Mississippi Burning
Most recently screened in July 2016
Director: Alan Parker. Cast: Willem Dafoe, Gene Hackman, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, Gailard Sartain, R. Lee Ermey, Stephen Tobolowsky, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Michael Rooker, Kevin Dunn, Badja Djola, Geoffrey Nauffts, Park Overall. Screenplay: Chris Gerolmo.

 Twitter Capsule: Devoted to civil rights, but black characters sidelined and silenced. Traumas maybe too slickly photographed.

VOR: ③  Sadly most valuable as a cautionary tale about how not to frame a protest picture about black civil rights (i.e., without black people), but its other convictions are worth reviewing.


Photo © 1988 Orion Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C+

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Alan Parker
Best Actor: Gene Hackman
Best Supporting Actress: Frances McDormand
★Best Cinematography: Peter Biziou
Best Film Editing: Gerry Hambling
Best Sound: Robert J. Litt, Elliot Tyson, Rick Kline, and Danny Michael

Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Alan Parker
Best Actor (Drama): Gene Hackman
Best Screenplay: Chris Gerolmo

Other Awards:
Berlin Film Festival: Best Actor (Hackman)
Chicago Film Critics Awards: Best Picture; Best Supporting Actress (McDormand)
National Board of Review: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor (Hackman); Best Supporting Actress (McDormand)
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Cinematography; Best Film Editing; Best Sound
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