Selma (film)

Selma (film)
source
Name	Selma
Director	Ava DuVernay
Producer	Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey
Writer	Paul Webb
Starring	David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding Jr., André Holland, Colman Domingo, Wendell Pierce, Common, Tessa Thompson
Music	Jason Moran
Cinematography	Bradford Young
Editing	Spencer Averick
Production company	Plan B Entertainment, Harpo Films, Cloud Eight Films, Ingenious Media
Distributed	Paramount Pictures
Released	December 25, 2014
Runtime	128 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
Gross	$66.8 million

Selma (film)

Selma (film) is a 2014 American historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb. The film is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which were a series of three marches that took place during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The marches were led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders, including Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis, and Hosea Williams. The film highlights the struggles and sacrifices made by these leaders and the thousands of people who participated in the marches, fighting for their right to vote and an end to racial segregation in the United States.

● Historical Context and Background

The Selma to Montgomery marches were a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, which was a decades-long struggle for racial equality and social justice in the United States. The marches took place in Selma, Alabama, a city with a long history of racial tension and discrimination. The city was a major hub for the Civil Rights Movement, with many prominent leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Fred Shuttlesworth, having strong ties to the area. The marches were sparked by the brutal treatment of African American voters in Selma, Alabama, who were systematically denied their right to vote through voter suppression tactics, including literacy tests and poll taxes. The marches were also influenced by the Birmingham Campaign, a series of protests and demonstrations that took place in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, which were led by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

● Production and Development

The production of Selma (film) was a long and challenging process, with many obstacles and setbacks along the way. The film was initially conceived by Paul Webb, who wrote the screenplay and worked closely with Ava DuVernay to develop the project. The film was produced by Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Christian Colson, and Oprah Winfrey, who were all passionate about bringing the story of the Selma to Montgomery marches to the big screen. The film features an all-star cast, including David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., Tom Wilkinson as Lyndon B. Johnson, and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King. The film was shot on location in Selma, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia, with a budget of $20 million.

● Plot and Characterization

The plot of Selma (film) follows the story of the Selma to Montgomery marches, which were a series of three marches that took place in 1965. The film begins with Martin Luther King Jr. delivering a powerful speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where he calls for an end to racial segregation and voter suppression in the United States. The film then cuts to Selma, Alabama, where Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, including Ralph Abernathy and John Lewis, are working to register African American voters. The film depicts the brutal treatment of African American voters in Selma, Alabama, including the use of tear gas and batons by state and local law enforcement. The film also explores the complex relationships between Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, including Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael.

● Themes and Social Impact

Selma (film) explores many themes that are relevant to the US Civil Rights Movement, including racial equality, social justice, and voter suppression. The film highlights the struggles and sacrifices made by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, who risked their lives to fight for their right to vote and an end to racial segregation in the United States. The film also explores the complex relationships between Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, including Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael. The film has had a significant social impact, with many viewers praising its powerful portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery marches and its exploration of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. The film has also been recognized for its historical significance, with many historians and scholars praising its accurate depiction of the Civil Rights Movement.

● Reception and Accolades

Selma (film) received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising its powerful portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery marches and its exploration of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. The film holds a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising its historical significance and its impact on contemporary social justice movements. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $66 million at the box office. The film received several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Glory", which was performed by John Legend and Common.

● Historical Accuracy and Controversies

Selma (film) has been praised for its historical accuracy, with many historians and scholars recognizing its accurate depiction of the Civil Rights Movement and the Selma to Montgomery marches. However, the film has also been criticized for its portrayal of certain historical figures, including Lyndon B. Johnson, who is depicted as being opposed to the Selma to Montgomery marches. Some historians have argued that this portrayal is inaccurate, and that Lyndon B. Johnson was actually a strong supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. The film has also been criticized for its omission of certain historical events, including the Birmingham Campaign and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

● Legacy and Cultural Significance

Selma (film) has had a significant legacy and cultural impact, with many viewers praising its powerful portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery marches and its exploration of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. The film has been recognized as a landmark of contemporary American cinema, with many critics praising its historical significance and its impact on contemporary social justice movements. The film has also been recognized for its influence on contemporary social justice movements, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March. The film has been screened at many film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, and has been recognized with several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.