Selma
Dir: Ava DuVernay
2015
*****
Ava DuVernay's Selma is a gripping and frighteningly real account of the real life events of the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, led by Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr in March of 1965. It isn't a biopic of Martin Luther King Jr but it gives a huge insight into his life and the struggles he came up against. This was probably his biggest victory, even more so than The Nobel Peace Prize shown in the film. The attack on the peaceful protesters that day in Selma was televised, indeed like the song says, the revolution will be televised and you could say it was, on that very day. The nation came together after Selma and a very real unity was realised. There is still much to be done but this was a huge step. The film avoids all of the typical cliches film makers fall into when making biopics and 'based on real events' films and stick directly to the documented facts - indeed, the documented facts are often referenced on the screen. Martin Luther King Jr may have been a preacher but Selma is never preachy, one sided or sugar-coated. The story is an important one and worth telling and Ava DuVernay has told it properly. It's astonishing that a film has taken this long but at least it has been handled, finally, with the respect and detail it deserved. The performances are very strong, David Oyelowo is utterly convincing as Dr. King. He demands the attention of the audience without effort. The supporting cast is one of the most impressive in recent years, I particularly liked the rapper and sometimes actor Common. He's always good, even in the terrible films he's been in, so it's nice to see him in something great. Selma doesn't need award nominations, it's a brilliant film with or without them and people who see it will know this.