Bleaching
Black Culture
(2014/Cinedigm DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C Main Program: C+
Rap,
Soul, Jazz, Hip-hop, and many other things have came from black
culture and have influenced and created modern American culture, but
what is 'black culture'? Nowadays if a white person imitates a black
man in appearance, music or ability who gets the credit? Is it
really still black culture? While it's roots and cultural history
comes from people of African American ancestry, the modern economy
has turn it into multi-million dollar businesses. And when they give
it a
'white face', what is it saying about American culture?
Director
Cas Sigers-Beedles' Bleaching
Black Culture
(2014) takes a good hard, new look at this situation that is part
revisiting, part updating the subjects & ideas covered. While
slavery was not one of American's shining moment in history, it's
survivors prevailed somehow and their work & ideas provided many
things from fashion, food, music, to dancing to modern America
lifestyle. While America is a mix of different cultures, it clashes
when people claim white men steal music, songs, dances moves, makes
millions of dollars with them without giving back to it's original
creators, though the recent Blurred
Lines
case shows bizarre variants. Some people become further enraged by
when they choose to put a 'white man/face' to represent them. There
are an army of lawyers who claim music such as these were influence,
and therefore not copyrighted.
How
much of 'black culture' do we use in our life? Do we even think of
it as black culture anymore? While America is a mix of different
races and cultures sometime they don't mix too well ...specially if
it involves pride and/or money, but then we must also argue how much
'white culture' has made it's way into 'black culture' as well.
There will always be difference between people and culture, old meets
new, but what does it mean for future generations?
The
anamorphically enhanced image and lossy Dolby Digital sound are a
rough mix of sources, so only expect so much in playback, while
extras include extended interviews and on the streets POV.
-
Ricky Chiang
