SELMA by Raven Devanney, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
Selma is a powerful new film that tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. as he fights for equal voting rights by assembling the historic march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
I absolutely love this film. It details one of the most pivotal and epic protests during the civil rights movement in such an emotional, educational and inspiring way. The cinematography, musical score and stylistic editing techniques really assist the emotion of the film and convey just how intense the conflict and racial tension in the south was at that time.
David Oyelowo takes on the iconic role of Martin Luther King Jr. in this film and I am completely blown away by his performance. Not only does he embody Dr. King’s public persona and extraordinary speech delivery, but he also portrays him in a way that sheds a light on his personal and home life as well as his relationships with his peers.
The violence that occurred during this movement and the march from Selma, in particular was extreme, hateful and very prevalent. It was disturbing to witness such hateful and unnecessary acts on screen, but I think it is very important that we remember the wrongs that have been overcome and that we continue to educate the public on what our country has been through and where it’s going. Even though it was uncomfortable to see, it is important that we
know and understand the history so we can better our future.
Because of the violence and heavy subject matter of the film, I recommend it for ages 13 to 18. Considering the fact that this film is very educational, enlightening and inspiring, I think it is a must see. I give Selma 5 out of 5 stars, so make sure you check out this incredible true story, in theaters near you now!
