Co-written and directed by Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman was formerly called Black Klansman. The movie is based on the book by Ron Stallworth called Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime. The true story is a memoir of Stallworth, played by John David Washington, being the first black officer in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1978, he went undercover to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.
The Stallworth and his partner, played by Adam Driver, penetrate into the Klan. They reach the highest levels and are able to stop a takeover of the city. During his undercover work, he even managed to disruption and stop several cross burnings and other activities of the disreputable hate group.
I watched the movie last night with my family. We were entertained and enlighted on the craziness of bigotry and injustices in the late 70s.
The fact that Jones won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, he wove a skillful story with talented actors playing real people in a messed up system.
Driver, as a non-practicing Jewish cop going undercover in the Ku Klux Klan, is a story in itself. Washington, as the Black man in a world of bigotry even in the police force, holds an even keel to the harshness of his culture.
Jones takes the movie further at the end with clips of contemporary riots in the South. Though I understand his purpose of these final clips, their congruity with the original story is not comforting.
The Blu-ray and DVD hit the street and is available for streaming. If you didn’t get a chance to see the movie yet, you can watch it in the comfort of your own home, and I recommend it.
The cast also includes Laura Harrier, Topher Grace, and Harry Bellefonte. Bellefonte’s seen is heartwrenching as he tells the story of the brutality of the South.
The movie clip shows the comedic undertones.
Interesting movie clip shows how Spike Lee directed a serious comedy. The poster above is silly as well. The movie trailer shows how the movie was filmed in a 1970s style. Obviously, it is a comedy with a strong message.