My impression is that the pseudo-documentary Goodbye Uncle Tom is a rather provocative movie that is full of brutal and shocking scenes. However, it is impossible to say that the problem of slavery is exaggerated or depicted unrealistically in the movie. I can guess that the authors of the film followed the documents used for the script strictly, and the events are represented closely to the reality (“Goodbye Uncle Tom”). Still, the tone of the movie is surprising for me because it is not a traditional documentary, but a motion picture with the elements of drama and fantasy. As a result, the depicted characters and events seem to be even grotesque.
I hold the view that the movie allows discussing the problem of slavery in the North America from a new perspective. First, a viewer can perform the journey in the time following the authors’ vision and observing the realities of slavery as contemporaries. Second, it is possible to concentrate on the perspective of the Europeans in discussing the problem of slavery. In addition, the idea of interviewing characters allows focusing on their actual words and perceptions of slavery. As a result, it is possible to become directly involved in the events to understand the role of slavery in the social development.
I am of the opinion that this pseudo-documentary is important to be viewed by persons interested in the history of slavery. I believe that people often perceive the historical events as lists of dramatic facts without realizing the realities and particular features of the people’s interactions during those periods. Movies like Goodbye Uncle Tom allow focusing on the historical realities that are often discussed as hidden, avoided, and violent.
Works Cited
Goodbye Uncle Tom. 2014. Web.