Racism and the movie "Crash"

I just watched this movie last night and it was wonderful..

It reminded me of the recent Racism thread in IMO.

Its a reflection on perceptions of people from all walks of life and how we all, as a society, have certain preconceived notions.

The film is an intertwined story of several families and people and how they view others as well as how they are viewed. For example, the latino locksmith who is seen as a gangbanger by an affluent white woman (Sandra BullocK) but who is really a tenderhearted father...

I recommend it!!

I've heard great reviews of this film, but haven't seen it yet. Will have to make a point of watching it!

Funny, I just watched this movie over the weekend. I found it thought-provoking and well played. Even if I did get angry over some of the assumptions in it and Joe had to tell me to calm down. He made the point that things are different in L.A., but I've run into these same racist assumptions right here in Illinois. Great movie. I would watch it again.

Originally Posted by sunnicat

Funny, I just watched this movie over the weekend. I found it thought-provoking and well played. Even if I did get angry over some of the assumptions in it and Joe had to tell me to calm down. He made the point that things are different in L.A., but I've run into these same racist assumptions right here in Illinois. Great movie. I would watch it again.

Click to expand...

Sunni..Which assumptions angered you?

I almost bought it a couple of days ago... but I thought nah, dont know if it would be worth it... but i will have to go get it now!

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Sunni..Which assumptions angered you?

Click to expand...

I was offended by the assumptions that characters made just by looking at someone's appearance, ie clothing, etc. When Sandra Bullock's character threw that major fit over the locksmith, I almost stopped watching the movie.

Wow, I think I'll go get it today! One of my friends just told me I should rent it because it's really good and I was like "hey, I saw a post about that on the cat forum!"

I didn´t see it! .....

Originally Posted by sunnicat

I was offended by the assumptions that characters made just by looking at someone's appearance, ie clothing, etc. When Sandra Bullock's character threw that major fit over the locksmith, I almost stopped watching the movie.

Click to expand...

I know. I was cringing...And then when he came and put the keys on the counter in front of her..ahhhh.
I cried at the end though (well in a few parts) but when Sandra Bullock hugs Maria at the end and what she says...Oh, god, am welling up again thinking of it...Can't say anymore or will spoil it!!Very touching and moving film.

I cried, too. About from the point in front of the locksmith's house (you know when I mean) till the end of the movie. It was a great movie.

I haven't seen the movie yet..I'll be sure to rent it

Great film.

Yep, I would have to agree -- great film!

Understanding the nature of prejudice, scapegoating, stereotypes, and discrimination is the first step in combating these practices.

All of us have prejudices about members of groups different from ourselves. We should, however, recognize that we are not acting fairly if we treat people differently because of these stereotypes and prejudices. Each one of us deserves to be considered a unique human being.

I wish that high schools would use this film to help stimulate a discussion about how sterotyping can lead to racism, perscution and even genocide.
Lei

Lei, I agree. I'm thinking of having my boys, ages 11 and 13, watch this movie with me. I'm interesting in their opinions and reactions. I also think it would be a good opportunity to discuss these topics with them. I can't remember, what was the movie rated?

Your boys are fortunate to have an enlightened Mother. I would like to meet them when they are adults.

Originally Posted by sunnicat

Lei, I agree. I'm thinking of having my boys, ages 11 and 13, watch this movie with me. I'm interesting in their opinions and reactions. I also think it would be a good opportunity to discuss these topics with them. I can't remember, what was the movie rated?

Click to expand...

Rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.

Though I wouldn't hesitate to let my 12 year old watch it WITH me...Some messages are more important than ratings...There's a bit of sex and the violence is nothing compared to what you normally see.

Some trivia about the film:
Sandra Bullock was so committed to appearing in this film, that she bought her own plane ticket to fly to the set.

Goofs: Continuity: Just after Farhad fires his gun at Daniel, the camera cuts away and then cuts back. When it returns to Farhad, the hammer of the revolver is once again cocked, which it would not normally do - and it is presumed that Farhad didn't pull the hammer back again since he was stunned at what he had just done.



And I loved this part of the movie. It was pretty funny...

Quotes:
Anthony: Look around! You couldn't find a whiter, safer or better lit part of this city. But this white woman sees two black guys, who look like UCLA students, strolling down the sidewalk and her reaction is blind fear. I mean, look at us! Are we dressed like gangbangers? Do we look threatening? No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it's us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren't we scared?
Peter: Because we have guns?
Anthony: You could be right.

Originally Posted by sunnicat

I was offended by the assumptions that characters made just by looking at someone's appearance, ie clothing, etc. When Sandra Bullock's character threw that major fit over the locksmith, I almost stopped watching the movie.

Click to expand...

This is the last paragraph of Roger Ebert's review:

Not many films have the possibility of making their audiences better people. I don't expect "Crash" to work any miracles, but I believe anyone seeing it is likely to be moved to have a little more sympathy for people not like themselves. The movie contains hurt, coldness and cruelty, but is it without hope? Not at all. Stand back and consider. All of these people, superficially so different, share the city and learn that they share similar fears and hopes. Until several hundred years ago, most people everywhere on earth never saw anybody who didn't look like them. They were not racist because, as far as they knew, there was only one race. You may have to look hard to see it, but "Crash" is a film about progress.