The Color of Film Collaborative

In light of the fact that deliberating on which film would be the perfect kicker for this month long fiesta has proven to be more difficult than per say, trying to guess which hand an octopus is holding something behind its back, I found it would be best to start with a film about the life of someone that hopefully everyone is familiar with; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Before I lose the attention of some readers who, like myself, may be tired of watching the same black and white documentaries since grade school know that this is not one of them. As an infusion of documentary footage and creative animation, this film projects the civil rights movement in a way that all ages can understand.

 

“Our Friend, Martin” (Rob Smiley, 1999, USA) produced by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and DIC Entertainment in collaboration with the family of Dr. King tours its audience through different stages in the life of Dr. King with an entertaining twist. In this animated feature film two sixth graders Miles (Robert Ri’chard) a black baseball fanatic and his best friend Randy (Lucas Black) a white teenager attending the same school travel back in time meeting Dr. King at several points during his life. Equipped with documented footage of King’s most highlighted moments “Our Friend, Martin” can be seen as an educators arsenal with a play button.

 

I do not encourage people to THINK about seeing this film because they simple HAVE to. “Our Friend, Martin” uncovers the essence of Black History Month and why it is celebrated every year. It embellishes the struggles of being a minority in a particularly racist time, and the pilgrimage that was taken to achieve equality among races. Remaining one of my favorite films of all time eleven years after seeing it, I am positive that everyone, particularly families, will appreciate this well made and at times controversial film.