Discuss Django Unchained
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"Don't break character" and yet, this is what Schultz did.
posted by movie_naziSTAFFMOD on February 9, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Inside the shop, Schultz discusses with Django the art of play acting in order to achieve a goal. He implicitly warns Django to never, under any circumstances, break character. Django proved to be a better actor as he staunchly kept character in the most trying of circumstances when he essentially condemned poor D'Artagnan to a gruesome death. Schultz was showing signs of cracking character in that scene when he offered to pay D'Artagnan's purchase fee which may have indeed tipped off Candy that Schultz was not who he said he was. Sure, it can be argued that Broomhilde's glances at Django that tipped off Stephen that she knew him is what essentially undid the whole charade but I really think it was Schultz's moronic offer to pay the fee and on top of "looking green around the gills" when D'Artagnan is torn to shreds is what ultimately lost the game. And to top it off he had to fly off the handle and essentially doom poor Django and Broomhilde.
This is one of the things I like about Tarantino films. The heroes are flawed . Even when presenting what would be considered an intelligent, admirable, cookie cutter "good guy" in Schultz, we are shown what a tremendous fuck up he was capable of commiting.
Django Unchained (2012) - 8 outta 10 stars
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on May 30, 2022 at 2:07 PM
Well articulated!
I was compelled to add, the concept of "acting" may be a bigger part of the DNA and experiences of African-Americans than others of the African diaspora. Across centuries, they were conditioned to not show their feelings, to grin and bear atrocities and humiliation; meanwhile, America became adept and weaving story and fantasy into a mythical existence to dull the pain of the suffering their "peculiar way of life" inflicted not only on slaves and ex-slaves but on themselves as well. I Am Not Your Negro did a fantastic job of vividly illustrating this idea; another excellent environment in which this has been manifest over centuries in America, is the degree to which white supremacist cops would kill Black people and then make up lies to cover their actions ("he threatened", "he did not comply"...). Eyewitness accounts mention, not infrequently, during white supremacists massacres of Black people in America, that they would confiscate the media's cameras, and destroy film, to hide the truth of what had happened, to reduce the material evidence that could establish truth counter to their fictitious narratives, their stories. Point here is, white people took comfort in fantasy, to the degree that facing truth and reality was difficult for them (which became a foundation of "white fragility", the inability to discuss harsh realities, especially those which expose white supremacy, white privilege, systemic racism, etc.).
A typical white person was free to act and react as honestly and openly as they so chose, their feelings were always acknowledged (a contemporary example appears today in the behaviour of "Karens" who, at the slightest discomfort, whether real or perceived, feel the world should stop to meet their needs). Black people, on the other hand, were under constant pressure to "know their place". Even in Supreme Court decisions, it was established that "no court is obligated to recognize the word of a N-word over that of a white man." Even gender-wise, there is policing of behaviour consistent with this notion - white men in the office who are brusk are called "go getters, leaders" and get promoted and paid, while women or minorities exhibiting the exact same behaviour are "rude, disrespectful, "bitchy"/"uppity"...)
Also, while constantly trying to figure out how to be free, they had to not betray any sense of hope stemming from plans they were developing to get free. Whether it was working an honest day with no betrayal that, tonight was the night we flee into the darkness and work our way through the Underground Railroad to forging freedom papers and trying to be cool while riverboat inspectors looked for any signs of stress on their faces...
Back to the movie - you're right on about Broomhilde's glances at Django that tipped off Stephen. This is precisely why they had to learn to conceal their emotions - the slightest betrayal of their true feelings could undo all their efforts to get free. But your observations of Schultz when D'Artagnan is killed, as well as the final straw with the handshake, all come together to show how hard it was to constantly have to be acting.
All humans want to be authentic; it's hard to not be authentic (cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that manifests this difficulty).
So, yeah, you caught a subtle note from this movie that really is a small but deft expression of an entire idea emerging from life in America - nice!
Reply by movie_nazi
on May 30, 2022 at 3:39 PM
I appreciate your recognition.
The idea of suppressed groups having to endure insults and hardships does indeed lend to them a forced training in the thespian arts as not acting content could very have well led to punishment or even death. Your point is well taken. I might also add that I have been meaning to watch I Am Not Your Negro and your post has both reminded me and motivated me to take a peek at it. So thanks for the recommendation. Growing up in Florida, I can attest that everything you have mentioned regarding hiding the truth of history is indeed true. I never even heard of the Tulsa massacre until college. These crazy laws being passed about CRT and not being able to make people feel offended about past racial transgressions is crazy! And they call us (progressives/the left) , snowflakes. Preposterous!
p.s. I would also recommend this documentary regarding past transgressions that are hidden: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/117909-exterminate-all-the-brutes
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on May 30, 2022 at 4:35 PM
Right on, mate.
Hey, thanks for your recommendation on Exterminate All the Brutes - I've already noted that it was created by the same Raoul Peck who directed I Am Not Your Negro! It would appear his work on IANYN 2017 is being expanded upon and examined further in EAtB 2021, should be interesting!
If I can find/view it, I'll likely start a thread on its message board and tie it to the message board for IANYN.
Looking forward to discussing it with you!
Reply by movie_nazi
on May 31, 2022 at 3:04 PM
It's really good but brutal. for as jaded as I am on this subject, I still found it quite shocking.