DEAR WHITE PEOPLE
US, 2014, 108 minutes, Colour.
Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner, Tayonah Parris, Brandon P.Bell, Malcolm Barret or t, Dennis Haysbert.
Directed by Justin Simien.
A very successful satirical comedy from 2014, raising racial issues, African-American issues in a university context. The film was popular and led to the creation of a series with the same title, beginning in 2017, and employing the same writer-director, Justin Simien.
At the centre is Samantha, played by Tessa Thompson, who subsequently had a very successful career on television and in films, including Thor epics. The location is a rather Ivy League University campus, with veteran Dennis Haysbert playing the Dean.
Some critics have noted that most of the characters are narcissistic, ambitious. And this guides their interactions, writing and publishing, campus politics, campus relationships.
A film very much of its time in its characters and drama – but, the underlying themes, racial issues and tensions, continue.
- The title, the tone, the African-American perspective and attitude towards Caucasians?
- The campus setting, the Dean, official, office, management, staff, students?
- The University atmosphere, familiar from other campus films? The score?
- The accusation that the characters were narcissistic? The characters, ambitions, privilege?
- The focus on Samantha, personality, charm, intensity, her aims, interactions with Troy, breaking the relationship, the new boyfriend, Caucasian? Interactions with Lionel?
- Lionel, gay, shy, awkward, seemingly adrift in this world, interactions with African-Americans, with whites? Adopting styles, dress, hair?
- Troy, personality, relationship with Samantha, his ambitions? Her new boyfriend, Caucasian?
- The Dean, his stances, policies, economic situation, interactions with students?
- Campus elections, the politics, exercises of power and personalities?
- The party, its racist themes, parody?
- The film as a satire? The film as serious? The blend? The impact?
- An interpretation of African-American and race situations on campus, the 2010s? The end, and the different awareness of the different characters?
