MovieChat Forums > Black Cloud (2004) Discussion > Too much racism

Too much racism

posted 19 years ago by fionasmommy
30 replies | jump to latest

I had very high hopes for this movie. Eddie Spears was excellent in Dream Catcher and The Slaughter Rule, and this story seemed like like it was made for the big screen.

Unfortunately, the undercurrent of racism in this film detracts from everything good about it. Black Cloud is constantly whinging about how much he hates white people, and he goes crazy when he finds out his great-great grandfather ws white. Oh, the horror! There's also a couple of scenes where Black Cloud is hanging out with the loser "mixed-bloods" who apparently do nothing but drink and party. Must be that white blood in them that makes 'em get all CRAAAAZY!

We're never given any back story for Black Cloud's racism, or shown any reason why he might feel that way. He does have run-ins with white men from border towns, but even prior to that Black Cloud is constantly ranting against whites in general, making sweeping accusations about their "kind" and what they're like. For a kid from Arizona, it's amazing that he knows what all "white" people are like. It's also amazing that not one of the wise elders around him bothers to smack him upside the head and tell him to shut up and stop being so simple minded.

Beautfiful film, great supporting cast, but it's really hard to pull for a hero who is so incredibly ignorant.

[–] ILikeTheBlueLights 17 years ago

"It's also amazing that not one of the wise elders around him bothers to smack him upside the head and tell him to shut up and stop being so simple minded."

If you had any idea what you were talking about, I'm sure you'd be smacking yourself right now. Yopu obviously know nothing about Native Americans or the anger that many of us feel. The "Wise Elders" understand that anger.

Next time, get a clue before coming on a message board and talking big about something you're so very ignorant to.

[–] Burning_Sosobra 17 years ago

I just saw this movie for the first time, and while I do agree that the love scences were forced, and the film was full of stereotypes, the message was still a good one, and the film itself actually came out quite well. I still think Smoke Signals is a more accurate depiction of reservation life, as it is based off the writings of a famous Native writer named Sherman Alexie. Still, this film was well made, says this observer.

"Funny thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bluesman07 17 years ago

Well gee why would an indian hate whites?!Can anyone think of a reason or two?
How about near genocide?
Yes the movie could have done better with the dialogue and better acting coaches, but this issue is completely spot on, from both the black cloud's point of view and the whites point of view.
Ignorant? Maybe, but thats the way things have been for 500 yrs. Indians didn't start it, but we got to live with it. For some reason white people just don't get the trouble they cause/have caused.
And if you think that kind of racism doesn't exist anymore,that white people aren't still making those same assumptions about indians, then you are severely mistaken. I know,I live through it.
"Too much racism"? You know nothing.

[–] Ndnpunk247 17 years ago

LOL thats what makes this movie so great. The Racisms in it. Oh..What...us natives arent aloud to talk trash about white people???? And here whiet people always tell us to go rain dance or dance around the fire, and go scalp someone, and all that crap. Yea too much racism in this movie? Screw you...the way your saying it is "oh we can say racist remark to indians, but they cant!" Im not saying this to bluesman07 or..someone before that. I'm talking to the person who made this post!

*Suffering: You Haven't Seen Anything Yet*

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] hotactors4ever 14 years ago

you kinda have to be part native to understand it. the way they see it, the whites took everything from them, hence, they're all evil. a white guy also impregnated the girl black cloud loves and then abandoned her. in some cultures, being a mixed blood is the sign of evil, even tho it wasn't the kid's fault. black cloud is fiercly proud of his native blood and views the white blood as a weakness that he can't afford. in the end, he realizes that the white is part of him and he learns to accept it. and many of the elders also feel the same way, that whites took everything and so they're the bad guy. in many native american cultures, some life lessons were learned through trial and error. elders wouldn't tell you how to think, only guide you towards the right path, or let you stumble along and learn the lesson for yourself.

Wolverine: Hey hey, it's me.
Cyclops: Prove it.
Wolverine: You're a dick.
Cyclops: Ok.

[–] MandMs882006 13 years ago

Here we go again... Black Cloud's attituds isn't racist but discriminatory due to how his people were and are still treated. The word racism is thrown around too much in places where it does not belong.

"Love Is In The Light"

-Maxwell

[–] classOFfitness 13 years ago

my problem with this movie, is it's the same old plot over and over again. why not made a modern day story. like a romantic comedies or something?

[–] Hancockenstein 11 years ago

what do you mean by romantic comedies? I assume you're not referring to the genre I'm thinking of, that releases a dozen movies a year, with the same plot over and over again.

[–] Tri-State_Skater 10 years ago

Yeah. It was like really Americans don't act like that all time. No one looks at each other and immediately starts in.