Spielberg, S. (Producer & Director). (1998). Amistad. [Film].
Universal City: Dreamworks.
Amistad is a true story about a cargo of slaves that rebel and mutiny
against their captors to gain freedom only to be captured by the U.S Navy.
Spain, who owned the ship wants them returned, and so begins a series of
events that finally culminate in a Supreme Court defense by John Q. Adams.
This movie gets Two Thumbs Up. I really appreciated how the Africans were
portrayed. They were portrayed as strong, intelligent, and moral beings.
I get so tired of movies that portray slaves(any race) as weak, stupid,
inferior beings. Though at times graphic, I would recommend this movie
to anyone above high school age. This movie shows the captured individuals
in a realistic and positive light. Though they are imprisioned they are
strong individuals caught up in circumstances beyond their control. It
also provides a view of the differing stances on the issue of slavery held
in America by abolitionists, politicians, educated and uneducated, etc.
Questions that I have of the Producer/Director:
1)Why do you think that it took so long for this film to be made?
2)Do you feel that the story told in the movie is the same story told
in the book or by history? Why/why not?
3)What was it like casting the actors in such emotionally charged roles?
4)Do you feel differently about the enslaved now as opposed to when
you first began this project?
5)What do you feel is the most important message of this film?
Submitted by John Asher.
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