Freedom on Films
Freedom is a word with infinite connotations. What I consider a story about freedom may blatantly state it as a main theme or just be a part of my own interpretation. I truly believe that a film about freedom is not limited to a plot about breaking out of prison or the freedom of speech or a dystopia where your every single move is controlled. Every single film that leaves a person somber over their lack of freedom, ecstatic over a new-found sense of self liberation or just empathetic towards someone elses situation is a film about freedom to me. Here are some of my favorites.
12 Years A Slave
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Brad Pitt
If you are looking for an entertaining and lighthearted film to watch you might want to skip this one. 12 Years a Slave is a more traditional story about freedom but one of the most innovatively shot and emotionally heavy. We follow Solomon Northup, a free African American man as he gets kidnapped and sold into slavery. 12 Years a Slave is director Steve McQueen’s third film. McQueen has never shied away from depicting disturbing subject matters in unflinching honesty in his previous films Hunger, the story of the 1981 IRA hunger strike, and Shame, a film that explores sex addiction. As you can see the director has a knack for dark, heartbreaking stories and 12 Years a Slave is no exception. As we witness Solomon suffer through endless abuse, humiliation and pain we root for him and want him to get his unfairly stolen freedom back at any cost. The titular 12 years is also felt by the audience. McQueen uses long takes to emphasize how endless these years seem and only heightens our immersion into the film. Solomon’s yearning for freedom not only resonates with us, it makes us put ourselves into his shoes. It makes us grateful and scared and most importantly reminds us how essential freedom is.
Birdman
Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan
One year after 12 Years A Slave another thought provoking movie took home the Best Picture Academy Award. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is about Riggan Thomson, a superhero movie star who tries to revitalize his career by writing, directing and starring in a hopefully critically acclaimed play. Now this is certainly a more unorthodox choice but I truly believe this film represents the ways we limit our own freedom. Riggan’s famous superhero persona Birdman haunts him and we can infer that it has become a part of his personality. The play is his attempt to break free of the hold that Birdman or being branded as just an action star and not a real actor along with all of his past mistakes has on him. We watch Riggan struggle with his drug addict daughter, girlfriend, arrogant co-star and ex-wife, wondering if he’ll ever be in a position to actually mend these relationships if he doesn’t come in term with himself first. Edited to look like one single shot, Birdman visually never disappoints and the magical realism element only makes the experience more mesmerizing. The last shot of Birdman (no spoilers) is one of the best visual representations of freedom I have ever seen.
The Post
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Carrie Coon
The Post tells the story of the Washington Post attempting to expose one of the biggest cover-ups in US history. This film is set in the 70s but journalists of today are still in danger simply because they want to share information with the public and voice their opinions. For this reason and many more I find The Post to be a very relevant film for the political climate of today. It reminds us to hold onto our freedom of speech matter what and makes sure we get that message while we also enjoy ourselves. Even though the first half is quite slow the film never falters in terms of acting and dialogue. Meryl Streep is as always a screen stealer and needless to say, one of the best aspects of the film. Like I said, build up to the more exciting part of The Post might be a bit long for some but the wait is definitely worth it. It’s also evident by the third act that the pay off is going to be extremely satisfying, and it is. Also, the very end of the film will definitely amuse you or in case you’re like me; it will make you grin like an idiot.
Yasemin Kopmaz