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In the world of film so far this year, Ava DuVernay’s Academy Award nominated Selma triumphs.
It is not just another biopic; it is an honest, brutal and inspiring story of one man’s dream to allow black American citizens the right to vote.
It is a beautiful tribute to the brave and life-changing work Martin Luther King Jr. died for.
DuVernay perfectly depicts humanity at its worst – and at its best.
Selma is led by David Oyelowo’s uncanny performance as King; a man with incredible strength, courage and determination.
A man with a purpose.
Oyelowo missing out on an Oscar nomination is criminal. He deserves to be recognised for his impeccable portrayal of a hero. Watching Oyelowo is like turning back the clocks to 1965 and seeing both the power and frustration of a man wanting only the same basic human rights he sees among the white citizens in his country.
He delivers King’s speeches with complete perfection, making you want to stand up and fight for the inequality you see around you every single day.
Alongside Oyelowo are countless actors and actresses who deserve the recognition they are failing to receive.
The wonderful Common, Oprah Winfrey, Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson, André Holland and Carmen Ejogo are among the many incredible performances in a film bursting with flawless talent.
Winfrey especially has shown her unbelievable talents as an actress in both Selma and The Butler (2013).
Acting aside, DuVernay’s lack of recognition for Selma is outrageous.
She has brought to the spotlight a film unafraid to show the reality of the violence and brutality that Martin Luther King Jr. was striving to stop.
Selma shocks from beginning to end, making you feel uncomfortable and disgusted by the lack of basic humanity in a world so far away from harmony, while it also lets you celebrate King’s pivotal triumph.
John Legend’s Academy Award nominated soundtrack ‘Glory’ brings Selma to an end. It is a perfect finish to a cinematic masterpiece that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema.
The tag line reads “One dream can change the world.”
It can, and it did.
Selma is a film of profound importance – one that excels in bringing Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy to the big screen.