Screening response - Movie Review Example

Screening Response Othello, a 1955 film, was based on Shakespeare’s tragedy also known as Othello (Berardinelli Oliver parker was the director of the film, which stared Laurence Fishburne (Othello) among other casts. What stood out, in the film, was the director’s view of racism. He managed to show how African Americans were discriminated, by the whites, during the pre-colonial period (Berardinelli 1). This paper will discuss the theme of racism with regards to the film, Othello.Lago, in the film, takes advantage of Othello’s color when he happily informs Brabantia of the illicit marriages that a "black ram" is still "tupping his white ewe" (Berardinelli 1).

African men were not regarded good enough to have associations with white women. It is only Lago who degrades Othello and starts gossips about Desmond’s affairs with Cassio. However, even though Lago was the only white man to complain about this, he represented a vast majority of the white population. Lago, signifying all other white people, had no trouble portraying Othello, who represented a vast majority of African Americans, as a lustful person (Berardinelli 1).Another case of racism is where Brabantio is persuaded that Othello must have used magic to entice Desdemona as there was no other way that a white girl would settle at marrying an African American.

Finally, the most significant or saddest aspect of racism, in the film, is that of Othello himself (Berardinelli 1). What Lago does is cunningly take advantage of Othello’s insecurities (Berardinelli 1). Othello might believe Lago’s stories since deep down his heart Othello doubts Desdemona’s loyalty and love. Such a film is extremely educational, and its further view is advised.Work CitedBerardinelli, James. Othello: A Film Review. N.p, 1995. Web.