Malcolm X

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Eye Filmmuseum

7 February Eye is closed

still from In the Heat of the Night (Norman Jewison, US 1967)

still In the Heat of the Night (Norman Jewison, US 1967)

Eye Filmmuseum seen across the river IJ © Marcus Koppen

Eye Filmmuseum, © Marcus Koppen

still from Cry Freedom (Richard Attenborough, GB/ZW 1987)

still Cry Freedom (Richard Attenborough, GB/ZW 1987)

poster Malcolm X (Spike Lee, US 1992)

still from Malcolm X (Spike Lee, US 1992)

still Malcolm X (Spike Lee, US 1992)

still from The Hurricane (Norman Jewison, US 1999)

still The Hurricane (Norman Jewison, US 1999)

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Norman Jewison’s indictment of racism in America’s deep south won five Oscars. Sidney Poitier plays a black cop suspected of murder; the colour of his skin says he’s guilty. Cooperation with the local authorities to unravel the murder is terrible and the majority of the population prove racist.

A man is murdered in a sleepy town in the deep south. Soon a black stranger Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) who is waiting at the station for a train becomes the prime suspect. After his arrest things don’t prove as clear cut: Tibbs is a policeman and a very good detective – he offers to help investigate to prove his innocence. However, sheriff Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) has already decided who the guilty party is. In the Heat of the Night won five Oscars, including best film and best actor (Steiger). Jewison’s righteous critique of racism unfortunately still proves current today, all the more reason to create a 4K restoration of this classic that features music by Quincy Jones. Screening of the 4K restoration

In the Heat of the Night

Denzel Washington plays the role of Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, a boxer who, together with John Artis, was unjustly arrested for the murder of three people in a New Jersey bar. Both men were sentenced to three life sentences.

The Hurricane was widely praised as one of Washington’s best roles, with anger, pride and desperation about so much injustice surface behind his calm facade. The soundtrack features Bob Dylan’s famous protest song ‘The Hurricane’ occasioned by the contentious case.
Dan Hedaya plays the crooked cop who has spent his life foiling Carter, the young Vicellous Reon Shannon is the teen who, inspired by Carter’s life, fights to have him set free. Washington took extensive boxing training and cooperated closely with Rubin Carter in preparation for this role. This led to Washington winning a Golden Globe and receiving an Oscar nomination.
Director Norman Jewison is also known for In the Heat of the Night with Sidney Poitier, making him the only director to work with both Poitier and Washington. Rod Steiger (the chief of police In The Heat of the Night) has a supporting role in The Hurricane as a judge.

The Hurricane

exclusiveScreeningsInEye

Denzel Washington excels as Malcolm X, who strove for self-determination for African Americans 'by any means necessary'. Spike Lee's biopic Malcolm X was released exactly 30 years ago in the United States. The film and the turbulent life of Malcolm X himself continue to spark imaginations to this day.

Malcolm X lived a more than turbulent life: growing up in poverty, becoming embroiled in the underworld, converting to Islam while in prison, becoming the militant face of the 'Nation of Islam' (NOI) then being vilified in those circles, undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca and finally being murdered at the age of 39 in front of his wife and children.

Sidney Poitier was a pioneer. In 1963, he was the first African American male to win the Oscar for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field. Poitier was lauded for his style, intelligence and classical technique. He was graceful, self-aware and had immense presence on screen.

Sidney Poitier & Denzel Washington

In this true story, Denzel Washington plays anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko in this powerful drama about the friendship between Biko and Donald Woods, a South African journalist (Kevin Kline). Biko died in his cell due to police brutality.

Donald Woods was the editor in chief of the liberal Daily Dispatch during in Apartheid-era South Africa. He wrote various critical articles about the – in his eyes – radical opinions of Steve Biko, the Black Consciousness Movement’s most prominent member. When he met Biko for the first time, the journalist had to modify his opinion considerably. Woods became an active anti-Apartheid activist after Biko was imprisoned in 1977 and died from police brutality. When Woods subsequently wrote a biography of Biko he gained the interest of the security services and fled to Lesotho disguised as a priest.
Richard Attenborough reconstructs the unusual friendship between two men with very different backgrounds and philosophies. Cry Freedom’s strong political message is underlined by Washington and Kline’s excellent acting; both excel in acute, tender and ironic dialogues. Washington received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role. Five years down the line, he would play another black civil rights activist: Malcolm X in Spike Lee's eponymous film.

Malcolm X

Spike Lee / US, 1992 / 202 min.

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Special screenings

In the Heat of the Night

Cry Freedom

The Hurricane

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Sidney Poitier & Denzel Washington