MovieChat Forums > Dutchman Discussion > Intriguing premise: could it be remade?

Intriguing premise: could it be remade?

posted 19 years ago by samsan_lee
7 replies | jump to latest

What was unique about this film, was how Lula could manipulate Clay until his anger seethed. I think the point was to make black rage bared and naked, but upon rejection, bring it to the boiling point. This was a bit more straightforward than Crash. It was the elements of theater, a similar film called "the Incident" was about manipulating emotions in an enclosed area forcing the protagonists to confront their fears, prejudices. To a degree, 12 Angry Men also had similar confrontations.

in this post-Crash element, could this kind a film be remade?
remember, Lars Von Trier has another film called Manderlay coming this year (2005) which harbors similar racial elements of class and conflict.

[–] bpenman2020 18 years ago

Manderlay is Great, but I dont think that Dutchman could be remade without toning down the racial antagonism a bit - which essecially defeats the purpose of the film in the first place. People would not understand it, and neither would the critics.

Well, I am guessing you wont be responding because its been almost a year since this film has had anyone talking about it.

[–] ArmandoSerrano 18 years ago

I've always wanted to see this movie. I wish they'd show it on TCM.

[–] modica 16 years ago

only if it's called Crash pt II.

[–] Tom Sutpen 15 years ago

It could be remade; albeit by a low-budget, independent outfit (I mean really independent; not some major studio's boutique label). There's no way in HELL a major studio would go anywhere near it, though; not with Clay's speech at the end (I can see the memos now: "It's so divisive!"), and not without adding all kinds of backstory that would only dilute the sheer poetic brilliance of Amiri Baraka's thesis. For a major studio to remake it, it would have to first be unmade.

http://illusionstreetcar.blogspot.com

[–] BRYCEdevilin1990 13 years ago

I think a film like this can be remade. Racism is always a touchy subject that can be centerpiece for a number of different stories. Dutchman was a great film btw, short but it was powerful.

[–] prettyD2368 12 years ago

A film like this can't be remade because Hollywood doesn't want to address a plot and movie this controversial. Hollywood wants to act like race isn't a factor anymore. Being overtly sexual is fine but a controversial plot and ending about a black man and white woman exchanging in a war between the races won't fly in today's Hollywood.

[–] samsan_lee 12 years ago

"Hollywood wants to act like race isn't a factor anymore"

I agree. Much more of a business entity with marketing costs far outside "artistic or social commentary" - hence action films, horror films, comedy films, arthouse film (period pieces), and very few head-on issues dealing with sexism, race or class conflict.

Post Obama, its more militarism/heroism masked within "superhero" films, CGI cartoon films with no resonance to the real world, usually masking class conflict or very light morality tales.

It could be done, but how divisive would it be taken into? Is anyone listening or does the film defeat its purpose by re-opening forgotten wounds of Civil Rights Movement, etc. I just think people have tuned out as moralistic preaching.