THE BUTLER

ENGLISH

FILM REVIEW

LAURA MARTINS 11D

THE BUTLER

• Movie "The Butler"
• Racism
• Civil rights of African Americans

Introduction

Lee Daniels

DIRECTOR

2013

- Forest Whitaker- Oprah Winfrey- John Cusack

YEAR

CAST

The Butler

Historical drama / Biography

GENDER

Trailer

White House

Cecil Gaines

• Story of a black butler who served 8 presidents, in the White House, from 1952-1986;
• Cecil Gaines:

- Born on a cotton plantation in Georgia, in 1920.- He ran away and was caught stealing from a farm.- He is hired by the owners who help with his education.- Years later, he'll serve in a luxurious hotel in Washington.- 1952 - hired to serve in the White House, where he holds the position of butler.

About It

Ku Klux Klan

Eugene Allen

• The racial issue has been examined over the decades
• Father and son story during a civil rights movement

Historical drama about love, family and racial equality

• Lee Daniels was inspired by the real life of Eugene Allen

- Talks about changes in the political landscape and race relations (1920-2008)- Obedience caused by life of servitudeDissatisfaction of Louis who fights for basic human rightsLouis fight Moments of confrontation (Ku Klux Klan)Existence of hate

Story VS Reality

Civil Rights of the Black American Population

• Most relevant film taking into account the crisis of values ​​in which the world currently finds itself
• The narrative is not only centered on the life of Cecil Gaines

Frames his life in a sucession of events related to the struggle for the civil rights of black American population

• In the same year, the international activist social movement was founded, with origins in the African-American community: "Black Lives Matter"

- Campaigns against violence against black people- Organize protests (deaths of black people caused by police brutality)- Racial inequality in the criminal justice system

Story VS Reality

Civil Rights of the Black American Population

• This film brilliantly manages to stimulate debate about human rights. It also conveys the message that just because something didn't happen to us, doesn't mean it's not our problem.

• The hate will continue to exist, this darkness will continue to exist, unless everyone does what they can to combat it;

CONCLUSION

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that . Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

MARTIN LUTHER KING (1929-1968)