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American History

Movie American History Director Tony Kay Producer na Cinematographer na Music na

`AMERICAN History X` is one of those rare films that changes` yourperspective on life. It is a deeply shocking yet stimulating look at racismin the United States. Hate can be as pure as love. That`s the thread thatruns through this movie. It has definitely hit a raw nerve in the US whereracism still smoulders under the mask of democracy and equality. Hope it will pack the same punch in India. This film is definitely wortha dekkho. It explores racial tensions where blacks are slowly butsurely filling up every nook and corner of small-town America only to makethe whites feel belligerent and uprooted from what they consider to be theirturf. Tension is brewing and things come to a head. Edward Norton, who is by far the most talented of any upcoming actors,plays Derek Vinyard, a youth who is jailed for three years after killing twoblack youth who were trying to steal his car while his horrified youngerbrother looks on. The film opens with Derek`s release. The younger brotherDanny (Edward Furlong) has become a skinhead with much encouragement fromlocal extreme racists Cameron and Seth. Derek, who is now a reformed man, is devastated by Danny`s deterioration.His mission now is to cleanse his brother of all hatred that has beeninstilled in him. And that`s harder said than done. A brilliant debut by director Tony Kaye as well as by freshmanscreenwriter David McKenna. Full marks to them. The juxtaposition of thepast, shown in black and white, with the present in colour, though oft-used,has its effect. The entire cast is outstanding. Edward Furlong will no doubtbe around for a long time if he continues to display such depth. However, the film`s success must go to Edward Norton. Even though theconcept of a white supremacist reforming in prison is hard to swallow,Norton somehow makes it believable. He is truly the actor of his generation.