TIFF 2020: MLK/FBI
tiff 2020Growing up in the modern day United States, students are told of the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr., who has taken on a national respect for his work towards black liberation within the United States. What isn't taught in schools, or is not part of the average discussion surrounding the historic figure, is the conflict with the US Government who saw King as a threat. Using released FBI documents to craft a narrative backbone, Sam Pollard's MLK/FBI looks to bring this conflict to life, showing just how far the FBI went when it came to not only tracking King's personal life, but trying to destroy his public image behind the scenes.
With flashy editing and an impressive collection of relevant footage, MLK/FBI succeeds in bringing the history discussed to life. At no point does the film's conversation feel like a boring history lecture; instead, it is engaging and captivating, which is always the goal of historical documentaries, though rarely achieved. However, MLK/FBI is undoubtedly helped by the theme it is exploring, being far from ancient. Where the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is often represented as if it were from generations ago, the truth is that many of those who interacted with King are still alive today, allowing the documentary to gather perspectives from real witnesses.
Not only is the film able to find relevance through living perspectives on the matter, but the subject material is hauntingly relevant through the modern Black Lives Matter movement, not only in the United States, but on a global level. From the dirty tactics that the government will use to tear down black leaders pushing for social changes to simply hearing the same conversations from the 1950s, is a haunting reminder of how little has truly changed when it comes to the roots of racial discrimination and inequality. Many of the ideas present from King and those around him could fit in perfectly with the ideas being fought for today; this can be shocking, especially considering how quick society is willing to pat themselves on the back for progress made.
Further depth is found in the choice to have the conversation within MLK/FBI far from just exposing the FBI and US Government for how they treated Martin Luther King Jr. The film takes the time to actually get into the headsets of those against King and the larger Black Liberation movement, finding nuance without justifying at all the racist beliefs it exposes. This is a clear sign of maturity and offers a valuable base of understanding, so the conversation of how to fix the issue can be more relevant to the true issues at play. The film also is open regarding the personal life of Martin Luther King Jr. and some of his potential moral shortcomings. The film doesn't attempt to hide or even justify these actions, even pondering what else could be released as more evidence, which could be eventually released in the future from the FBI. Instead, the film accepts these as a side to the human that is Martin Luther King Jr., showing that despite all the good he did, King was human at the end of the day. To ignore these sides is simply not the correct path to take when it comes to capturing him as a person. At the same time, these conflicts are not enough to ruin what King has done, and the film asks for a holistic and reasonable assessment, which requires critical analysis and nuance.
MLK/FBI might not be a fun documentary, as it exposes the skeletons in the closet for every party it mentions, but it absolutely is captivating and worthwhile. This is a documentary with a life and distinct voice that goes way beyond just that of an average history lesson, with a relevant and important thesis which, when mixed with some incredibly strong editing, truly becomes something special.
