1. In the film Moonlight, the urge to fit individuality into the mold of American standardization is explored within self and community as Chiron struggles to be comfortable with his own identity. What does the film express about the ways community, Black culture, and identity are interrelated?
a. CONSIDER: How does this film cultivate a self-image around race and ethnicity? Which scene expresses/explores this? How does it express it–what cinematic/film techniques, including dialogue, create this effect?
b. CONSIDER: How is the urge to fit individuality into the mold of American standardization explored within the self as Chiron struggles to be comfortable with his own identity? How it is explored within the Black culture? How it is explored within the community? Which scene expresses this? How does it express this? What cinematic/film techniques, including dialogue, create this effect?
Sample Solution
The film Moonlight explores the interrelationship between community, black culture, and identity in a way that emphasizes self-image around race and ethnicity. It does this by showing how Chiron’s journey to self-acceptance is not only deeply personal, but also deeply rooted within his cultural upbringing and sense of community. Throughout the film it is clear that Chiron’s struggle with fitting into society’s standardization of identity is steeped in both his cultural background and in the expectations placed upon him by his environment.
Sample Solution
The film Moonlight explores the interrelationship between community, black culture, and identity in a way that emphasizes self-image around race and ethnicity. It does this by showing how Chiron’s journey to self-acceptance is not only deeply personal, but also deeply rooted within his cultural upbringing and sense of community. Throughout the film it is clear that Chiron’s struggle with fitting into society’s standardization of identity is steeped in both his cultural background and in the expectations placed upon him by his environment.
