American History X (1998)Angelo Schildhauer

CastEdward Norton as Derek Vineyard

Stacy Keach as Cameron Alexander

Ethan Suplee asSeth Ryan

Director: Tony Kaye

Edward Furlong as Danny Vineyard

Avery Brooks asDr. Robert Sweeney

William Russ as Dennis Vineyard

Producer: John Morrissey

Racial Tension and Film Race addressed since early days of film Always controversial Leaves audiences with mixed feelings

Use of Black and White Used for flashbacks Contrast darkness before turning away

from racism with after Further illustrates racial tension (saw

everything as “black” and “white” while White Supremacist

Use of Violence Many violent and uncomfortable scenes

throughout film Multiple shootings Looting of store Curb-stomping Prison rape

Use of Racist Symbols Many racial slurs used throughout,

aimed at African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Jews

Use of Nazi symbols (including Swastika) Taking down posters to symbolize

change of views

Film Clip http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KEtZ4KMKJQ

(2:23)

Openness of Ending Similarities to Spike Lee’s Do the Right

Thing (1989) Use of Quotes Social commentary Ongoing issue, therefore openness in

ending of the film

Quote from Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address “We are not enemies, but friends. We

must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Images From: http://

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/American_history_x_poster.jpg http://

www.all-movies.eu/pictures/o/1298682046/12986822520ce7fbdfbbc7927d137cb443a13ae8af.jpg

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/standard-pictures/article7328942.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/Edward+Norton's+extreme+turn+as+neo-Nazi+in+American+History+X+was+a+tour+de+force+-+and+he+worked+hard+to+get+fit+for+the+part,+too.

http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens17716073_1299470996Edward_norton.jpg

http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/american-history-x1.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Birth_of_a_Nation_theatrical_poster.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/22/DO_THE_RIGHT_THING.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Gran_Torino_poster.jpg