It's hard to imagine an unpretentious "Moonlight" that won the Best Picture Oscar in 2017. There is no sensationalism, no inspiration, no perfect ending, or even no male protagonist. Some people say that this is a product of political correctness. But I personally think that the success of "Moonlight" is precisely because the director used the lens to tell us something. Instead of those fascinating philosophies and narrations to guide our lives, we hope that we can feel the real black life in America with our hearts.
The movie seems to be talking about the growth story of a man named Chiron. He seems to have no father and lives with a mother who sells her lust, and her mother is also addicted to drugs. The growth story of this man is not tortuous. This originally simple and somewhat shy boy was imprisoned because of school violence and grew up to be a drug lord. Here it is reminiscent of the 2009 Oscar for the best "Slumdog Millionaire". Like the Indian teenager, Chiron didn't get much, the kindness from society, and no one to guide him to the so-called right path. And in today's diversified society, it is difficult for you to define what is the right way. Is it to get a luxury car, a luxury house, a big golden tooth, and become a millionaire? Or have you sacrificed your life to save the world and all mankind? Or live upright?
The American dream of minorities, which itself carries a certain degree of deception. It is true that there are some very few people who finally stand in the position of the President of the United States. But more people endure the malice that life has against them. The former Chiron may think it is a very good thing to live like Juan. But when he relied on his own efforts and stood in the same position as Juan, his heart seemed to be empty. He wants to return to the ignorance he once was, to return to an ordinary life.
Because at that time, there is no need to be afraid, and there is no need to test the people around you for business. Kevin will chat with him about some trash talk, and if life is not easy, he can hide in Juan's house and watch the beautiful Teresa prepare the bed for him. But cruelly, this society believes that men always have to grow up, always have to take responsibility, make achievements, and create a comfortable home for those around them.
Thinking of this, it suddenly reminds me of the 1969 Oscar for the best "Midnight Cowboy". In these two films, we saw the confusion and struggle of young people in the small town, as well as the tragic childhood, and the destruction of society on the way of men's growth. It is related to the 2016 Oscar's best film "Focus", those male youths who were sexually assaulted by priests and caused abnormal behavior. It seems that Oscar's attention has once again returned to helping men to overcome some psychological and physical obstacles.
Different from the previous blood rush, this "Moonlight Boy" uses gay men as an entry point and uses the experience of a black man from the bottom to make us reflect on the people around us. We are not too good at it. Whether the men who express themselves have given enough tolerance and understanding. Because in this value society seems to be more and more convergent. Diversified thinking is still needed. They are the foundation that guarantees that this society is endless and colorful.
So I think the purpose of the director of "Moonlight" is to make people identify with something different. Not everyone can be happy, and not everyone can live the way they want. This society should tolerate failure and ordinary. And sometimes, under the lens of the movie, we should let our young people know what is the real society.
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