Get Out, or maybe Stay a while?

I primarily am someone who indulges more in music more than film. For the most part I probably attend the cinema once every calendar year. To further emphasise my lack of enthusiasm, the last film I went to watch at the the cinema was Dirty Grandpa. So You're probably right in assuming that a trip to my local movie theatre was long overdue. Luckily I was able to grab some FREE tickets to a preview screening of "Get Out" courtesy of Show Film First.

The film was first brought to my attention by randomly coming across the trailer on YouTube, and then later that day during an episode of Joe Budden's I'll name This Podcast Later. They discussed all eagerly anticipating its release. I can usually rely on Joey, Rory and Mal for honest commentary in regards to most things, so I mildly entertained the idea of going to see it.

Anybody that knows me can vouch not only am I not a Film guy, I am  also the guy who despises Action Thrillers and Horror flicks especially. Give me a Non fictional/Biographical film or better still Comedy/Romantic Comedy any day of the week! Some of my favourite films include "Paid in Full" "Goodfellas" "The Wood" and you can't sleep on "Love & Basketball" 

Growing up "Top Gun" or "Ghostbusters" were my go to Action films! In regards to horror movies I am in the age group where I wasn't old enough to watch films like IT, Child's Play or Nightmare on Elm Street independently, however I had older cousins who were, and would enjoy taunting us younger ones on those Friday night sleepovers. Not mentioning no names but they would slap in that Pirate VCR Tape often with no label, turn off the lights, and pretty much scare the shit out of us! Looking back those are fond memories but despite the old west indian proverb "Duppy Know who fi frighten!" take me back to 1992 and I was genuinely afraid of the dark, Chucky and Freddy Kruger.  

Modern Horror films for me personally haven't encapsulated the essence of what the horrors did when I was growing up. Increasing the levels of gore and amazing SGI effects will never elicit the same negative emotions, and this is mainly why I tend to avoid them. I know what question is coming next, "So why are you going to watch Get Out?" Well, a few close friends of mine had also booked tickets and with our busy schedules any opportunity to meet up as a group is welcomed, also did I mention that it was free! The pound is at an all time low so excuse my trepidation in regards to spending my hard earned cash.

The trailer for "Get Out" leans on all the trademark conventions for a Horror flick trailer; music that indicates a frightful moment is about to commence; credits interrupting action; disruption of normality; appearance of authority usually police, denoting Good vs Evil; Showing all the best parts of the film (which is my favourite).

Despite all of these overwhelming horror characteristics, if you know anything about the film's director Jordan Peele then be warned that his background is comedy. Not to give too much away but it would be a shock for you not to be humoured by some parts of the film. Key & Peele's sketches have become prime viewing on America's Comedy Central network, with their satirical spin on popular culture and race relations.

With the socio-economic climate in America being extremely turbulent since President Trump's election, Jordan Peele's "Get Out" is being released at the perfect time to not only capitalise off of the uncertainty, but more importantly raise discussion and dialogue over some wider issues that probably don't go under the microscope as often others.

In 2017 interracial relationships are common place, you walk down any street any where in the civilised world and you're likely to see an interracial couple, or a mixed raced child. Long gone are the days where the first West Indian men who settled here having to travel to different corners of London to engage secretly with white women. 

I feel we've come full circle to a point within the black community where some males openly champion abandoning our Black women in favour of interracial relationships. I will keep my personal feelings on the matter personal, however this is a far contrast to what our grandparents were accustomed to.

As much as it is now deemed acceptable to be in an interracial relationship where you and your partner can co exist harmoniously, questions still need to be asked in regards to how your immediate families will react. Despite the world at work being liberal and open minded some people still come from households with misconceptions about other backgrounds.

I feel that as humans we deal with racial/cultural differences on three levels misconceptions, racism and prejudice:

Misconceptions are stereotypes are things that occur in everyday life, and may vary from race to race/culture to culture for instance; the funny misconception Americans have that all British people "drink tea and know the Queen". 

I believe racism is an innate predisposition to place an importance of your own, over another. My upbringing has given me an inherent pride in being black, this also is coupled with having love for other Black people, without detracting from a love for humans in general. This pride isn't always necessarily a reflection of your parents view or distaste for other races. An example of racism is how black people disapprove of Caucasian people's preparation of food. 

Deep down I feel every human may have racist thought processes or question differences between racial backgrounds however, when this starts to negatively affect how you deal  and interact with people on a day to day basis this is no longer racism, but prejudice.       

The concept of racism is one that can be discussed for days, but Jordan Peele's approach to tackling the issue is very unique and has been done in a very abrupt manner, yet you won't come away feeling  too despondent.

The movie from the beginning places you in the midst of a very realistic situation for lot of people. Taking your black boyfriend to your parent's house for the first time, but them not knowing you're dating outside of your race. Don't worry this isn't going to be a spoiler as I hate when it happens to me. In saying that the plot of the film is pretty straight forward, and you can gauge from the trailer what it is all about.

The story line doesn't have any real dramatic twists, nor do we really get familiarised with any of the characters in any depth aside from the lead, Chris Washington.   The role is played by Londoner  Daniel Kaluuya who you may recognise from  the TV show "Skins". The "now sink into the floor" scene is a visual representation of Peele allowing us to get submerged in the psyche of his main character, if only for a brief moment.

This is just one example of the techniques Jordan Peele uses throughout to explore certain issues. He barely scratches the surface in most instances and even when he  does it is usually delivered in a very chilling yet lighthearted manner. For example in one scene an older white lady is admiring Chris's physical prowess and even goes as far as to asking Chris's girlfriend Rose "What's it like?" whilst feeling his arms provocatively.  

Overall the film offers a candid perspective from both sides of the proverbial coin; The stereotypes attached to Black Males by white people and also The Black male's fear of White figures of authority. 

As a mixed raced man who has also married a white woman Peele's motivation for bringing some of these topics to the forefront of social discussion is  heavily debated but still palpable. When you date outside of your race there are a number things that you have to consider, and ultimately might affect your decisions. Fear of acceptance, and also being shunned by members of your own community are the glaringly obvious ones.

I feel despite the criticism from Iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson, Peele's decision to cast Kaluuya was a very good one. His performance characterised the manifestation of paranoia and insecurity that lie within a lot of Black males in America perfectly. With Racial/Cultural tensions being at an all time I feel that Jordan Peele has successfully managed to bring these nuances to the cinema in the format of a conventional horror film. The box office numbers are testament to this, $100m in the first weekend isn't bad for your first time directing a movie.

You have to go back to Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" to find a film take is triggering such conversations, so make sure that you to get to a cinema  and see what all the fuss is about for yourself. "Get Out" will be in cinemas across the UK on the 17th of March.