Difference between revisions of "Higher Learning (1995)"

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[[Category: Black Racism in Drama Movies]]

Revision as of 07:14, 3 January 2021

Higher Learning Movie Poster

Higher Learning is American drama film written and directed by John Singleton who released on January 11, 1995 in United State. This 127 minutes film tells the racial and sexual prejudices that color life on a microcosmic college campus turns out to be an inadvertent example of the same small-mindedness that it deplores. All can be judged at face value here, from beer-swilling white fraternity boys to rap-loving black students threatened by the campus police[1] who starring

Plot

Higher Learning scene

This drama explores the intimate, political, and racial dilemmas faced by a group of new college students as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik Williams is an African-American student on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he's hoping that his athletic ability will give him a free ride to college. Fudge, a "professional student" who has been in Columbus for six years, becomes a friend of Malik's and questions his views on race and politics in America, while Professor Maurice Phipps, a black man who teaches political science, firmly assures Malik that he will not be ranked differently either because of his race or his ability to run fast. With Deja (Tyra Banks), Malik has found a girlfriend, a mentor, and a training partner all rolled into one.

In the meantime, Kristen Connor, a very naive young woman from California, encounters a boy named Billy (Jay R. Ferguson) after having had too much to drink at a beer blast. Kristen eventually became a victim of a date rape and became involved with a feminist campus organization to cope with a traumatic encounter. While working with the women's group, Kristen gets to know Taryn, a strong yet understanding woman who is also a lesbian, and she finds herself appealing to her. And Remy is a troubled young man from Idaho who feels lost in the multicultural atmosphere of Columbus. He is approached by Scott Moss (Cole Hauser), a member of a group of racist skinheads who claim that Remy is the best candidate to help his group achieve its violent goals.[2]

Pros

Higher Learning cast

Higher Learning wasn't about him (John Singleton). It was a lot bigger. Higher Learning was about America.  His most prescient job, Higher Learning, mirrored the misgivings of American society, reflecting the depth of the chasm generated by the country's social structures. [3]

I make films because I have something to say and I have a vision of what I want to get across,” he also say on Hollywoodreporter.com “They want black people to be who they want them to be, as opposed to what they are.” and answered, “They’re trying to. They’re always trying to.” When the interviewer asked him if he felt the studios were trying to limit his freedom as a director. Black directors, he explained, are only given so much funding and such high expectations and there are few people who stand up for them.[4] -John Singelton as a DIrector.

And for Roger Ebert who likes the idea that the campus should encourage students from various races and locations to get to know each other instead of sharing them in rigid self-righteousness. [5] (give 3 stars out of 5)

Controversy

Brad Laidman on Filmthreat.com thought every black who made movie had to have some imprtant message about the state of race in America. "But surprisingly, it’s just as much a gang movie"[6]

"He (John Singleton) to try again" from Mick LaSalle, who think that it seems misguided and his previous film is better than this. "It may take more time before the 27-year-old Singleton is able to reach the same heights as an experienced film maker that he reached with such spontaneity and honesty in his first film. In the meantime, "Higher Learning" does not point in a fruitful direction. The greatness of "Boyz N the Hood" had little to do with the fact that it was the kind of movie people expect from a black film maker. It was great because Singleton gave us something he knew about and felt strongly about. He needs to try that again."[7]

This film is just awkward. It's got a wonderful message to send, but it just beats you over your head. The film asks some very interesting questions, but sometimes it's all over the top and obnoxious.[8]

It also shows when the cops mistreat black students and many of the white students express racist micro-aggressions by calling black students “gang members” just because they see black face.[9]

Reference