الاكاديمية للدراسات الاجتماعية و الانسانية
Volume 14, Numéro 4, Pages 49-60
2022-06-17

Portrayal Of The African-american Community In Netflix’s Movie Beats (chris Robinson, 2019)

Authors : Chouana Khaled .

Abstract

The article is primarily concerned with examining the cinematic representation of the African-American community of Chicago in Netflix’s movie Beats which was directed by Chris Robinson in 2019. The aim of the study is to investigate the different strategies adopted by the film director to depict daily life of African-Americans who are located in the difficult neighborhoods of South Side Chicago and who try to make a living. In this descriptive research, a film analysis which explores cinematography, sound, mise-en-scène and acting was carried out. Also careful consideration was given to the reception of Beats by using reception theory which is generally referred to as audience reception in the analysis of visual data. The study relied on reviews of several film critics and opinions of 212 internet users who watched the movie. I argue that Beats captures the psychic realities of young Chicagoans who face the traumatic impacts of violence. Similarly, I suggest that the movie offers a tribute to the City of Chicago and its culture.

Keywords

Chicago ; African-Americans ; Cinematography ; Netflix