“I’m a Revolutionary” – shouted impetuously over and over again, activist Fred Hampton in one of Judas and the Black Messiah, The new Warner Bros. film that premieres this week in theaters and simultaneously on the HBO Max platform.
That phrase became the war cry of the leader of the Chicago chapter of the revolutionary organization “The Black Panthers,” which today advocates for the rights of the African American community in the United States. The powerful drama stars Daniel Kaluuya in the role of Hampton (nominated for a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor for this performance) and LaKeith Stanfield, who plays William O’Neal, a criminal who becomes an informant. of the FBI to infiltrate the activist-led organization in order to dismantle.
At the height of the civil rights struggle, this organization became the target of the FBI, particularly Hampton, who was considered a threat to national security, pursuing the point of killing its 21-year-old age.
The exceptional film produced by Charles D. King (Fences, sorry for bothering youRyan CooglerI think, Black Panther) And directed by Shaka King (New herbs), Is intended to present how the stories of these two characters intersect and the impact it has on each other’s personal motivations.
The screenplay by King and Will Berson presents the stories of two characters and how the FBI’s high-profile fixation was fierce against this group with the clear intention of dismantling by highlighting the institutional corruption and racism that still it resonates strongly. The filmmaker immerses us in the historical context from the beginning thanks to an effective archive footage to provide more veracity to the project, with images of riots, the assassination of Martin Luther King and an interview with O’Neal, who gives foot to this shocking story that unfolds in the ’60s.
Judas and the Black Messiah joins a select handful of tapes released in recent months, which explore issues of inequality, injustice and oppression, from different perspectives, such as the great The Chicago Trial 7 i Manglera with similar emotional effects.
In addition to a great direction that presents with equal balance both stories, artistic direction, musical selection and great cinematography; it is the performances that mesmerize, especially Kaluuya, who achieves a terrifying performance by combining Hampton’s passion and eloquence during public events, while looking more measured in his private life, as in his relationship with Deborah Johnson, a militant who ends up becoming their partner, a character who provides the emotional center of the relationship; impacting Hampton’s public life, in a magnetic interpretation by Dominique Fishback (Power of the project), A young actress with a promising future.
On the other hand, Stanfield (Come out, knives, sorry to bother you) He continues to prove why he is one of the most complete young actors of this generation. The complex duality of O’Neal’s character that even within his coldness, shows touches of humanity as he debates between loyalty to his people versus commitment to his superiors, cause his performance authentic record and at the height of Kaluuya.
Watch the trailer: