays and the way the social and literary elements are presented. The film depicts an adequate reflection of the issue of police brutality and discrimination in American society. This aspect leads to the juxtaposition of realism and burden of representation showcased by the various challenges that the characters face in the search for safety. In this case, the blacks are the victims of the white cops due to the stereotype that blacks are criminals. The film incorporates other aspects of art such as music and paintings to bring the element of identity and cultural factors experienced in the American multicultural society. Due to this reason, the film addresses the various challenges associated with multiculturalism and the search for identity, which is the greatest challenge. The film also targets the authorities which turn a blind eye on the various aspects affecting the minority in the hands of the police. Therefore, the film is considered a message that is addressing the need for changes in the system. This massage involves the violation of human rights, which is against the principles which it is founded.