Selma: An inspiring piece of African-American history
JOBURG - Thanks to the movie Selma, audiences will see that there was more to Doctor Martin Luther King Jr than his ‘I have a dream’ speech.
The movie shines light on a piece of American civil rights history that might have just paved the way for African-Americans to vote freely. More than that, the film aims to show how peaceful protests led to effective results during the African-American civil rights movement.
In the film, King is seen leading followers in a peaceful march to put pressure on American president Lyndon Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
King, played by charismatic actor David Oyelowo, leads followers in the march from Selma to Montgomery, in Alabama, which is met by violence and brutality.
Without the help of racist Alabama governor, George Wallace, a character played brilliantly by Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson who plays Johnson is forced to take a decision and evaluate what legacy he wants to leave behind as the American president.
Oyelowo plays King’s distinctive poise and demeanour quite well and projects his legendary gift of speech with eloquence and elegance. Other big names like Oprah Winfrey, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Carmen Ejogo and Cuba Gooding Jr make an appearance in the film.
This inspiring piece of African-American civil rights history has been nominated for the Best Picture as well as Best Original Song category for the 2015 Academy Awards.
Watch this movie if you want to see how other Nelson Mandela-like public figures, who followed the route of peaceful protests, impacted the course of black people’s history in other parts of the world.
Do not watch this movie if you have no interest in historic tales, especially the history of the African-American civil rights movement.
Selma will be nationally released at cinemas on 6 February.
