David Oyelowo as Joe “Lighting” Little/Picture credit: Momentum Pictures
Film: Red Tails
Director: Anthony Hamilton
Released by: 20th Century Fox
Review by Kwame MA McPherson
During World War II, a group of African-American pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps (after June 20th 1941, known as United States Army Air Forces).
Red Tails, produced by George “Star Wars and Indiana Jones” Lucas, tries to tell their story. Noted for being the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces, they, like other African-Americans in the US, were also subjected to the Jim Crow laws in many states, regardless of the fact that they wore a uniform and were fighting for their country.
In addition to the violence, blatant racism and oppression they received, the American military back then was racially segregated as was much of the federal government. The film follows the men on their successful mission of defending heavy bombers over Sicily and Italy during Operation Shingle.
Throughout the entire film there is nothing to indicate that these men, far away from home, have families, children, wives or girlfriends. The only romantic element on show is where Joe “Lighting” Little (played by David Oyelowo) falls for an Italian girl. Nurturing their relationship they nearly marry only for it to end tragically for them both.
In stark contrast, while idling on the airbase until called to fly and fight, the other black men bond with each other by playing cards or lazing about. Not one man receives a letter, cake, has a photo of a loved one to gaze at, or talks about his life back home.
This makes a travesty of what African-American men went through during World War II. Historical accounts and veteran stories show that military men, regardless of who they were or where they came from, treasured everything and anything that reminded them of home and their previous lives on civvie street.
So why was the presence and spirit of the African-American woman excluded from the movie? I posed this question to the director, Anthony Hamilton at the gala screening. He acknowledged the absence but was unable to say why. Possibly the presence of a representative from the film’s distributing company may have contributed to his restraint. Already chastised by African-American audiences, Hamilton must have heard it all before.
As an African male, I am immensely proud of the film, its story, seeing black men being emotional and vulnerable while bonding for a higher ideal. Still these men could never have been who they were or attained the heights they did without the presence of their families, especially the African-American woman.
Red Tails opened nationwide on 6 June 2012.
Kwame MA McPherson is an authorpreneur and award-winning writer. His work is available from www.lulu.com/maxkey