BlacKkKlansman

Spike Lee has written, directed, produced, or starred in close to fifty movies, and I cannot say I have seen more than a small handful of them. But his newest work, which he wrote, directed, and produced is definitely worth seeing. “BlacKkKlansman” is based on events in the early 1970s, when the Colorado Springs Police Department hired Ron Stallworth (played by John David Washington, who may look a bit familiar as he is the son of well-known actor Denzel Washington) who sets out on a mission to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan. Of course, he needs a white colleague to help him with this, and he recruits a fellow, more seasoned officer, Flip Zimmerman (played by Adam Driver) to this role. Together through many twists and turns they actually manage to infiltrate the local KKK chapter.

I have probably noted before that I tend to shy away from anxiety producing films these days, and it was clear that this would be such an experience. But, this film had received such accolades, coupled with the fact that it is based on actual events that are a part of this country’s history, and perhaps its present as well, means that we should find it anxiety producing. In fact, the film ends with familiar footage of our current president attempting to blur the distinctions between right and wrong. This film gives us all a lot to think about.

Love,

Rebecca