Judas and the Black Messiah : Movie review

 


Based on a professor's recommendation, whose class I am taking this Spring Semester, I watched this movie. Incidentally it won a Golden Globe award in the Best Supporting actor category and has potential to win an Oscar as well. 

Set against the cold backdrop of Chicago, the movie showcases the movement of the Black Panther Party who stood of civil rights and communism. Two things that were averse to the American Government in the 1960s. The movie attempts to showcase certain events that precede Fred's death. One key event is when William decides to become an informer of the party to the FBI when faced with an ultimatum. Either he goes to prison for his car thefts or helps the FBI bring down the Black Panther party. Willan opts for the latter albeit reluctantly. It is evident with the stiffness that he portrays and faces a lot of inner conflict. His conscience pricks him every second and resigns to his sad fate for being subjected to something like this. 

What follows is a series of violence including, shoot outs and killings. There are tender moments between Fred and his love interest, powerful ones like his speech that evokes a chorus of 'Chairman Fred' across the party. There are heartrending instances such as Fred's death and the overall attitude towards a certain section of the society, which hasn't changed today. 

The movie has a lot of contemporary relevance and touches upon several themes such as racism, violence ad betrayal. Its sad to see how racism is still prevalent in the society even today. Despite numerous works of literature on the same or movies trying to portray this theme, nothing has changed. While its the oppression of Blacks in the US, there exists another form of racism back in India which is the caste system. Personally I have never understood this discrimination against individuals who are born in a certain caste or religion. Even education has failed to eradicate this sort of attitude. It makes me wonder if there would be a day when people accept others on humanity grounds instead of judging them based on caste, creed or color. 

Coming back to the movie, Judas and the Black Messiah has a certain raw element that lends to its authenticity. The performances by Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya are powerful and award worthy. Daniel Kaluuya especially gets into the skin of the character as the Charismatic Chairman of the Black Panther Party. Overall the movie is dramatic and heartbreaking. Definitely something that will linger on your minds and evoke myriad emotions. 

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