What is the filmmaker trying to accomplish with the montage interspersing African-American artists and local African dancers and children, Mobutu Sese-Soko and maggots, and some rather explicit sexuality?
What is the role of music throughout the film, both for Africans and African-Americans?
What do you think is the political message the filmmakers are trying to make? In other words, what is their main argument throughout this film?
I am not sure that I picked up on the sexuality of it all, but i think that the filmmaker is trying to show the similarities and differences between the africans and african americans. Clearly it was very different, the two guys were on a side walk smiling and waving to the camera. Then they show a clip in Africa. Dirt roads, very different clothing, different everyday lives. You see women walking with baskets on their heads, probably carry food, or something in it. So life cleary is different for the two groups. Something similar that i saw was that the african american men were sort of showing off to the camera, and that is just what the little african kids were doing when they were "performing" backflips.
ReplyDeleteThe role of music was interesting, they brought BB King and James Brown two amazing musicans, icons really, to africa to play during this tourism burst when Ali and Forman are going to fight. Don King even says that they are legends, and for the people of africa to see them is great. Then Ali goes on to say that all music by african americans is african: the beats, the sounds, the drums, the dancing, the whole feel came from african influence over when slaves were brought to america. So he says that white songs have primarly been like, I've been working on the railroad..While Black music usually has some ump of some kind.
I honestly do not think I have seen enough of the film to deduce an argument. Although I think one of the main points so far is Ali's realization of so many things by being in africa. He learns that Africa is not all jungly and wild. There are civilized, intelligent and kind people in the homeland. - Tatiana
I think that the flimmaker is trying the accomplish the fact that there the same people. We have many similar things that we do in our lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat Ali was saying in the flim is that not all people like the same music. The music might speak to them another way than some one else which don't mean that there different or should be treated differently than somebody else. That the people of Africa is spending alot of hard earned money on a fight. In my opionion it seem like they are trying to compare the americas in Africa to the real Africans in this flim.
Jermya Buckley
1st Period
I think that the filmmaker is trying to accomplish showing us, that even though they were all african, there are different types. Like even though Ali, and foreman were african they were different from the actual africans that they were seeing.I think the music is too entertain and bring together both kinds of african people. I'm not really sure about the main argument, i just felt like they were showing how different types of blacks can be
ReplyDeleteAnswer #1: I think the video montage with all the Africans was trying to show the culture of the Africans and the connection between the African Americans and the Africans as people. Also, I think showing the little kids jumping around was an example of the excitement for the fight to be in their area.
ReplyDeleteAnswer #2: The role of the music is to connect the Africans with the African Americans. The Africans obviously were enjoying the music they sang/danced to and Muhammad Ali enjoyed singing out some words in the film as he enjoyed music. Like they said in the film, I think they were trying to show that Africa is the home for everyone and that everyone is connected.
Answer #3: The political message of the film and the main argument is the connection between the African people and the African Americans. The argument is that the two are similar in many ways although the African Americans have more opportunities and chances than the Africans because of rasicm and living in Africa.
The filmmaker was trying to show how the lives of Africans are different than what most Americans think they are. They have become pilots and musical artists. Africans are not all people who live in tents and have no modenization.
ReplyDeleteIn the film, music shows how talented both Africans and African-Americans are when most people in that time didn't agree.
Their main argument is that America has many stereotypes of Africans and when they see what they can really do, they are surprised.
This is Emily Lipson period 4
ReplyDelete1. I think the filmakers were trying to show how the African children were influenced by African celebrities such as the singer and Mohammed Ali.
2. Music plays a bog role in this movie. The role is to make scences happen faster and more intensely to show the intensity of the scene. For example, the singer and the children, to me the music made the scene more intense and move much faster.
3. The main argument throughout this film is that Mohammed Ali was a not only a great athlete but a great influence on the people of Africa.
1.) All of the different scenes in the montage (the African-American artists, the dancers, the children, Mobutu and the maggots, and the sexually explicit parts) shows the different things that create modern (or at least modern during the time) African culture. There are different aspects to what makes Africa, Africa. The filmmaker tried to show the positives (the music, dancing, children) and the negatives (Mobutu, maggots, sex) about the culture. Also, to show that Africans have indeed created their own modern culture, and aren't barbarians.
ReplyDelete2.) The music, I think shows some kind of escape for the Africans and African-Americans. There is a lot of negativity that they face through each other (civil wars, disease, etc) and through the world (news reports, etc). It accentuates the scenes that are being shown or the theme of a certain part of a movie. It heightens the intensity of the movie. It helps the viewers pay attention to what is being shown.
3.) I think that I have not seen enough of the film to decipher what exactly is the argument being brought to attention. Although, I do believe it has something to do with the culture of Africans compared to African-Americans. Perhaps the film is trying to show that African-Americans have more opportunity to achieve their goals compared to Africans due to where they live. But then again, I think it also shows that they are both relatable and aren't on two totally different planets after all.
This is Jamie Per.1
ReplyDelete1. I think the filmmaker was trying to show how African- American music/dance and African music and dance is similar in some ways and is also very different. I also think the filmmaker was trying to show how important music is to both African- Americans and Africans.
2. Music is really important in this movie. I think it shows how big music is in the world today. It also shows how diverse music has become.
3. I think the political message the filmmakers are trying to make is that African people and American people have various connections.
1. The filmmaker is trying to show that everyone is similar and different in some ways. Examples are that some can fly planes, learn another language, or being a successful artist.
ReplyDelete2. The role of the music is very interesting to me because it may have given a message to others. For example, BB King was expressing emotion and feel through his guitar and his singing. The same thing goes for James Brown with his singing.
3. The main arguiment in the movie is that they are comparing africans to african-americans. For example, they are comparing both fighters sides on what they will do in the fight and they similar in some way
Adonis Per. 1
ReplyDelete1. The filmmaker is trying to show that connection between Africans and African Americans. Even though they were separated the still share similar styles.
2. The role of music in this movie is to show that Africans listen to and enjoy african american music. The music breaks the barriers between the two cultures.
3. The political message of the movie is saying that Africans and African Ameriacans should unite.
1. Alot of the scene that are shown in the movie are ones that raise a question of stereo types. Although it might not be a direct attack or made on purpose it seems as though alot of the scene are possible stereo types. The topless woman shows that Africans are wild and irrational a common stereo type of Native African's. The music is portrayed as purely "Black" or African American music with out the "white" influence
ReplyDelete2. The role of music is one that has been going on for ages. Ever since man was around there has been music. The first music was from drums which is portrayed by the native Africans playing the drums throughout the movie. The more modern James Brown seems to me to be part of the African American culture which Ali brought with him from America to show the African's what there "brothers" from across the sea have done.
3. I believe that one of the main messages that the film makers are trying to get across is that "black"/African American people are intelligent. Throughout the film Ali is shown as an intelligent person not some fool who can not speak properly and interact well with others. The film also tries to show that there is alot of civilization in Africa because alot of the people in the world don't think Africa is a civilized place they rather think it is uncivilized and that there are no buildings or modern structures.The film makers try to show a different side of things than the general public is used to, to try to show them a different perspective.
This is Megan, period 4
ReplyDelete1. I really liked the contrast shown between the Africans and the African Americans. I think that the filmmakers were trying to show their differences and similarities. It showed how even though they lived so far apart they really were quite similar. It also showed how they were influenced by each other.
2. In the movie, music was a way for people to connect with each other. Ali was talking about different cultures' music styles and how each culture connects through music. Even though their instruments might have been different, they still had the style and roots of the music in common.
3. I'm not sure, but I think that it has to do with the different cultures of the Africans and the African Americans. It is about comparing and contrasting them. I think that it also has to do with "idols" like Muhammed Ali. The people of Zaihr were so excited to have them come, and all looked up to him
1)I think that the filmmaker is trying to show how Africans and African Americans are similar, and how many kids there were influenced by artists and people like Mohammed Ali.
ReplyDelete2)I think that the music helps to break down a wall btw African and African Americans, it is a way for them to connect with each other.
3)I think that the political message of the movie is showing that both African and African Americans are similar.
I think the montage is suppose to show how african life/culture is different from american life and what we might think Africa might be like.
ReplyDeleteI think the music was put into the movie to set a mood and also show that Africans like to listen to modern music just like americans do.
I think the filmmaker was trying to relate africans to african-americans and say that in some ways they are similar and in some ways theyre different
(jordan b. 1st period)
Alejandra, period 4.
ReplyDelete1. I think the filmaker is trying to show how Africans and African-Americans are the same and also different on some parts. The film shows Africa as being a Civilized place with great thing to it, like its dancers and the music. They are smart because they have pilots which may be surprising to some people. It also has its defects like any other country does.
2. The music is there to show that not only Africans enjoy it, but also do the African-Americans, so there not so different from each other. It connects Africans to African-Americans.
3. I think the main argument is that Afica/Africans are not how people see it. Maybe people think there barbarians, and just go crazy but the film shows how their not with their culture and it shows how smart the people are, and also there good music that any one can enjoy.
Chris P. per. 4
ReplyDeletei think the filmmaker is comparing the africans to the african-americans and how they are in some ways similar. it also is showin how they react and feel toward each other. And also that the africans are different from how the americans (even african americans) view them from afar
Olivia grabelle period1
ReplyDelete1. I think that the filmmaker is trying to make a distinction between the two cultures of African and African American. He is trying to show that though they are related, they can be different in many ways. He's saying how the Africans express themselves differently in some ways, like the dancing for example. By both of these cultures are linked together by music in a way.
2. The filmmaker is trying to show that both Africans and African-Americans are connected and linked together by music. It may not necessarily be the same type of music, but they share the passion for it and the artistic value.
3. The filmmaker is basially trying to say that though these two types of groups are from the same ethnic background, they are so different in many ways. People might lable african-Americans and think that just because they're of african descent, they're not necessarily the same types of people.
Alexis, period
ReplyDeleteQuestion: 1
I think the film makers were trying to show similarities ans differences between the Africans and African-Americans. They showed clips of African-Americans showing off for the camera as well as Africans when they did all of their flips. It also showed the differneces between the two cultures. They showed clips of women carring food on their heads and neighborhoods that didn't look as good as the one's in America.
Question:2
I think the roll of the music was to find the biggest connection between the two cultures. They showed how much the Africans liked it and someone even said to be able to sing the type of music BB King was singing you had to have some type of connection to Africa.
Question: 3
I believe the main argument in the movie or message of the movies is to show the connection between the two cultures. They are trying to show that Africa is still home for Afican-Americans. They are also showing how Africans and African-Americans are similar even though African-Americans may have more. They tried to show the connection of how little African-Americans have when they showed the clips of racism.
Lauren Period 1
ReplyDelete1. I think the film writer is trying to accomplish a sense of culture shock. He wants the viewers to get a glimpse of life in Africa, and America. He wants to show how the people of Africa have come so far while living in America. The writer wanted to show the environment that Ali grew up in. He wants to present Africans as intelligent people. I also believe he wanted us to see that celebrities can come from anywhere in the world. the writer also wanted to show us where the fight would be held. He tries to remind us that all cultures have similarities, and differences that make us one.
2. Music is displayed through a lot of this film. The point of music in this film was to display cultural change. As Africans traveled to America they developed blues, and jazz. In Africa they perform traditional dances, and songs. The film wanted to show that music had came a long way. Music gave us a sense of the time period of the great fight. The songs in America had similar beats to traditional African songs. The fight was going on at the same time as the music festival. It showed the music Foreman and Ali listened to.
3. The political message of this film was that racism was part of this time period, but it was put aside for world entertainment. This movie also brought attention to dictators. It brought a close view to the dictator of Zaire. If you have money, you have power, and fame. This movie took place during racial issues. You could get a sense that people worked together when money is involved. Everyone wanted to watch the fight black, and white. This movie got a chance to put race aside, and bring together the people of Africa and America.
i think the filmaker is trying to show how imporatant the fight was to africans of all kinds. I think he was alos trying to show how it was so different that two african americans were fighting instead of any white people. I think music plays a role because it's very important in Africa and it sets up the fight.
ReplyDeleteMatt M. Period 4
Bernardo Period 9
ReplyDelete1. The film is trying to show how different the Africans and African Americans are. It shows that different things they do like the Africans walk more.
2. It shows the instruments and how the cultures they do are different.
3. It is to show how the racism is different and how everyone reacts with each other.
This is Kayla period 4
ReplyDeleteI think that the film maker is trying to portray that people are connected by music and the similarties and differences of another culture. I dont think that there was much explicit sexually in the film though. I feel like the film maker wants us to see the similarity between African and American culture and also the drastic differences between the two. The film maker also incorporated the music of African culture into the livestyle of Ali. I think he wanted us to see how much life music can bring.
I believe that the music in the film brings a good contrast between the African culture, and adds to the montage of Ali's lifestyle and his great fight.
I think the main polictical argument throughout the film is the differences between Africans and Americans, and how there where certian stereotypes from the time this film was made.
1. Maybe the filmaker is trying to show that both africans and african americans are similar in the music culture. i didnt understand the sexuality part on stage it didnt make too much sense to me and i didnt think it was necessary.
ReplyDeletealready answered the music question
2. their main arguement is that africans and african americans live similar in a way but different lifestyles.
I have no idea what the maggots were about, but I do believe that the dancing,art, and sexaul dancing links the black African's to blacks in America. The art and dance show a love that blacks have for the body, that it is a bueatiful thing, that connects them back to Africa before the Alantic slave trade and colonialism, also these things show a love of music, movement and bueaty in all things. Music throughout the film brings a connection for African-Americans and Africans to their roots. Music is also represented as entertainment and cultural link. The main arguement throughout the film is that even though the people of Africa and the blacks of America are thousands of miles away from each other that our roots lay in Africa and that we cannot change that and that we should be proud of our ancestors for belonging to such great and proud traditions. The fight between Ali and Foreman brought a new connection between Africans and African- Americans.
ReplyDeleteI think that the montage was put in the film to show that Africans and African-Americans are very different, but that the basis to their lives are the same. For example, it showed both Africans and African-Americans working, having a good time, and just doing things that are part of their everyday lives. Even though the basis of Africans' and African-Americans' lives are the same, the montage showed how much Africans have changed since they were brought to North America as slaves. I think the filmmaker decided to show the maggots and explicit sexuality to sort of symbolize the huge gathering for the Ali vs. Foreman fight and the connections between Africans and African-Americans. The maggots wriggling around in the bowl could have symbolized the giant crowd of people who all viewed each other the same way and just wanted to have a good time at the moment. If I was at the Ali vs. Forman fight, I would just want party no matter who was standing next to me. They could have been black, white, asian, rooting for Foreman, or rooting for Ali. Even if they were cheering in a different language than me, I wouldn't care. I think that's how those maggots in the bowl see each other everyday. On the other hand, I think the sexuality was put in the movie to show that we are all human born through the ways of Mother Nature. That sort of relates to how Africans always put out that grounded feeling of being one with nature through their music. African-American music puts out a more uplifting or disconnected feeling. Not disconnected in a bad way, but away from their roots in Africa. In reality they are.
ReplyDeleteThe main argument about this film is what did people who went to the Ali vs. Foreman fight? Was it good or bad experience? I definitely have to say that Don King had a great idea.
1. I think that the filmmaker was trying to show the connections between African style music and African-American music.
ReplyDelete2. The role of music is to show that even though the groups of people are different they still listen and enjoy the same things
3. I think that the political message of the movie is that although countries are different something simple as a boxing match can bring us closer together.
Marcus period 1
Kelsey
ReplyDeletePeriod 9
I think the film maker is trying to portray the differences and similarities between Africans and African-Americans. They both dress entirely different, one wearing suits, others wearing classical tribal wear. But the way they act at some points durint the movie is quite similar. Their attitudes towards the fight took the same shape, everyone is eager to see the fight.
The music in the film expresses shows the feeling. It emphasizes the mood when Ali and Foreman are being interviewed. When Ali is getting flustered the music will express the way he is feeling and the emotions coming out. The music of both Africans and African-American artists are very up beat and have alot of meaning. The artists never hold back and let the music take over their bodies.
I think the main political message in this film is the connection between the Africans and African Americans. It expresses that each are intelligent and are able to be succesful. Yet makes differences clear at the same time.
1. i think the filmakers put A.A artists and african dancers, people etc mixed together to show the differences and similarites in both cultures.
ReplyDelete2. I think adding the A.A music and african music together shows that though they have different sounds to them they still have the same spirit
3.Im not so sure about the political message but i think the overall argument is about how americans percieve africans/africa than how it really is, the reality, and showing the union of africans and african americans
Emily, Pd. 9
ReplyDeleteClearly the filmmaker's trying to show the similarities and differences between the two groups. They all dance, they all sing, they all smile, they all have the same basic... um... animal instinct, I guess. It's also showing the different directions Africans and African Americans have gone in. The film juxtaposes women carrying baskets on their head with African American pop culture items like B.B. King and James Brown. It's kind of showing how Africans and African Americans share this common root but they've split into different directions. Like a tree, I guess. Love me some metaphors.
Cliché or no cliché, it's true that music is a universal lanugage. It started out as a way of communication and it continues to be one. They talk at one point in the movie about drums, and how drums were probably the first message sent. The songs share similar messages: love, money, happiness, sadness, strife, power struggles, protest, praise... Get up offa that thing (james brown, 1976)... Music is this universal motif, something that connects everything. Music brings the piece together, and it connects messages and it connects the people and the civilizations. The music is the mayonnaise. It keeps the whole sandwich together, and makes it taste better.
The political message is kind of this fight between perception and reality. It's a big slap in the face to everpresent stereotypes. The movie's like, "Look at these two articulate, powerful, black men in a country with the people of their roots. You lose." And you do lose. It tells you it's gonna dance, and then it just hits you with that crazy right lead instead. You don't notice the message until its all up in your face.
Katie Carr
ReplyDelete1.I believe the filmmaker is trying to accomplish people seeing the differences between how the cultures are both similar and different.Also i believe they added in dancing and sexuality to have people intrigued and to be able to relate as they watch the film.
2. The music in the film really shows the culture of both the African Americans and Africans. Some of the music was similar like the beats and dance, but also they were very different. i Also thought that the music brought both groups together for fun and celebration.
3.I think the political message was to show us how we precive African Americans and Africans to be the same. Some people act as if skin color has to do with the culture. You may have the same skin color as someone else but your culture can be different.
~I think that by showing the montage, the film makers were trying to show the viewers that even though Africans and African-Americans have different cultures and customs, they are still people who eat, drink, work, enjoy themselves ect.
ReplyDelete~I think that the purpose of adding both African and African-American music showed that yes, they sound differentr from eachother and use differentr styles, they still express themselves through music.
~I think that the main arguement throughout this film was that no matter how white people percieve them, both Africans and African-Americans know who they are and what they believe in. i also believe that Ali symbolized that.
The main argument through out this film is that Muhammad Ali was greater then the people of Africa knew. He was not only an amazing strategizer and fighter, he was a political leader for Africa. The music heard in the movie was from both America and Africa, yet it connected and shared similarties. The montage was explaining how alike African Americans and Africans are. The point of it was to show the viewer that things are not as they seem.( such as the bugs) They might look not apatizing and gross to eat but to others they might look at it differently, such as a snack.
ReplyDeleteDecember 2, 2009 homework
ReplyDeleteYesenia patino
1. I think that the filmaker was trying to do with the video montage was show the both sides, the african and african american sides and how they come into interaction with one another, or it could be the importance of what was gonig on at the time and the importance to both "cultures."
2. The role of the music in the movie had me really confused. I think they tried to tie it in with the movie by briging up importnat musicians that were African as well.
3. Since i was not able to see the beggining of the movie it really threw me ff on what i was supposed to expect the polictical message was really hard for me catch in the film.
December 3, 2009 's homework
4. My thoughts of the movie were confused i guess at first like i said before i did not know what i was supposed to expect from the movie or what i was watching until i asked a classmate and said it is about a famoud fight. As i kept watching it, it seemed interesting to see how these two legends were so looked up to and awaited for.
5. The message of the film i believe was that you should never forget your roots and were you came from. Something of what Ali mentioned at the end
6. I don't understand the last question.
1. i think that the director was trying to show how african american music and african music differ from each other. for example in some parts of the movie they would show african american musicians dressed up in nice suits on stage and then they would cut to african children dancing in the dirt while banging on a homemade drum.
ReplyDelete2. i think that music was used to symbolize fun and unity. even though african american music is different than african music, music in general still unites everybody.
3.i think that the filmmakers were trying to send a message to people saying that people should follow their own beliefs in their own way and not try to follow everybody in what theiir doin or how they are thinking.
- Briana Period 9
ReplyDelete1. Well the filmmaker is probably trying to show the difference between an african amercian artist and an african artist. It had so many different types if dance styles and the clothing between the two.
2.I think the role of music is like a is like a symbol of peace or maybe happines among the people in african or just to party and be happy between both groups.
3.A message I think the filmakers were trying to say was to be pround of who you are and speak what you feel is right even if others don't really agree with you.
Well I think that the filmaker was trying to show how different Africans are and African Americans are. For example we have modernized our every day lives with electricity and cars (although there are cars there, but not everyone owns a car.), we have electronics. In Africa they us more of the things they have around them; more resourcful than African Americans are here. They get their own crops, walk places, its almost like they fend for themselves, sort of. As far as the sexuality that was used I didn't really understand much about that, but maybe Africans are more comfortable and expressive?Possibly?
ReplyDeleteThe music that was in the movie showed yet another comparison between Africans and African Americans, they are not all that different. Yes different instruments but they both have a beat and rhythm.
I think that the main argument throughout the whole film was that people should stand up for what they believe in, don't judge. And yes, Muhammad was cocky but he never said it, he proved who he was and what he was capable through the metaphors that he spoke in. Also the stratagies that he used in and out of the ring.
9th period
I think the filmaker was showing the differences between the Africans and the african-Americans. They were also trying to show the similarities. It was also showing what each of them do for fun.They show African women waling with bags of food on there head and the African-American driving a car.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the filmmaker trying to accomplish with the montage interspersing African-American artists and local African dancers and children, Mobutu Sese-Soko and maggots, and some rather explicit sexuality?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the role of music throughout the film, both for Africans and African-Americans?
The most socially controversial and outspoken parts of this film are the video montages. There is no dialogue or narration, but the pictures speak a thousand words. These montages were carefully edited and constructed to prove many points. The first of these points were that African Americans and native Africans are quite similar. They have daily routines, customary songs, interesting foods, and fashion that make the two societies special. The second point, while contradicting the first, supplements it by saying that African Americans and native Africans are quite different. African Americans live under a democracy, while the natives deal with dictators. Natives gather food with baskets on their heads while Americans go to markets and restaurants. Despite these differences, the natives and African Americans find ways to unify each other through societal similarities such as music and boxing.
The music is very prominent in this movie. Throughout, the African Americans tried to create a strong bond with the natives of Zaire. They didn't speak their language, so they needed to find things that both of the people could understand. They were trying to unify. The two forms of unification were through boxing and through music. The fight in Zaire was more like a festival of blacks worldwide.
What do you think is the political message the filmmakers are trying to make? In other words, what is their main argument throughout this film?
Although, through the photo montages political and social messages are everywhere, the filmmakers are simply trying to document the event. I think the more significant message comes from the event itself. Muhammad Ali made a distinct effort to connect with the African public. He also won the fight. He made speeches about racial justice and connections to Africa while George Foreman was focused on winning. This festival and the fight conveyed the message that Black Americans are strong and unified. They feel a connection to Africa and will continue to create a society of their own. Americans could either choose to accept that or continue to fight it, but after Zaire, accepting was pretty much their only option.
Erinn Kenney
1st period
chloe besson
ReplyDeleteper. 4
the film maker is trying to parallel the tensions and problems with the big fight with the tensions and problems in africa. he/she is trying to put forth this inspiring message with a problamatic situation.
the point of the music in this film is to add some cultural diversity and also add some auditory twists. the music would follow the tensions or the laughter or the anger that the movie followed. it also added a twist for the viewers that never have experienced africa or may know nothing about it.
the message of this film is simply to remember that I CAN DO ANYTHING.
I think spike lee was comparing African Americans and Africans because he wanted the world or the the people who watched this video to get a differnt aspect of the Afro-American and also the Africans. I think he was trying to say that even if africans are poor they are very well educated and about the afro- americans that they make themselfs look uneducated. thoughtout the movie i think they played african music to say that anyone can reach their dreams no matter what if they are poor or rich.that is what i thought the filmaker was trying to say
ReplyDelete