The critically acclaimed film Selma, chronicles the events in Selma, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Selma is the first feature film to focus on Dr. King, the religious figures and activists who joined together to march for African Americans right to vote, 50 years ago.

At this time in history, the 1964 Civil Rights Act had been passed and desegregated the South. However, many places in the South, including Selma, remained unsafe. Jim Crow laws amongst other threatening strategies prevented Black citizens from registering to vote. This circumstance was the call to action Dr. King needed to help change this injustice, by holding peaceful marches throughout Alabama. Selma revisits those dangerous marches from Selma to Montgomery.

British actor David Oyelowo, portrays Dr. King with an emotional and humanizing performance. The film also stars Carmen Ejogo (Coretta Scott King), Oprah Winfrey (Annie Lee Cooper), Tom Wilkinson (President Johnson), André Holland (Andrew Young), Common (James Bevel), Dylan Baker (J. Edgar Hoover), Stephan James (John Lewis) and Tessa Thomson (Diane Nash).

Although the film has received many accolades, it is not without controversy. Director Ava DuVernay set out to make a truly honest film with realistic characters. The film did not hide King’s infidelities nor was President Lyndon B. Johnson portrayed as the “white savior” that is seen so often in film.

Personally after seeing the film as a person in my twenties with someone who lived during those events, gave me a deeper appreciated for the film. The exquisite cinematography hauntingly captures the violence inflicted upon the marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, an event also known as “Bloody Sunday”. I believe that for older generations, Selma has the ability to bring back to life the tragic and historical events of the past and for younger generations, this film vividly paints the picture of a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Students on campus had similar views as I did about the movie and its historical context.

Belen Crisp, a senior in the Whitman School of Management, saw the movie and liked the different narratives that were told throughout.

“[Selma] was good because it illustrated the true story of the march on Selma not just from Dr. Martin Luther King’s perspective, but also from the perspectives of President Johnson and the rest of the government and other political figures involved, presenting different sides of the story,” said Crisp.

Breanna Andrade, a senior in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and College of Visual and Performing Arts, also saw the movie and was surprised by the director’s angle.

“The first couple of seconds of the movie I realized ‘this is real…Ava is not about to tip-toe around these issues,” said Andrade.

Since its release, Selma has been nominated for various awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Original Song Glory and Best Picture. Tune into the Academy Awards Sunday, February 22nd to see if the film wins the golden statue.

Check out the trailer