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‘Civil War’ brutalizes its characters, even more so when they are black – Andscape

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8 months ago

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Warning: Civil War

Director Alex Garland’s film, which follows a bunch of journalists through a near-future dystopia where the country is split into various factions and folks are on the verge of overthrowing the federal government, has at all times been controversial. The film’s politics are unclear and its morality is non-existent, leaving viewers to determine which side aligns with their beliefs. But probably the most disturbing thing in regards to the film is its portrayal of who suffers most in America’s wars. The film focuses on two white photographers, but treats the war’s mostly black, Asian and Latino victims as fodder for the subsequent camera shot. In a movie stuffed with murder, probably the most brutal deaths are reserved for non-white characters, especially black men.

I didn’t expect a movie that might leave me wondering in regards to the way forward for this country and its potential fall into fascism. I didn’t expect politically charged social commentary from A A British author/director with an unwavering desire to make a movie about something aside from political divisions. The trailer only confirmed these expectations, like all movie through which California and Texas ally and secede from the United States, relies more on fiction than any real-life predictions. I went to see the #1 movie on the box office, it grossed almost $50 million in its first two weeks — expecting cool visuals, sprawling mayhem, and ingenuity from the identical person behind the groundbreaking horror film and a favourite of the sci-fi crowd I also desired to see the breathtaking motion sequences the film delivers, especially in the ultimate half-hour.

However, as I watched the film, I once more found myself wondering whether I should stay or leave, given the way in which black people were portrayed on screen.

After about five minutes, we see a slow-motion close-up of a black man being burned alive. This moment is an element of a flashback sequence in regards to the primary character, Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst), and her history as a photographer in war-torn countries. The actual burning of the Black man, with the camera lingering on for an uncomfortable period of time as his body melts away, just isn’t crucial. And that is probably the most drastic death in all the movie.

About 20 minutes into the film, one other shocking death occurs. This time, a black member – the one black member – of the anti-government alliance is shot dead. But unlike many other deaths in , his killing also dragged on. Other soldiers attempt to patch him up and blood sprays all around the screen. The purpose of this scene: to give attention to the brand new, young, white character of Jesse (Cailee Spaeny) and her journey as a rebellious photojournalist. After the shooting, he crouches next to the dying man and takes photos. Lee also looks further and, continuing the visual trope from the film, we get black and white photos of a dying Black man. Later within the film, Jesse and Lee leaf through the negatives of the event and look again on the image of the dying man – Lee’s only response is that it’s an excellent photo.

I used to be terrified in that moment, but I also felt silly in my disappointment. I must have expected this, because attempting to make a movie in regards to the Civil War in an America devoid of politics is definitely a political statement in itself. He says that Black and Latino people, who would likely be the catalysts for this war, are not value having their stories told. It’s a reminder that Garland, who can imagine a world of zombies, sentient artificial intelligence, and raceless civil war, still cannot imagine a fantasy land where those whose suffering is shown for entertainment will at all times be marginalized. Because of this, I spent the remainder of the movie either dreading each time I saw a black person on screen or wondering when the movie would end so I could find solace elsewhere.

Stephen McKinley Henderson w

A24

Throughout r we see loads of other dead bodies and mortally wounded characters – a white soldier who’s hit by a truck and his brains are left on the road, and two white men being tortured at a gas station. But we never saw them killed either. We also hate the extent of cold voyeurism we experience when non-white characters die.

The murder of the third black man is available in the film’s most emotional moment, when Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), the senior journalist and moral center of the film, is shot to death. This scene is spine-chilling because of an excellent performance by Jesse Plemons, whose role as a bloodthirsty xenophobe should earn him awards. However, the moment ends with the deaths of the 2 Asian characters and Sammy.

Sammy is killed when a bullet magically passes the primary characters behind the truck he’s driving and hits him within the side. After he gets injured, the camera slowly stops on his dead body covered in blood. The last we see of Sammy is when Lee looks through photographic evidence of his corpse after which wipes the blood from the backseat of her automotive after his body is removed.

The circumstances of Sammy’s death are infuriating and represent the least logical plot points. His death is a direct results of Jesse’s immaturity, as she leaves the group to perform a automotive stunt and disappears. When the group has to seek out a young journalist, it results in Sammy being shot. And after Sammy dies, nobody mentions Jesse’s role in his death. Instead, Lee encourages her to seek out peace in Sammy’s death. There isn’t any accounting or even acknowledgment of Jesse’s actions.

However, if there’s any realism to remove from this moment, it’s that Sammy didn’t want to avoid wasting Jesse, but was rejected. Which means we saw the instance of a lone black journalist in a makeshift newsroom who was ignored while warning everyone else of a foreboding terror who along the way in which fell victim to everyone else’s terrible decisions.

By the time the climactic siege of Washington, D.C., I used to be ready for the movie to finish, waiting for every other black character to seem on screen to be executed. Ultimately, Dunst’s character Lee dies again in consequence of Jesse’s unacknowledged recklessness, and the US president is executed. Still, their deaths were less gruesome and were handled with more care than any of the Black characters who suffered an analogous fate. Lee’s death, particularly, happens without bloodshed.

As the film ends, it becomes clear that the ideologies of the warring sides don’t matter as much because the journalists’ story, which harkens back to Garland’s original goals for the project: to create an apolitical and morally neutral version of a fictional civil war.

It’s a visit that at all times appeared like a silly move. And the way in which black characters are relegated to easily black bodies only underscores the actual fact you could’t tell a story in regards to the breakdown of a rustic without mentioning race. Refusing to do so is just an empty series of mind-blowing visuals and one other excuse to dehumanize black characters through the lens of a camera.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the creator of the award-winning book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” David is a graduate of Davidson College.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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2 days ago

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December 9, 2024

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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2 days ago

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December 9, 2024

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.

Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

Published

2 days ago

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December 9, 2024

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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