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Sundance Film Festival 2018: Here are 5 films getting advance buzz

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Sundance Film Festival 2018: Here are 5 films getting advance buzz

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In this article, Shirley McMarlin explains that Blindspotting was an anticipated film within the Sundance Film Festival. Mentioning that the film was, "Poised to be one of the major breakouts of Sundance 2018."

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In ‘Blindspotting,’ story of two friends is also a story of race, class, more

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In ‘Blindspotting,’ story of two friends is also a story of race, class, more

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In this article by News Bank Inc., it is explaining the basis of the film Blindspotting. Explaining that is a provocative drama about two best friends in Oakland as well as, "a thoughtful examination of class, race, and the effects of gentrification.

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‘Blindspotting’ simmers with tensions and frenetic beat in Estrada’s directoral debut

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‘Blindspotting’ simmers with tensions and frenetic beat in Estrada’s directoral debut

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In this newspaper article, Jake Coyle explains his opinion on the film Blindspotting, explaining that the film's music is what carries the film throughout it's duration, calling it the DNA of the entire film.

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In this interview, Daveed Diggs explains the importance of slang within the Bay Area and the situations set up in the movie versus real life in Oakland, California. He tells that most people in Oakland face poverty.

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Daveed Diggs' 'Blindspotting' is a serious buddy comedy

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Daveed Diggs' 'Blindspotting' is a serious buddy comedy

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In this article Colin Covert explains the many aspects of the film Blindspotting, "Like the place, they contain reservoirs of empathy, happiness, and ambition side by side with anger and self-defeating implulses.

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Two movies confront a rapidly changing Oakland.

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Two movies confront a rapidly changing Oakland.

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In this article Cady Lang compares films Sorry to Bother You and Blindspotting, explaining that both the films pay homage to Oakland, aka the town, which is home of th Black Panther Party founded in 1966 in which contributes to the cities cultural legacy, and the socially conscious lyrics of the late Tupac Shakur.

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From 'Black Panther' to 'Blindspotting,' Oakland's identity crisis inspires great books and movies

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From 'Black Panther' to 'Blindspotting,' Oakland's identity crisis inspires great books and movies

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In this article from Newspaper Source Plus, Chris Vognar explains the successes of two Oakland movies: Black Panther, and Blindspotting. Casal explains the content of the characters from Blindspotting, explaining that Miles is a funny, and troubled soul of a character. As well as the current spotlight Oakland is getting from film & media.

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In this article, Floyd Smith III explains that Collin and Miles friendship forced Collin to go through an identity crisis due to him observing how African Americans are seen through the eyes of Miles and his actions throughout the film.

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Tackling topics as trendy as gentrification, police brutality, and the post-prison life of convicted felons, there may not be a film more timely than Carlos López Estrada's Blindspotting. Written by and starring Rafael Casal and "Hamilton" star Daveed Diggs, the film is as much a social observation of the aforementioned themes as it is a cynical mirroring of the city of Oakland, California. The film drips with the personality of its writers (both of whom are from the Bay area) creating an authentic and realistic experience that is charming, yet sobering.

What Estrada does most impressively is capture the aura of the Oakland environment in a way that compliments its roots with an outstanding soundtrack and a loyal visual flair, while simultaneously critiquing its modern development through its characters. The main characters, Collin (Diggs) and Miles (Casal) contribute a perspective that is genuinely fresh and compelling, providing a fish out of water sentiment in a city in which they both grew up in. The strife and roadblocks that inconvenience them throughout the film are as influenced by gentrification and race relations as it is by their individual choices.

This battle is portrayed on screen through surreal imagery that is reminiscent of another ode to urban California, " Sorry To Bother You," but what Blindspotting offers that Boots Riley's film seemingly does not, is a balance of realistic representations that compliment this surrealism in a way that emphasizes its characters. After an incident that sees Miles witness a cop murder a black man, his entire personality is deconstructed as he learns a new perspective in both how he himself is perceived as well as how black people in general are perceived in modern society.

Along this identity crisis, the audience is delivered an impactful combination of hilarious moments and clever representations of the environment in which these characters seemingly become less familiar with as the film progresses. The films main character's charisma and visible intuition is the driving force of the films narrative, which gives the film gravitas and stakes that are relatable and relevant. One scene in particular - in the films final moments - encapsulates societal struggles of black men with a harrowing, but credible, piece of dialogue delivered by Diggs. His words are both a cry for help as well as a passionate quest for understanding.

Collin and Mile's friendship in general is questioned throughout the film, creating a rift between the characters and those that care about them like Mile's ex-girlfriend Val (Janina Gavankar, "Think Like a Man Too"), who struggles with understanding Miles after his violent altercation. Though what they experience separately becomes the central theme of the film, what they experience together allows the audience to peak into their relationships and dissect a modern disadvantaged context.

In this presentation, is a nuanced performance of the complexities of urban communities and the people that reside in and are products of them. Blindspotting ultimately provides a viewing experience that is as self-reflexive as it is entertaining, making it one of the most powerful and yet touching stories told on screen in some time, thanks in part to the genuine inventiveness of the writers and their personal experiences. With its message, maybe audiences can learn something valuable about cultural disparity and the plights of modern minorities because they may not find these themes in a package more well constructed than this movie.

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Movie Review: Blindspotting (2018) - The Critical Movie Critics

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Tackling topics as trendy as gentrification, police brutality, and the post-prison life of convicted felons, there may not be a film more timely than Carlos López Estrada's Blindspotting. Written by and starring Rafael Casal and "Hamilton" star Daveed Diggs, the film is as much a social observation of the aforementioned themes as it is a cynical mirroring of the city of Oakland, California.

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‘Blindspotting’ Review: Tale of Two Oaklands Couldn’t Be More Personal

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‘Blindspotting’ Review: Tale of Two Oaklands Couldn’t Be More Personal

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In this article Peter Travers explains that the humor of the film is placed in dark places due to it's dealings with race relations, and racism. He also comments on how he feels Colin and Miles way of expressing their rawest feelings shouldn't have been expressed in raps, but I disagree.

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'Blindspotting' Review: Tale of Two Oaklands Couldn't Be More Personal

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'Blindspotting' is a highly personal tale of two Oaklands - and the dramedy is one part valentine, one part tough-love critique. Our review.

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BLINDSPOTTING: A Poem About Modern Police Brutality

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BLINDSPOTTING: A Poem About Modern Police Brutality

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In this article, Adriana Gomez-Weston is explaining the hidden messages of the film Blindspotting and how it makes audiences uncomfortable for a cause. She explains that the film isn't meant to be funny, and that the ending isn't supposed to be happy. The film teaches audiences to focus on their surroundings in a way in which they aren't solely focusing on just self, but the whole population.

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Some reviewers have called Blindspotting a buddy comedy, but that couldn't be farther from the truth - this is a film designed to make you uncomfortable.

The city of Oakland seems to be having a spectacular year. In February, the record-shattering Black Panther was released, and in June, Boots Riley's monumental directorial debut, Sorry to Bother You, was unleashed on audiences. As July comes to a close, another crowning achievement with Oakland at its center is released: Blindspotting. Originally opening to rave reviews at this years Sundance Film Festival, Blindspotting is one of the year's best films.

A riveting directorial debut by Carlos López Estrada, and written by (and starring) Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, Blindspotting is one of today's boldest takes on race relations in America. While police brutality has been occurring for years, the effects of our current climate have recently began to trickle into cinema. A truly powerful masterpiece, Blindspotting infuses loud visuals, spoken verse, and the backdrop of Oakland to relay its message.

Everyone involved puts their all into this film. With awards season quickly approaching, Blindspotting is earning strong acting and screenplay awards consideration for both Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. Hopefully in the coming months, Blindspotting is still fresh on everyone's minds and earns the accolades it deserves.

A poem about Oakland's past, present, and future

From the opening sequence to the end, Blindspotting focuses on the rapid transformation of Oakland. Like the rest of the Bay Area, Oakland finds itself the center of the gentrification debate with skyrocketing rents and the displacement of longtime natives. Blindspotting opens with a split-screen, the left focusing on an altered view of Oakland filled with hipsters, Wholefoods markets, and Warriors fans. Everyone seems to exist without a care, enjoying their new home. The right side focuses on the more honest side of Oakland- a city filled with poverty, Raiders fans, and sketchy convenience stores. Oakland's original residents are diverse, hardworking, and love the city in all its imperfections.

The film follows two friends Collin ( Daveed Diggs) and Miles ( Rafael Casal) as they navigate their way through a gentrifying Oakland. Collin and Miles spend their days moving people in and out of their homes. Collin merely tries to get through each day before his probation is over. Eager to turn a new leaf, Collin is trying to let the past go. Miles is a bonafide trouble maker with something to prove. Loud-mouthed and wild, Miles doesn't focus on the consequences of his actions- often compromising the feelings and safety of his girlfriend Ashley ( Jasmine Cephus Jones) and their son.

As Miles and Collin move people in and out of homes, they come across mementos from the past. In one home the meet a photographer who documents the residents of Oakland displaced by gentrification. Many are people of color, and varying ages. In another home, the two are conned into doing a cleanup job. Collin finds photos of a family long gone. Her raps about what's left behind.

Rebuilding communities is a good thing, but Blindspotting focuses on the ignorance of transplants as they enter "new" spaces. The residents appreciate the curated Oakland that's safe and hip. They don't know Oakland, but act as if they do.

Race relations are worse than ever, and Blindspotting highlights it

The film centers around Collin's remaining three days on probation. Looking forward to his freedom, Collin is trying his hardest to keep out of trouble. His probation is put in danger when he witnesses a police officer ( Ethen Embry) shoot a black man in the back four times. After the incident, Collin is shaken up and afraid for his life. Petrified by his experience, Collin has dreams and visions inspired by the shooting. In one of the most memorable sequences from the film, Collin runs through a cemetery. While there, he has a vision of the men and women killed by police brutality. They are all wearing black hoodies, and stand with their heads down. Out of the victims, Collin sees the man he saw die in the street. He stands there, a pained look on his face - the blood still fresh on his white shirt.

Throughout the film, there are instances pointing toward the flaws in our society. Early in the film, Miles yells at a man to move his car out the way. In a fit of anger, Miles starts cursing and honking the horn. Later on Collin's boss and ex-girlfriend Val ( Janina Gavankar) comments on a complaint from the same man- blaming Collin for the incident. Val also suggests Collin dispose of his braids - but he declines, stating it as part of his identity.

A horrifying element of Blindspotting is the relationship between Collin and Miles. They are good friends, but their differences become more evident as time roles by. Miles is more of a hothead and troublemaker than Collin, yet he isn't the one who went to jail or faces any repercussions. He also constantly expects Collin to be on his side- even if what he is doing endangers them both. In a pivotal scene, Collin tells Miles that he is the person that they (the police/establishment) expect Collin to be. Collin is obsessed with being accepted as part of the real Oakland, he doesn't realize the harm he's caused.
(Spoilers ahead)
In the climax of the film, Collin finds himself in the house of the police officer who murdered. Realizing where he is, Collin finds the man in the basement. Overcome with anger, Collin holds a gun to him in an act of revenge. Collin never shoots, but decides to instill fear in his heart. Collin spontaneously raps about his pain, a surreal moment, but poignant nonetheless. In many films a random burst of lyrics wouldn't be fitting, but spoken verse is a powerful way to exorcise emotions. It works perfectly in this instance. The film ends on a bittersweet note. Collin admits that he is not "good" when Miles asks.

Blindspotting leaves viewers solemn and uncomfortable

Blindspotting doesn't truly reach a happy ending. Some reviewers have called the film a buddy comedy, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Blindspotting does have its lighthearted comedic moments, but its intention is not to make you laugh. At the conclusion of the film, I felt heavy. It ends on a light note, but the weighty message is still felt long after it's over. As I left the theater, I felt the discomfort from the audience. Blindspotting forces you to pay attention to the bigger picture.

It may make you uncomfortable, but that's the main point of the film - to get you to think about your surroundings. Like its name implies, the film lets us know that often we don't see the whole picture, but whatever is presented to us first. Like the image of the Rubin face. Many people see the vase first, and others the face... but never both at once.
How do you feel about the message that Blindspotting sends? And how do you feel about the incorporation of spoken verse?
Beginning July 27th, Blindspotting is playing in limited theaters across the US. For more release information, you can view the IMDB page.

Opinions expressed in our articles are those of the authors and not of the Film Inquiry magazine.

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BLINDSPOTTING: A Poem About Modern Police Brutality | Film Inquiry

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Some reviewers have called Blindspotting a buddy comedy, but that couldn't be farther from the truth - this is a film designed to make you uncomfortable. The city of Oakland seems to be having a spectacular year. In February, the record-shattering Black Panther was released, and in June, Boots Riley 's monumental directorial debut, Sorry to Bother You, was unleashed on audiences.

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Review: ‘Blindspotting’ Walks a Tense Line in a Gentrifying Oakland

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Review: ‘Blindspotting’ Walks a Tense Line in a Gentrifying Oakland

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Blindspotting showcases the multicultural and gentrified aspects of Oakland and how they're evolving to withstand one another despite the political issues that gentrification bring up. A socially charged movie, also consideration as a movie choice.