Melodrama

Melodrama: a drama accompanied by music, having deep emotional or theatrical qualities. This week we took a look at melodrama both as a genre and as a modal for making films. Watching the silent melodrama Redskin (1929) characterizes quite a few aspects of melodrama, two are the emphasis on the emotional through close-ups and highlighting a political issue.

In light of the silent nature of the film a heavy responsibility is placed on the actors to convey emotions through their facial expressions and body language. The film Redskin often brought close-ups of faces to magnify their feeling. One scene in particular that I am thinking of is prior to the dance, Corn Blossom (played by Gladys Belmont) being summoned home by her parents Wing Foot (Richard Dix) is begging to go with her. He is torn by the responsibly to stay and she wanting to be with her mother and the love of her life is torn as well. The director, James Young Deer, cut from his face to her face to dialogue and then back and forth again. Because we cant actually hear what they’re saying its extremely important that we are to feel the struggle that both our main characters are feeling through their faces.

Melodramas often take on a political stance and attempt to shed light on the injustices of the world. In Redskin the harsh realities of Indian Boarding schools and the assimilation of Indians into the “cultured” world is shown as failing, Wing Foot unable to relate to either the white world or his own Navajo culture. Redskin promotes the joining of two Indian cultures, the Pueblo and the Navajo, through the union of Corm Blossom and Wing Foot. It also shows both the good and evil sides of white interactions with Indians. The evil, in the altercation at the dance between Wing Foot and the jocks; and the good in the school teachers reluctance to love the ranger unless he can respect the Indian children also he and her helping Corn Blossom escape from her parents refusal to let her be with Wing Foot.

Over all I loved the movie Redskin, it’s the first movie we have seen so far that has true character progression following Wing Foot and Corn Blossom from their childhood beginnings to a fully formed relationship that brings together two tribal nations and triumphs over their oppression in the city. The advancement in color, showing beautiful scenes of New Mexico and intricately woven fabrics, was outstanding for the time.

"Within our Gates" Critque

In the film “Within out Gates” the heroine is a young black woman named Sylvia Landry, an uncommon one for the era. Highlighting the fact that she is both African American and a woman, the movie’s central plot is about her life. Some of the themes addressed are educating blacks to rise up in society and money as power. Also this is the first film where we have seen character development and creation.

Many times throughout the movie it is mentioned that if you get education you can rise up out of the poverty and abuse. The worker who brings his children to the school in the south wants them to be educated so that they will help society. “Without schooling we ain’t amount to nothing.” When Sylvia comes home to the Landry’s and is able to do their books, they think they well be able to not be cheated anymore.

When the school threatens to close we have a glimpse of how having money can affect your ability to get an education. Mrs. Warwick, having a great deal of money, is in a position of power and is able to decide the fate of the school in the south. This is another instance of how women are highlighted in strong roles. It is her money to do with as she pleases, there is no discussion between her and her husband if she has any. She is simply able to make her mind up for herself.

Through out the movie this is the first time in film where we have seen any real character development. Micheaux offers close ups of expressions and flash backs that allow us to begin to sympathize more closely with the characters. We see the lynching and suffering that Sylvia experienced as a young woman and we hope that the money she needs for the school comes through and that she and Dr. Vivian are able to be reunited after she loses out on a opportunity with Conrad.

Over all I think that this idealistic world that Micheaux creates on film is a catalyst for progress. I personally feel that the media and Hollywood have the ability to transform our thinking and can guide us in any direction. Micheaux does a fantastic job of doing so for his era and audience.