Moonlight—an indie film by a black director, Barry Jenkins, that examines the world and life of black and gay man, Chiron—is nominated for eight Oscars. This film is, in my opinion, the most important American feature film of 2016 for a number of reasons: performances, cinematography, music, and a story that complicates rather simplifies black life. We have never seen anything like it before on the big screen, and it arrived at just the right time. Here are what two filmmakers and a film scholar have to say about the movie and why it deserves to win big at this Oscars this Sunday.
Film Scholar Zola Mumford:
Moonlight depicts Black characters whose lives feel realistic because they’re emotionally complex. Although it may not seem obvious to some, the characters represent more than one class, culture, and subculture. It shows how we can carry pain in our hearts for years, daring to open up sometimes and let joy in. The cinematography shows Black skin as richly varied and beautiful. The score pulls you in like an undertow, then lifts you back up (and Jenkins’ choice of a classical music-style score is itself a reflection on how many different things Black people are interested in).
Cinematographer Sean Kirby:
The Academy should follow through the nomination and recognize the filmmakers (and actors) who not only had the courage to show the strong forces against young black men in our country, but also made a film that was executed well so as to be seen on wide scale on the subject. Also, given the current political climate it is not only important to remember we are indeed a country of immigrants but also a country people who fight stereotypes, poverty and drugs on a daily basis.
It deserves to do very well and while there are other films with important subjects in nomination, Moonlight does so with originality.
Director and cinematographer Zia Mohajerjasbi:
Moonlight shows us something cinematically complete. Black, beautiful, complex, dimensional, stunning; complete. It’s the completeness of Moonlight that is its most resonant quality. From the fullness of its characters, simplicity of its narrative, and superbly stylistic tonality; it is a completeness that draws us in, that commands an almost meditative presence, and conjures a mindfulness in the viewer at a time when seeing one another feels abundantly more necessary than ever. It’s difficult to ask much more from art. C’mon mah.
