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Selma

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A scene from Selma. (AP)
A scene from Selma. (AP)

What's it about:

This is the story of a movement. It chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965—one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.

The real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

What we thought:

Let me start off this review by saying Selma was robbed from its Oscar glory this year. The film deserves much more than the two nominations it received.

I know what you’re thinking. A political true life drama with a hard-hitting theme can’t be easy to watch – and it isn’t. But this is probably one of the most important movies to hit the big screen this year.

The film is a chronicle of Martin Luther King's campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

This event changed history and set in motion a series of events that would bring us to where we are today.

It made me feel shame for what happened, but also gave me hope for the future. I wish I could buy tickets for everyone to go see it. It’s beautifully put together, with powerful performances and heart wrenching emotional scenes.

It tells the story of Selma with so much sensitivity, respect and love that you can’t help but get completely involved in the drama that unfolds.

I’m ashamed at the fact that I knew so little about what happened in Selma and how bad things were back then. I guess I’ve been living in my own little bubble which finally burst as I sat in the cinema.

I walked out afterwards feeling like I had just witnessed something very important and that the responsibility is now with me to go out and share that message.

Make time in your life for this film, it deserves your attention. It’s a movie you simply can’t afford not to watch.

Note from editor: In the spirit of Selma we will not allow nameless spammers to publish racists comments on this article. If you feel like you want to make a valuable contribution and express your opinion you can do so by e-mailing your comment to feedback@channel24.co.za - all comments need to be accompanied with your full names and contact details.

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