MLK/FBI: Difference between revisions
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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The film explores the investigation and harassment of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] by [[The Federal Bureau of Investigation]], through newly declassified documents. Beverly Gage, [[David J. Garrow]], [[Andrew Young]], Donna Murch, [[James Comey]], [[Clarence B. Jones|Clarence Jones]], [[Charles Knox]] and Marc Perrusquia appear in the film. |
The film explores the investigation and harassment of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] by [[The Federal Bureau of Investigation]], through newly declassified documents. Beverly Gage, [[David J. Garrow]], [[Andrew Young]], Donna Murch, [[James Comey]], [[Clarence B. Jones|Clarence Jones]], [[Charles Knox]] and Marc Perrusquia appear in the film. |
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Much of the documentary utilizes archival footage of MLK between 1955 and 1968, the years of his work as a [[Civil Rights]] activist on behalf of the [[Negro]] people, as referenced. It is largely chronological, so we see a young MLK through the earl sixties until [[1968]] when he is assassinated No additional details are revealed about that assassination that are not otherwise commonly known. The last sequence makes the statement that not all FBI documents have been declassified, and that the whole record will be declassified and made available to the public in 2027. |
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[[J Edgar Hoover]]'s vendetta against MLK and black people in general is covered well. The documentary does a better job than prior documentaries about the life of MLK, treating the FBI's malicious attack to discredit him by collecting recordings and images of his private sexual life with women other than his wife, in the hopes of of dethroning him as the leader of the black people, so undermining the [[Civil Rights Movement]]. There is a stark contrast between the thoroughly white complexion of the FBI and the many crowds of black people assembled around MLK. |
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==Release== |
==Release== |
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Revision as of 03:56, 19 January 2021
| MLK/FBI | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Sam Pollard |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Benjamin Hedin |
| Cinematography | Robert Chappell |
| Edited by | Laura Tomaselli |
| Music by | Gerald Clayton |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | IFC Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 104 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $33,250[2][3] |
MLK/FBI is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Sam Pollard (known for co-directing the 1987 Oscar-nominated Eyes on the Prize), from a screenplay by Benjamin Hedin and Laura Tomaselli. It follows Martin Luther King Jr. as he is investigated and harassed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[4] It is currently the ninth highest-grossing film of 2021.
Plot
The film explores the investigation and harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. by The Federal Bureau of Investigation, through newly declassified documents. Beverly Gage, David J. Garrow, Andrew Young, Donna Murch, James Comey, Clarence Jones, Charles Knox and Marc Perrusquia appear in the film.
Much of the documentary utilizes archival footage of MLK between 1955 and 1968, the years of his work as a Civil Rights activist on behalf of the Negro people, as referenced. It is largely chronological, so we see a young MLK through the earl sixties until 1968 when he is assassinated No additional details are revealed about that assassination that are not otherwise commonly known. The last sequence makes the statement that not all FBI documents have been declassified, and that the whole record will be declassified and made available to the public in 2027.
J Edgar Hoover's vendetta against MLK and black people in general is covered well. The documentary does a better job than prior documentaries about the life of MLK, treating the FBI's malicious attack to discredit him by collecting recordings and images of his private sexual life with women other than his wife, in the hopes of of dethroning him as the leader of the black people, so undermining the Civil Rights Movement. There is a stark contrast between the thoroughly white complexion of the FBI and the many crowds of black people assembled around MLK.
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.[5] It screened at the 2020 New York Film Festival[6] and was scheduled to be one of the closing night films at the San Diego International Film Festival in October.[7]
IFC Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film and set a release date for January 15, 2021.[8]
Reception
Critical response
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 99% based on 95 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "MLK/FBI presents a sobering overview of the American intelligence community's efforts to discredit and destroy a leader of the civil rights movement."[9] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]
Accolades
MLK/FBI won the Best Documentary Award at the San Diego International Film Festival in October 2020.[11]
References
- ^ "MLK/FBI". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "MLK/FBI (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "MLK/FBI (2021)". The Numbers. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Documentary Exposes How The FBI Tried To Destroy MLK With Wiretaps, Blackmail : NPR
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (July 30, 2020). "Toronto Sets 2020 Lineup: Werner Herzog, Regina King, Mira Nair, Francois Ozon, Naomi Kawase Titles Join Hybrid Edition". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "MLK/FBI". New York Film Festival. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 15, 2020). "IFC Acquires North America On 'MLK/FBI' Docu About Harassment Of Civil Rights Icon By FBI – Toronto". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "MLK/FBI (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "MLK/FBI Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "2020 Filmmaker Awards | San Diego International Film Festival". 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
External links
- MLK/FBI at IMDb
- MLK/FBI at Rotten Tomatoes
- MLK/FBI at Metacritic