7. Field Niggas; movie review

FIELD NIGGAS
Cert TBA
60 mins
BBFC advice TBA

Oh no, the 'n' word.
It's ok for Khalik Allah to use it in the title of his documentary but I am already quivering over whether I can take his lead on social media.
I have to say I don't understand why black people spread it around so liberally and yet would take deep offence if I did the same.
As far as I am aware, it is the only word in the English language which can only be spoken by one race but not any others.
Let me be clear, I had absolutely no desire to speak, write or type the 'n' word and yet here it is above this blog.
It strikes me that the world would be a better place without it. I don't know why anyone would seek ownership of it, least of all those at whom it was originally aimed.
Surely, they should be more aspirational - or have they simply accepted their role in the lower 'cast' where Khalik believes they have found themselves.
His documentary filmed on the streets of Harlem in 2014, is unusual and his images are both startling and beautiful but the words of his subjects made me want to cry.
Khalik is a high quality photographer who hones in on creased portraits, playing their raw, often incoherent commentary, riddled with the 'n' and 'f' words, behind the images.
The result is a movie which initially feels out of sync but gradually becomes very compelling.
I have to be honest and admit that I was so engrossed because almost every contributor was high on drink or drugs or had mental health issues.
Their rolling eyes and gurned up faces shocked me as did my fear that those who didn't seem plagued by addiction might have the same fate in store.
This is an arresting visage of an America which the politicians do not want the rest of the world to see.
These citizens of the so-called land of the free are imprisoned by poverty and lack of hope. The adults are drug addicts and their children are condemned to follow in their erratic footsteps.
Meanwhile, the police are seen as the enemy, probably with some justification.
Khalik Allah is admired by this who live in Harlem and that is probably why they seem so at ease with his camera pointed at them.
"I love his pictures. His pictures are all real life...put together how he do it," said one young woman.
They certainly are real life but, mercifully, not as all of us know it.


Reasons to watch: an arresting portrait of the disenfranchised
Reasons to avoid: the split of sound and vision is slightly off-putting.

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Director quote Khalik Allah: "You've got these two different slaves and basically separating one group of people and put them in a cast system and they are going to bicker and fight within themselves."

The big question: Who is allowed to use the 'n' word?

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