Meeting the Man
1970
Action / Biography / Documentary
Meeting the Man
1970
Action / Biography / Documentary
75%
AUDIENCE
7.4/10
1.9K
Plot summary
In 1970, a British film crew set out to make a straightforward literary portrait of James Baldwin set in Paris, insisting on setting aside his political activism. Baldwin bristled at their questions, and the result is a fascinating, confrontational, often uncomfortable butting of heads between the filmmakers and their subject, in which the author visits the Bastille and other Parisian landmarks and reflects on revolution, colonialism, and what it means to be a Black expatriate in Europe.
Director
Tech specs
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Baldwin is sharp and right as ever and
When done Baldwin's way, it's brilliant
When James Baldwin takes over the direction of the film, it's great. Everything he says is still true, but the director initially comes with a very narrow idea of what the film should be, missing the reality Baldwin is trying to share. Had the director listened to Baldwin from the beginning, or let Baldwin drive the film instead of going from a plan, it could have been more extraordinary. But kudos to the director for eventually listening (slightly) to Baldwin.