MIM Movie Review

This is an archive of the former website of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, which was run by the now defunct Maoist Internationalist Party - Amerika. The MIM now consists of many independent cells, many of which have their own indendendent organs both online and off. MIM(Prisons) serves these documents as a service to and reference for the anti-imperialist movement worldwide.

TALES FROM THE HOOD SHOWS THE REAL HORROR: AMERIKKKA

"Tales from the Hood"
Directed by Rusty Cundieff, 1995 

Tales from the Hood is much better than your average Hollywood flick. It
skillfully co-opts the trademarks of the goofier horror movies--action,
violence, gore and humor--to make some harsh political points against patriarchy
and national oppression. More so than in 1995 Amerikkka, the oppressors tend to
get what's coming to them, just as they will in real life in the long run. The
audiences' cheers for vengeance are one sign that life will imitate art in this
regard. By using the horror medium, Cundieff is able to keep his audience's
attention and avoid being accused of being "preachy" as are more sober political
directors.

"Tales from the Hood" is composed of four stories, each with a strong component of
reality. What could make for better horror than the real-life monsters created
by imperialism, capitalism and patriarchy? In the first story, a nasty,
dope-pushing pig earns his vengeance by killing a progressive community
activist. Happily, the Uncle Tom pig is not spared.

The monster in the second story is an abusive patriarch. Cundieff deals well
with gender, particularly by the inclusion of several strong women characters.

The third story centers on a fascist cracker politician named Duke Metzger. Once
again, the bad guy gets his, as does his Uncle Tom advisor. The protagonists
here are symbols of slavery who call for reparations--or else.

The last story brings it all home to the young audience Tales from the Hood is
made for. Cundieff makes it clear that these stories add up to genocide, and
that fratricidal gang violence is part of this big problem. This bit suffers
from a line of dialogue that seems out of place in this otherwise excellent
movie. The awkward line says that the government funded a genuine anti-
fratricide program, suggesting that the government behind genocide has its sweet
side.

Overall though, Tales from the Hood is a great film in that it advances a lot of
heavy--and correct--political points, while staying faithful to the traditions
of a playful genre.

--MC49