Malcolm X was one of the important figures in the African-American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The film faithfully records the major events in his life in the 20 years since he worked hard at the age of 18 and was assassinated at the age of 39. He started working around first and then joined the gang; although he was not a big gangster, he did nothing less to swindle chickens and thieves into drug and prostitution. Finally, he was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for burglary and his life fell into the bottom of his life. In prison, he was under the influence of a self-taught inmate and began to study desperately; more importantly, his brothers and sisters successively recommended to him in their letters a Nation of Islam (Nation of Islam, NOI) religious organization (the film attributed the credit for these two things to the same person, and this person later helped Malcolm to leave the organization). NOI is a branch of Islam created by black people. In addition to teaching people to abstain from drugs and alcohol, modestly and politely believe in Allah, it also advocates Black nationalism (Black nationalism), black national self-determination (Self-determination), black separatism, Even Reverse racism against whites, these doctrines are undoubtedly very attractive to a young black man who is lost and has nowhere to vent and lives at the bottom, not to mention Malcolm's father who died young has similar claims. . The film explains the process of Malcolm's conversion to Muslims very quickly (about 7 minutes). In fact, he communicated with Elijah Muhammad many times in prison, which is why the apparition of the leader was born. Malcolm was released on early bail after seven years in prison. He went to the Chicago headquarters to meet Elijah Muhammad, who suggested that he change his surname to X, which means to abandon the shameful slavery status and trace back to the more distant African origins. The rest is the same as in the movie: he quickly became a core member of NOI, he led a crowd to demonstrate at the police station and became a public figure in one fell swoop, he made speeches across the country to convey Muhammad’s will, and he met his wife and proposed marriage at the phone booth. He was internally blocked for making inappropriate remarks about Kennedy's assassination. He was frustrated by Muhammad's affair with many women and was ostracized by the top management of the organization. A pilgrimage to Mecca made him aware of his past racist mistakes. He began to revise and repent of his doctrines and joined the orthodox Sunni Islam, but still supported Pan-Africanism. Obviously, his apostasy cannot be accommodated by NOI. After successive car bombs and arson burning the house failed, on February 21, 1965, Malcolm was shot 21 times on the podium and died at the age of 39. Malcolm's life is short and rich. His name is not only linked to negative words such as Black supremacy, Antisemitism, and Afrocentrism, but also to Black power and Black glory. pride) and other positive thoughts. Three years after Malcolm was killed, Martin Luther King was also assassinated at the age of 39. Although the two did not agree with each other's claims, they were remembered by the world as leaders and martyrs of the civil rights movement.
To be honest, such a controversial figure, such a sensitive topic, and such a large time span, it is hard to control it. Spike Lee’s preparations were done very well, and Malcolm’s widow, Betty Sanders, was invited to serve as a consultant for the film, making the film faithful to historical facts and comprehensive in terms of highlights. What's more commendable is that his views are basically neutral, which makes black and white people not disgusted with it. The film was later included in the National Film List. This is the second time that Spike Lee's work has won this honor.
Although the candidates for the director are repeated, Denzel Washington has always been the first candidate to play Malcolm X. He was the same age as Malcolm when he was assassinated. His father was both a priest and both were raised by his mother. More importantly, he had previously played Malcolm in a stage play and was well received. For this film, Denzel Washington did a more in-depth research, trying to figure out Malcolm's video, and the final performance was both deceptive and deceptive, ranging from stunned to gangsters to converts to speakers to leaders to self-doubt. . He won the Berlin Silver Bear Award and got his third Oscar and Golden Globe nominations in 6 years, but he lost to Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman". He will not become the second black Oscar actor in history until "Training Day" ten years later.
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