Movie Review
In honor of Black History Month, this week’s movie review is about the documentary “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners.” Often times, we overlook incredible female activists and scholars. “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” spotlights one such activist, telling the story of Angela Davis, who was born on January 26, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama. While studying in San Diego, California, Davis became active in the Civil Rights Movement by joining both the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Black Panthers. Ms. Davis soon became a scholar, professor and member of the Communist Party. She has worked as an activist for civil rights, women’s rights and advocated for prison reform. She also wrote a book called “Women, Race and Class,” which focused on her areas of expertise. Like many activists during her time, Angela Davis was unjustly jailed.
The film highlights all of the political manipulation, violence and fear-mongering that an array of diverse social activists like Angela Davis experienced during the Civil Rights Movement.
“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” was released in 2012. Written and directed by Shola Lynch, the movie discusses Angela Davis’s journey as an activist and professor. The film details the actions and people that led her to unjustly be placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.
In 1970, Angela Davis was accused of murder and conspiracy following the Marin County Courthouse hostage conflict with the brother of the “Soledad Brother” and George Jackson. In the ensuing shootout portrayed in the documentary, we learn that Judge Harold Haley was killed with a gun that was registered under Davis’ name, leading to her arrest and firing from UCLA. The documentary includes a good balance of older and more modern clips. Lynch takes this culmination of clips and information to create a thrilling documentary that hooks you from the very first scene, perfectly encapsulating Angela Davis’s experiences and thoughts on her trials.
The film highlights all of the political manipulation, violence and fear-mongering that an array of diverse social activists like Angela Davis experienced during the Civil Rights Movement. This manipulation, racism and fear is brought to light in the documentary through the chronological portrayal of Davis’s work as an activist and as a member of the communist party and the Black Panthers. Aside from this, Shola Lynch also manages to create a well-rounded view of Davis. Aside from being a catalyst for change and a fighter for justice and equality, Davis was a person with real hopes, dreams and emotions. Though she was a remarkably strong and intelligent woman, Angela was also just like any regular person. The documentary briefly touches upon her romance with George Jackson, who, as a result of a lengthy imprisonment, became a prison activist and wrote the book “Blood in My Eye.” Sadly, Jackson died in a shooting before he reached 30. Certain parts of the film were intentionally vague. The viewer never learns how Jonathan Jackson got Angela’s guns or what happened to them. Still, the ending does reveal that Davis was found innocent on all charges.
In addition to its narrative, Shola Lynch also enlivens documentary with a phenomenal soundtrack. The songs are a mix of ancestral beats and elements of modern funk. The songs echo Lynch’s urgent message of desire for change. Through the portrayal of Angela Davis and her story, we are educated on the oppression and injustice enacted upon Black Americans by not only their fellow citizens, but the government as well. We learn throughout the documentary how government officials attempted to silence educated, strong, tenacious activists like Angela Davis and the communities they stood for. Most of all, we learn to love and have a deeper appreciation for the transcendent black woman, activist and professor that Angela Davis was and still is today.
Angela Davis once said, “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change… I’m changing the things I cannot accept.” During this month, and throughout the rest of the year, let us learn more about inspiring activists like Angela Davis and educate ourselves on what they fought for and what we can do to continue the work that they started.