The Green Pastures

1936

Added Attraction

REVELATIONS

This is a controversal film, not so much for its depiction of sacred events, but because of the question of racism in the film, hence the disclaimer at the start of the movie

Nature of context: context of time when film is made. How does that affect the film.

Some stereotypes: fish fry, picnic, 10 cent cigars, use of dialect.

What can we say about use of dialect in light of Ebonics discussions?

Do current movies often depict African Americans in a stereotypic way i.e. drug dealers, pimps? Do African American actors talk in a dialect or switch between SAE (standard American English and dialect. See Will Smith in Men in Black, I, Robot).

If Green Pastures should have a disclaimer for stereotyping should Men in Black?

Is the statement about rural Southerns (perhaps specifically Black) making the Bible fit what they know more insulting than the stereotypes? That is, is the implication that Blacks do this, but surely others have the right notion and don't organize the religion around what they see just the same? It is important to note that the United States is the most religous country in the West and the most fundamentalist country in the West. Extreme funsdamentalism requiring a literal interpretation of The Bible.

It has been argued that in some ways America has secularized religion but kept the institutions and that the "American Way of Life" has become the "sacred". This is a complex issue but should be given some thought relative to the films.

Revelations

Are there stereotypes here too? Women with fans in church, making small talk, “Wadin’ in the Water”, etc.

Does Alvin Ailey take common or typical gestures and raise them to a level of an art form? Does Green Pastures?

Compare this with Moonstruck – is it stereotype or style?

Concept of God as presented to Sunday school students. God very human, approachable.

Film set in frame – allows audience to see community. People interact, help with children. Children are seen as children in that they are seen as having somewhat different behavior which they are not chastised for but encouraged to behave properly. How does this parallel God and people? Teacher indicates that he thought when he was small that God looked like his minister.

Similarly using Rex Ingram to play God, Adam and the soldier, Hezdrelimplies both Adam made in God’s image and also the idea that there is something divine in everyone.

God learns from people too - about mercy and the film ends with God’s understanding of mercy being realized through Christ.

Strong parallels with slavery and oppression in the U.S and also the depression which is happening at the time the film is made.Are these there in Revelations as well? What can you say about the songs chosen for the piece "I've Been Buked and I've Been Scorned", "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel", "Sinner Man" "Fix Me Jesus" and so on.

Importance of food – Noah invites God in for chicken etc.

Dance How does Ailey make use of the variables open to him on a stage?

What kind of problems occur in filming dance? In this case, the dance is on stage and not done specifically for a film (compare this with West Side Story)