|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
paul robeson here i stand | Year: 1999 Classification: Foreign Film - French Directed: - St. Claire Bourne ARTISTIC GIANT Actor, singer, athlete, lawyer and activist are just a few of the titles bestowed on one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 20th century. Regaled by many and reviled by some Paul Robeson, the son of a slave, stands out as an artist who intergrated his art as a form of activism against the injustices perpetrated on those who are powereless. Here I Stand is a cinematic chronicle of Paul Robeson's life as seen through the eyes of himself, his colleagues, children, film critics and historians. The chronicle of his life begins in New Jersey where is is raised by his father a minister in the Presbyterian Church and later the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church. From him, young Paul is taught to be fearless and strive for excellence in whatever he does. Those values laid the foundation of what he was to become. When he leaves New Jersey and goes to New York for law school, Paul finds himself hitting the glass ceiling of a white law firm and eventually is encouraged by his wife to seek an acting career. It is in singing and acting that Paul finds his true calling. One of the great strengths of this video is its analysis of his acting career on stage and in the movies. Paul failed in the movies not because of lack of talent but because of the refusal of the industry to give him roles that weren't stereotypical of Black people. His singing increases his popularity abroad and soon he becomes politicized to the problems of the disinfranchised. It is from this experience that the activist Paul Robeson emerges. All through the film we see his growth as an activist and his firm refusal to back down. Even more thrilling is his defiance against government authority determined to keep him in his place but like old man river, he keeps rolling along. He keeps going inspite of his passport taken away, the constant hounding by the FBI, his concert career broken for close to ten years and the deterioration of his health. Through it all, he maintains his dignity and refuses to bow. He is an inspiration as to what Black men and women should be. There are critical assessments of him concerning his marriage and refusal to denounce Stalin but even those merely tell us he was a man of his times flawed like any other. Yet he remains for us a giant of his time. Captures all of the major issues The content of this film has already been discussed, but fans will be pleased that most of the major issues dealing with Robeson, his career, and the controversy are all handled well in the allotted time. It also does not shy from some of the less flattering aspects of his career (such as his actual knowledge of Stalin's crimes, but his refusal to openly speak on this because he felt his bigger enemies were at home), but this is handled well and you come away with a good idea of what the man was about in his outspokenness on issues of oppressed people. Only monor complaint is the lack of special features on this DVD, but overall, it's worth the money. An Excellent Introduction to the Man This "American Masters" volume directed by St. Clair Bourne is an excellent centennial introduction to the life and times of Paul Robeson, one of the greatest Americans of the twentieth century. The video's content has already been discussed by other reviewers and I have nothing to add on that score, other than to recommend three other fine books that people interested in finding out more might enjoy. First is Martin Bauml Duberman's biography of Robeson, published in 1989. This is the best single source. Second is Philip Foner's excellent "Paul Robeson Speaks" which contains a collection of Robeson's writings and speeches, as well as an excellent chronology. Particularly noteworthy is the transcript of Robeson's testimony before the House Unamerican Activities Committtee. Third is Robeson's own book "Here I Stand," a small but very valuable volume with enduring insights about America and the world. O.K., there's also a fourth. Paul Robeson Jr. has written an excellent new book about his father that is worth checking out. You should be able to find these books (Foner's book may be out of print) on Amazon. Buy Paul Robeson Here I Stand at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Paul Robeson Here I Stand Search with the Priority Search Engine on Paul Robeson Here I Stand This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
