Wednesday, May 19, 2010
PHOTOS |
COMING SOON|
EXAMINER.COM FILM ARTICLES
||HOME
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
EDITORIAL
A Great Cinematographer's
85th Birthday Today
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz in Egypt, Africa, with the Pyramids in the background,
during his pilgrimage in 1964. Malcolm X
Archives
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
FOLLOW
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The term "great cinematographer" is used facetiously here, but Malcolm Little
aka Malcolm X aka El Hajj Malik El Shabazz took many pictures, and a look at his
exhibits of photographs and videos (including several videos seen near the end
of Spike Lee's 1992 epic film "Malcolm X") shows that this Omaha-born orator and
human rights champion was, or could have been, a fine filmmaker. Home
videos and some nice camerawork show this. (Though the adjective would
more adequately describe film director Gordon Parks, who had taken pictures of
Malcolm.)
Malcolm Little was born on this very day 85 years ago.
A man of conviction who followed his convictions and opened his mind to wherever
the truth led him, Malcolm constantly evolved and expanded his understanding
of life, Islam and of the world around him. A Black Nationalist and Pan
African, Malcolm could have been a lawyer, which he grew up wanting to be.
Later he had regretted not taking that road. Early on he showed ability
but teachers steered him away, though he was an A student in school. (The
moral of that story is: if you see potential, shape it, grow it, encourage it.
Don't sit on a golden moment to encourage someone to shine or to tell them that
they have the tools to succeed.)
Most of us don't experience multiple lives. Nor do we experience life and
constant reinvention in such a short time as Malcolm did. Only 39 years of
age in 1965, Malcolm had undergone revolution after revolution, never being
violent, never using force. He advocated the use of violence only in
self-defense. He spoke passionately about black people and the conditions
in which they found themselves in America during the turbulent 1950s and 60s.
He fervently spoke for self-empowerment and economic independence for blacks.
And he had gained global status as a champion of black people and their
advancement against the tide of an oppressive society.
In the U.S., where many forget (either conveniently or otherwise) that Malcolm
existed, May 19 typically comes and goes without so much as a passing mention of
Malcolm X. On American mainstream television news programs today I
guarantee you'll hear very little or nothing at all unless an invited guest with
a knowledge of American history decides to inform the viewing audience in
passing about him, and about it being Malcolm's 85th birthday.
Back to Malcolm himself. I don't know if he was an avid movie watcher.
With all that he was doing he probably had no time. Had he lived to see
today he would appreciate that there are still readers of his
Autobiography. I think Malcolm would be cautious about Barack Obama as
president. I can't imagine Malcolm wouldn't vigorously challenge him on
the issues of the day, even at 85 years young.
Today Malcolm would also be appreciating his six children, all daughters.
Even if Malcolm was never a filmmaker he painted powerful, eloquent pictures
with words. He could have supplied endless dialogue for a screenplay with
them. The screenplay would contain ups and downs, laughs and tears,
triumphs and sorrows. In other words, it would have formed the heartbeat
of an amazing, fascinating life.
Happy 85th birthday, family man.
Essay for Roger Ebert on "Malcolm X" Spike Lee's
film
SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPCORN REEL MOVIE
REVIEWS RSS FEED
PHOTOS |
COMING SOON|
EXAMINER.COM FILM ARTICLES
||HOME