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Bamboozled, 2000
How does the film maker represent African Americans?
Spike Lee, the director, seems to poke fun of what African Americans have gone through historically but in a way that seems acceptable probably because he is African American himself.

Can you detect the 'tone' of the film from the poster?
The poster mimics the old Hollywood style films from the poster design and the use of Blackface. It also shows an ironic element by showing an African American actor in Blackface. This also could also imply that by using Blackface they are clowning around, representing the tone of the film as being Black Comedy and by using a famous Black Comedian, Damon Wayans, it also adds to the comedy aspect. 
The word 'Bamboozled' means being conned or tricked and in a way this could relate to the way the actors are trying to con the audience by using Blackface despite being African American themselves.
The tone of the film is also quite controversial as under the title of the film there are cotton flowers, which relates to the way African Americans were exploited in the cotton fields, that Africa is the biggest imports of cotton. This seems to be poking fun of hardships that Black people have had toBlackface. This also could also imply that by using Blackface they are clowning around, representing the tone of the film as being Black Comedy and by using a famous Black Comedian, Damon Wayans, it also adds to the comedy aspect. 
The word 'Bamboozled' means being conned or tricked and in a way this could relate to the way the actors are trying to con the audience by using Blackface despite being African American themselves.
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Bamboozled, 2000
Is this poster more or less effective?
Personally, I feel the first poster is more effective, as it shows the ironic element of the Black comedian in Blackface, implies it is a comedy. Also by using a famous African American Actor (Damon Wayans) it draws the attention of a younger black audience, who maybe do not know as much of their history in terms of black representations in the media but who would be able to relate with Wayans, it would encourage them to watch it. Fans of Wayans work would also want to watch the film whereas, the animation poster would draw attention from an older audience who knew more about Back history. I also feel the animated poster would be alot more shocking so in terms of drawing an audience but it would be effective in terms of them going to see the film because they would be too offended to go and watch it. 

The first movie poster which displayed a man with jet black skin, ruby red lips and a bright white smile, recalling Sambo images of the past. The New York Times refused to run the image as an advertisement for the film and Spike Lee was asked to submit another poster, which was how the second poster came about.


Stereotyping African Americans has been used by the white majority as a means of control, classification and often reassurance through many forms of media.

Is it human instinct to want to stereotype as a means of understanding and even compartmentalising? Are we all guilty?
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 Do the representations perpetuate or defunct stereotypes?

Is trans-racial dipiction acceptable?




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