TALES FROM THE HOOD
A film review by Maoist Internationalist Movement
- MIM Notes 102, July 1995 -
TALES FROM THE HOOD SHOWS THE REAL HORROR: AMERIKKKA
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
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