Was Antebellum Actually Terrible? | A Reenactor's Review of Antebellum | Afro Flick and Sip

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[@AbsentBennett]

Who the F*** would ask someone if they could reenact a slave hunt or whipping, etc. !? I am horrified to think people have that audacity & am truly sorry that any person should have to respond to such a F***ed up request. What the literal hell people. That really pissed me off.

[@queenme7401]

They are trying to relive their great-great grandparents' reality.

[@copper4422]

my jaw hit the floor at a million miles an hour when i heard that. that's incredibly appalling

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

There is really only one justification for it and that is to record a truthful depiction for educational purposes. Anything else is sus.

[@KYLE1654-v7m]

Maybe it's a sadist fetish? Some people actually do have those. I agree it rather is fucked up.

[@llamabean529]

This

[@buny4773]

My mouth literally fell open when you described the things people have asked you to "reenact" with them. I am so, so sorry people dared to treat you like that. It shows how vital your work is, but I wish you never had been subjected to that in the first place. No normal person's fantasy is to do that - it is not a fantasy world, it is a horrifying reality. Again, I am so sorry people said such vile things to you.

[@crem-crem4070]

Need I remind you that the kkk exists and Antebellum is their wet dream

[@buny4773]

@@crem-crem4070 I think you might have misread my comment, or maybe I didn't communicate it correctly. I am not surprised racists exist, I am surprised they have the gall to insult Ms Cheney like this, as though it's an acceptable thing to ask. I am horrified they dared say those things. Knowing racists exist doesn't numb the sting of racism, or make it any less shocking or vile. Knowing the KKK exists - which Ms Cheney certainly does - doesn't make racist abuse less painful or aggravating for her.

[@tiredoftrolls2629]

@@buny4773 agreed. Just because something may have happened historically does not mean it should be reenacted. Horrible things shouldn't be forgotten, but they don't need to be relived, even in "play acting"

[@lolitabubbles26]

@@crem-crem4070 I don't think the contrary was even remotely implied in OP's comment.

[@manderpandersalamander9977]

I agree! I was mad for her! Makes me wanna go and track those people down! I also totally agree with Cheney about the lack of character development. It speaks volumes!

[@billieflylish]

I watched Antebellum thinking it was going to be a supernatural story with civil war ghosts.. Needless to say by the end of it I was sitting there like .......😦😦😦😦what was that?!

[@milliedragon4418]

That would have been awesome

[@laurelsamson1935]

Based on the trailers, that's what I was expecting too...

[@amaravazquez8591]

I thought it was gonna be like Westworld were there is a sci-fi element. But finding out that it all took place in a Civil War reenactment park felt gross and left more questions than answers.

[@tacrewgirl]

Same

[@calebwheeler8143]

While I haven't watched this film, to me one of the big problems sounds like the enslavers in the film all being brutal sadists. As established on this channel, slavery didn't have to be actively brutal to be cruel, and most enslavers were normal people. And they idea that they weren't creates the idea that atrocities are done by people who are fundamentally different from us, and creates the idea by ignoring the cruelty of constant lack of freedom that you might be a "good" enslaver (to be clear, there is no such thing).

[@hannahb2306]

That’s exactly how I felt when I watched it. Someone doesn’t have to be a sadist or even a very “bad” person to participate in things that are inherently cruel. I feel like it’s hard to show in fiction because you either run the risk of the enslavers coming off as too sympathetic, or you have them come off as cartoon villains.

[@meelamiela]

Great comment!

[@calebwheeler8143]

@@hannahb2306 I feel that it might work in a first-person novel, where you can get deep into a character's mind. However, I'd add two caveats: 1. Either do a fictional system of slavery in a fantasy or sci-fi world (although with sci-fi, you'd have to explain why this technological world still needs human labour. TV Tropes' page "We Will Use Manual Labour In The Future" has some advice about that) or one so far in the past that its historical consequences are now long gone, like Roman slavery. (American slavery is historically pretty recent, and has a lot of direct consequences still in affect today, so writing first-person fiction about that feels pretty tasteless. I'm not African-American, so I'd have to ask some for their thoughts about that). 2. Make it part of a larger story (I generally feel that books written to convey messages first and tell a story second are bad, and a story about slavery has the problem that dystopias have (they're relentlessly harsh on the main characters with limited opportunities for character development).

[@sonorasgirl]

That’s also why I love JoJo Rabbit - it actually shows the complexity and how normal people can be sucked into doing horrible things

[@CarinaHilbert]

You might want to read actual accounts from slaves. It's in the Library of Congress and available for free online, and there's a YT series of famous actors reading them.

[@carolnewey6452]

I haven't watched Antebellum - the idea of this happening is appalling. I am so sorry that you have received those requests - How can people even think those things are okay? Thank you for sharing your review.

[@sarahwatts7152]

I thought the same thing! They asked her to do WHAT?? I'm not sure if I should be surprised, but I absolutely am.

[@clarencejacobowitz640]

Yeah, I was thinking "Dude, keep your kink to consenting adults!" when she mentioned that.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Me too So appalling So sorry

[@archervine8064]

I also add my WTFs. How does that even arise in someone’s mind let alone make it out of their mouth? Let alone multiple someones!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

@@clarencejacobowitz640 ditto! (About the people asking, of course)

[@sallymoen7932]

I needed this video. I couldn't sit through an entire showing of this film, so I need to see a more in-depth summary before I attempt watching it again. My concern about this film is that it's like porn to white nationalists i.e. KKK, Proud Boys, in that it shows what they might want. It's creepy. So again, I thank you for reviewing Antebellum.

[@robyn3349]

Sounds really creepy. I avoid really creepy.

[@88alexis]

I liked it, but it did give me paranoia for a few days after watching it. Slave horror movies can be like trauma flicks for an often-token southern black girl…

[@kaiyakershaw1028]

“porn to white nationalists” what a powerful phrase. That is definitely a big concern. I was wondering when Cheney said it came across as written by white liberals, what that motivation could possibly be. Certainly it appears that they wouldn’t want to feed white supremacist nationalists. But it seems to somehow still sensationalize. It seems to feed the idea that modern people can’t understand that something is wrong without showing it in the extreme. Social commentaries that rely on shock value just reinforce that systemic violence is the only reality.

[@gc2009able]

That was by far my biggest concern too as I listened to Cheney describe the film. I haven't seen it but it comes across as fantasy-fulfillment for horrible people who still very much exist. The intent of the film may have been the inverse (potentially terribly misguided white liberalism), but it seems to be lacking any protective boundaries that would hopefully undermine that fantasy-fulfillment (porn-esque) aspect for white nationalists, and as a result the film may well have two (or more) ***very*** different audiences who take from it ***very*** different things. Creepy, and ***not*** in a "we can have fun with creepy 'cause it's not real" way.

[@alexandraaaron9705]

Thank You for Saying THIS--It is What I was Feeling at 9:07, but Couldn't Articulate

[@carbine090909]

I've heard stories online from Disney Princesses who worked at Disneyworld complaining about having to deal with men who make passes at them. They said that Pocahontas got the brunt of it.

[@snakesonaframe2668]

I’d insist on playing Repunsel so I could carry around a frying pan precisely for that reason. Or Merida so I could have a bow.

[@Izzy-cp8yt]

Yeah, I've heard more than a few stories from character attendants, who are the ones tasked with dealing with those guests since the characters have to stay in character no matter what. Character attendants, however, have the power to kick someone out of the meet, remove the character, and call park security to get you thrown out for harassment if it's bad enough.

[@dragons_of_liberty]

Horrified that people would make requests like that. I am so sorry that you had to experience that. I enjoy visiting a lot of historical sites and so there's a chance that I might witness behavior like this someday. What would you prefer that bystanders do in that situation to support you? Jump in and shout down the miscreants, stay back and let you handle it, or something else?

[@TallTeenTurtle]

If im remembering right I think she talks about bystanders in her "Why Dont Black People Reenact" and "Harassment and Sexual Assault of African American Historical Interpreters" videos if you havent watched those.

[@src3360]

Here's a horror story.... Our favorite problematic southern cook, Paula Deen, had her self a plantation house party that was antebellum themed. She had an all black service staff, she had black waiters, black doormen, black butlers, she had everythang but a black baby!! And when asked why on earth she thought that was a good idea she said "its just a party!" 😶😶😶

[@CactusJinx]

Shes wild🤐

[@alexcurrie4514]

Oh yikes.😬 That is a phenomenal level of tone deaf.

[@snubnosedmonke]

GET OUT the movie isn’t even fiction, this does happen in real lifr and that’s the real horror

[@a.munroe]

It was torture *orn. I'm really sorry, watched this video 3 times now trying to find a nicer way to say it. I really felt like it's a movie White Supremists fund, the only reason it was mildly artistic is because of the attention to framing the environment. I watched Come and See, Martyrs, Green Inferno.... But this one just felt like a different kind of wrong.

[@kingexplosionmurderfuckoff9376]

You think THIS is worse than green inferno? Lmao

[@PandoraKyss]

I adore you. If you ever visit Philadelphia, I'd love to show you some of the little known historical gems around the city. Have you ever watched 'Feast of all Saints?' It's based on the Anne Rice novel of the same name; it's about the Free People of Color in New Orleans. The miniseries was a surprisingly good adaptation!

[@jaymillymills]

There was a video where she visited Philly. Also they butchered Feast of All Saints just like they butchered most Anne Rice films. PERFECT casting, but the pacing sucked and there seemed to be no direction. Also as much as I love James Earl Jones, his narration was used in the wrong places. For example, why did they reveal Lissette was the Master's child so early in the film? It should have been a reveal. In places it seemed rushed. Why make it into a miniseries instead of a movie if so much is left out?

[@jaymillymills]

I would like to to hear her review the history of that era though.

[@InThisEssayIWill...]

I don't do scary/horror. I feel like I might have heard some passing buzz about the film at the time but nothing that stuck. Even just hearing the premise of the film I don't understand why someone would want to make it, but I really just don't get horror. I can't imagine the disconnect someone would need in order to proposition you (or any black person) to engage with that stuff... Just.. what!?! The older I get and the more I learn, the more I realize that I had absolutely no idea about what kind of country I live in.. it stops being shocking after a while.. but it never stops being disappointing.

[@lawrencescales9864]

It sounds like the movie makes the same mistake stories around indigenous people make: the black characters are a blank slate until the white character shows up to put them into a situation

[@loretta_3843]

Just the beginning of your explanation had me disturbed... Don't think it's something I'd enjoy watching 😳 Really enjoy hearing your knowledge and how it makes things make sense!😘

[@randommeasures4618]

I think you're absolutely right about the importance of maintaining the antagonists' motivation as a theme throughout, especially when that theme is the bigot's fantasy of a "return to unquestioned superiority & oppression". The examples you provide regarding your work don't feel like simply "nostalgia" or curiosity, but an almost malicious taste for subjugating or humiliating another human being & being socially righteous or forgiven in doing so. Such commentary is relevant to politicians pushing prejudiced platforms. But, I think that's also the key distinction: Not all of us want to return to the past; but, across cultures, we're struggling to identify the traditions worth preserving & how to let go of those holding us back but deeply entangled with our roots. Wonderful video, and you and Penny are SO adorable!

[@argusfleibeit1165]

The movie sounds pretty horrible. I wonder if the Black stars and other actors have had second thoughts about taking the parts. I'd think they were hoping for some kind of point of view to be expressed, rather than just an excuse to see white men abusing Black women.

[@juliahaynie764]

Thanks for your perspective, and letting me know that I can skip this movie. I really appreciate you letting us into your brilliant and caring mind, to see the world a little more clearly!

[@katwitanruna]

Thank you for this. I already felt this film would be disgusting and you proved the point. As for the request of some folx, it goes beyond the pale.

[@dylan4142]

ok i never watch through sponsorship/ads but something about you makes me not wanna miss a second 😭😭

[@lisettegarcia]

Sounds more like the black version of Margaret Atwood's _Handmaid's Tale_

[@cindchan]

I don't know if I'm more horrified at the requests you have gotten, or that it's common. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that this happens! I hope that you will start making videos again! I would love to hear your take on other historic shows. I, myself, have a great love of history, but I certainly would not want to go back to any of those times!

[@usarmyguy1999]

I miss your videos.. are you ok?!?!

[@sarannec1282]

You haven't posted in a while. I hope all is WELL. Was just thinking about you and realized it's been some time since you posted.

[@nickeyg8948]

You are a great educator. I love learning things about the past and the present that I didn't know from you.

[@sjholder1]

Girl, you are my new hero, no question.

[@redbetty1284]

Your channel is so great! Will you post again soon?

[@Bulldog-mi3om]

That is unbelievable that folks actually ask those types of request

[@theplussizecostumer]

As you got talking more and more about this film and some of your experiences, my mind just blew. My experiences are strictly white experiences. I do not pretend to know what the black community has faced in connection with enslavement. And as I learn more it just blows my mind. And I'm not a young kid. I was in 7th grade when Dr. King was murdered, I remember seeing stories of the race riots in Watts and other cities, and I remember my mother, a college secretary, telling me about the family of one of her professors having a cross burnt on their front lawn. And it always bothered me that people of color were discriminated against. One day when I was about 8 or 9 my mom and I went to see someone she knew from work. She was working in an IBEW Union office at the time. I don't remember how the subject came up but at one point the colleague, a man, turned to me and asked, if I had a choice between a black man or a white man, which would I marry. I said it would depend on which one I loved. He got really uptight and asked my mom if she knew about my thinking and she said in mock indignation that it was the first she heard about it. The man then tried to tell me things about black people like how when they get wet water just rolls off their skin. And I'm thinking but same thing happens with white people. He tried to make other disparaging comments but I don't remember anything else he said. Seemed to me that my mom got us away from him as fast as she could and we never saw him again. And nothing was ever said about the question he asked me, nor was I taken to task about my answer. But attitudes like that still confuse and concern me.

[@paigemprice]

Why am I shocked but not surprised some people would ask you to do such things

[@sourgummiez]

Great video, I loovveeee listening to professionals pointing out inaccuracies in films reenacting historical events like this ❤️

[@lisaschaffnit2047]

That cocktail glass is everything.

[@markanderson0022]

Hello Lisa how are you doing 👋👋😴😴

[@aliciah4755]

I miss your channel 🥺

[@mikameeks]

I really hope you continue developing this as a series! Your perspective is invaluable, thank you so much for what you do!

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

Please post more videos. I found your content last month and love it. I want to learn more!

[@MizMissiB]

I love your program. Thanks for your educational program

[@justhereforthevideos2798]

I miss your content!!

[@elizabethmcmeens1436]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights!

[@elliotgrant2080]

Also is anyone else reminded vaguely of the way less heavy middle school book about the girl who grew up thinking it was the past and then finds out shes been living in a historical recreation for I think polio research

[@Crazycool90]

Yess! I hadn't thought about that book in forever! I see the connection, these two and the Village, all historical worlds built around the reveal that they're really in modern day, now you've sent me down the google rabbithole, I think it's Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson you're thinking of by the way.

[@sylvan44]

i felt nauseous all through this video. thank you for taking the time and energy to get into this movie and everything that entails

[@pookabunny2051]

I love that you reviewed this movie.

[@sararobbins285]

Thank you so much for your take on this. I was excited when it first was being promoted, thinking it would be a different take on a horrible time in history. I ended up waiting to see it, and I’m glad I did. Sure, I’m a fan of horror movies and like stories that raise blood pressure a bit, but for a nonsensical display of cruelty over and over toward Black characters is something that only serves to traumatize new generations, who are already bearing the brunt of generations of trauma. Thank you for taking the time to give it a critical eye and call out the major issues in all areas from writing to production and the nuances in costuming and set design. I don’t know if I’ll ever watch Antebellum; in truth, I’d rather stick with documentaries and stories of real history. There’s enough to pick through in those without adding the fictional… whatever it is… that the writers were trying for. And for those in shock that white reenactors have made some obnoxious and obscene requests, most white people don’t even think about those things in the context of causing emotional harm. It’s in keeping with the distance and remote privilege that whiteness encapsulates. It’s the same kind of privilege that feels threatened when actual history is brought up in schools. There’s so much work to be done by white people, myself included; because right now, I don’t think a majority of white people have ever been told WHY those questions, requests, or comments are so degrading, and until we learn and re-educate ourselves en masse, it’s going to continue to cause harm. Thank you so much for your videos, and thank you for all that you do.

[@jameshenry2512]

Hello 🤗

[@kayculliton1399]

Wow. Thank you for this podcast

[@calicolyon]

I love that glass!!

[@painterlynne]

I enjoy your channel very much, you’re amazing. The topics are heartbreaking and just make me feel so awful and sad and ashamed, if I’m honest. I appreciate the education.

[@paquialonso4546]

Hola Cheyney, soy una mujer española, vivo en Sevilla. Normalmente intentaría escribir mi comentario en inglés, pero mi inglés no es tan bueno como para poder expresar los sentimientos que tu vídeo ha despertado en mí. He visto Antebellum y, escuchándote, he descubierto muchas cosas que yo no supe ver. Jamás habría imaginado que esta película pudiera resultar ofensiva para las personas afroamericanas; ahora veo por qué sí lo es, y mucho. Alguien ha llegado a comentar en tu canal que esta película es, para los supremacistas blancos, algo comparable al "porno". Y veo que realmente tiene razón. Yo, como mujer blanca, fui incapaz de percibir esto cuando vi la película. Realmente pensé que era una buena crítica contra el racismo y la esclavitud, que son algo que considero abominable. Y ahora viene un segundo punto sobre el cual me gustaría recibir algún comentario. He dicho que soy una mujer blanca. Bueno, en Europa lo soy. Pero no hace mucho me enteré de que para muchos norteamericanos yo soy una persona de color (!!!!) Me quedé muy sorprendida. No hay entre mis antepasados nadie de raza negra, ningún indígena... ¿Qué tipo de exclusiva cualidad debe una persona poseer para que en USA te "permitan" ser blanco? Es algo que me asombra. Pero, ¿sabes, Cheyney? He llegado a la conclusión de que me da igual. Que no soy blanca para ciertos estadounidenses... pues no lo soy. No pienso entrar en ese diabólico juego. Quiero que sepas que me alegro mucho de haber encontrado tu canal. Tus vídeos me parecen magníficos y estoy aprendiendo muchísimo con ellos. Admiro tu trabajo. Con él te has ganado todo mi respeto y mi cariño. Un gran abrazo 🤗💖✨

[@paquialonso4546]

Bueno, perdón, he cometido un error. Al principio de mi comentario no comenté que era una persona blanca, solo dije que era española. Sorry

[@FortuitousOwl]

Came here from Princess Weekes' video on Antebellum, I never considered that there would be a real-life modern scenario where people would genuinely be asked to reenact this shit as part of their jobs! Also, let me know if I'm out of line on this, but just some thoughts: I feel like the historical inaccuracies could be used towards the film's story. Like they aren't literally going back in time, these are modern white people whose main goal is to torture black folks. They wouldn't care as much about historical accuracy as they do the horrible dehumanizing torture. Like there could be scenes of the overseers trying to tell the "plantation owners" they aren't running their cotton farms efficiently, but the customers just don't care. Why would they care if the cotton is harvested profitably if they aren't there for that explicit purpose. What if there was a scene where an overzealous white man got out like a taser or something to hurt someone with, and they had a huge conflict about it being not time accurate vs the person just being there to hurt people and not caring. Like maybe there is a person who just starts going around killing and torturing indiscriminately and it throws a wrench in the whole system. It could demonize the participants and the people who run the show because they have different expectations but the same goals. idk, just some thoughts I had. If this were a better-written film I could see this playing into the plot.

[@jaysianeira225]

Thank you for your honest assessment of a film i shall not watch. I love your videos.

[@ctinafox2063]

I wanted to watch this show because of the similarity with the Octavia Butler book Kindred but I couldn’t get through it. It was just too horrific

[@jennyonoh8942]

This was very intriguing, thank you for sharing you experiences and knowledge. I learned so much from this single video and you’re doing amazing work!

[@sallymoen7932]

Now review the tv series "Underground Railroad."

[@niani8359]

Please*

[@joannehague4068]

Thanks for the review. I like a good horror film but I'm not a fan of torture porn which this is sounding a lot like. So I think I'll skip it! You should do more film reviews.

[@jaxn1221]

Excellent, thoughtful commentary!

[@Skirt553]

honestly, I think that anyone who wants to do a Black-Centric film should hand over everything but the funding to Black people. Especially for something like this.

[@mariahmason4016]

I want to work in some of the screenplays. The only thing I am totally worried about is my abilities to withstand some of the treatment.

[@AnnAnonyme]

Thanks for your review. I feel like I learned a lot.

[@cathleenc6943]

I really enjoy your channel. Have you thought about doing a video about the Haitian Slave Revolt in 1791?

[@appleleena1256]

Accurate critique.

[@longlivechips5025]

I haven't seen the movie but the concept made me feel SO iffy and uncomfortable. Just race torture porn for people who wanna hide behind "history". It's like a whole ✨thing ✨ with SA porn that you take a successful woman who has broken the gender/race gap and SA her. This is just so much of ✨that ✨ but with a little bit of a plot.

[@kathleenmorrice6701]

Wow you look fantastic! Love your style! Thanks for the great review. Those requests 🤮

[@nerdbrain396]

Love your content girl! Are there any plans to continue these roots as a series?

[@ah5721]

You are a more brave women than I am. I can't do horror movies let alone seeing people be treated so wrongly. Thank you for speaking out against this movie as being wrong in character development and something that is nuanced and terrible. I hope you have gotten therapy from that terrible treatment you've experienced in reenacting.

[@TheCanniScot]

Are you okay back there? 💜

[@aprilbox3766]

Your screen is gorgeous!

[@dollylove3430]

Helping or hurting? Uniting or dividing?💕

[@Celebrian666]

I tried watching it, made it all 20 minutes before I had to shut it off, so I guess good job, they horrified me. Took me months to stop having nightmares based off it.

[@cmartin70]

Hi, I just discovered your channel recently and I wanted to ask if you could share or talk about the history of Fort Mose (in Florida), it was the first black settlement in America populated by free black folks and ruled by Spanish crown where they accepted scaped slaves from the British colonies with the only requirement that they converted to catholicism and served in the military (because of the constant British attacks), there was a free black militia and his captain was Francisco Menéndez (he changed his name to a Spanish name when he was baptized), he was from Gambia (Africa) and was captured by British slave traders and took to Carolina before he scaped and joined Fort Mose. The king of Spain recognized them as free people and gave them authority over the land. I never get to see anything about this being taught in American history because of the rivalry they had towards Spain (even tho Spain helped the USA to win the independence war). I think it is a good thing to know, it can give black people hope and to feel more empowered. Thanks for reading me.

[@tacrewgirl]

Thanks for pointing out all of the historical inaccuracies. You brought up things I hadn't thought of before. I'm tired of people comparing it to Kindred. Just read the book y'all. Countless trauma without any storyline. No character development. No real understanding of why they are doing this. Agreed, the cinematography was great and the contrast in colors was beautiful. That's the only positive thing to say about this film. I don't understand why Janelle Monae took this role?

[@markanderson0022]

Beautiful comment.... hello Lisa how are you doing 👋👋👋👋

[@MuseAndDionysus]

I have never heard the Kindred comparison! I got 30 minutes into Antebellum before I had to stop. It is definitely a black horror film and, I think, even more so than Jordan Peele's psychological black horror films

[@daylinlott5723]

Why? Because, as Hitchens suggests, we are in desperate need of evolving. Humans are half a chromosome away from chimpanzees, and it shows (Hitchens). We see the same resistance to equality and progress today. Fighting for righteous things is exhausting, and we all have only so much energy. This is why Tubman is revered, today. She somehow summoned the strength. But there was constant resistance to enslavement from black folk during the antebellum. The movie is also a statement on conservative politics, today. Like it or not.

[@FashionDivaNY]

Great review 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@TehMomo_]

"But they would only do it lightly" UM WHAT THE FUCK????

[@rachelmcdonough1506]

The things that people have asked you to "reenact", sadly, are not surprising to me. Obviously, I have never experienced anything to that extent as a white woman, but as someone portraying a lower-class Scottish woman at a Renaissance Faire, I've seen the glee that people took in harassing me and threatening me, thinking it was all part of the game. A lot of people seem to think that cruelty is "part of the fun" for them and it's a disturbing part of reenactment. I can only imagine how much worse that can be for women of color.

[@Ellaodi]

I was already horrified, and then at 15:17 you said "now to jump into the more problematic things in the film" and i know ill be bawling and throwing up if i listen any further. 😥😥😥i love you and all your work, cheyney. I know i won't be watching this movie. The reenactor aspect really makes me wonder if this was directed as a stark contrast to mirror the inkustices and societal racial structures in the modern world, or actually just funded by the NC psychos. :(

[@sourgummiez]

I seriously think they make these films soo horrifying to feed people who like it. I know that sounds disgusting but it’s how I feel. Like you said, very little character development, yet they’re all stocked up on the horror and brutality. I think it’s to feed people who enjoy watching it and it disgusts me but that’s how I feel

[@GOTTshua]

It "feeds" satan and sin.

[@carenguerreroa]

l saw this movie a long ago and I think it have potential. Its, at least, interesting. I think they should have take the Kindred route and making it about time travel. This movie didn't need to be this graphic (it won't teach white ppl anything and retraumatize black ppl). As a horror fan, specially of psychological movies (even though I enjoy body horror as well), you can do a lot with subtle things, instead of graphic violence against black folks. Most "classic" horror movies aren't so graphic or violent, so it can be done. If we change that, create character development and maybe time travel, it could have been better. Or directed by black women. I don't know. I'm a white latine, so take my comment with a grain of salt.

[@MF-pj9xv]

i missed your takes!!!!

[@herminadepagan3407]

When I watched this movie I felt like this was someone trying to make a torture porn version of Westworld crossed with the Island of Dr Mirou. This was an interesting film but not a good film because let’s be real, that place would have been raided by an alphabet soup of agencies and all the players would have been invited to spend long stints in government accommodations. Also, as a very light skinned Hispanic woman with passing privilege, you pull that nonsense in front of me and it’s going to go off in there! Nevermind that 21st century POC’s are not going to tolerate that mess. Ugh! Still reinforces my belief that Civil War reenactors are wacky and unsafe. As a pirate reenactor I have pulled improperly loaded and handled weapons out of men’s hands, who reacted like toddlers trying to eat a bug. I would like to see you review much older Cinema like Birth of a Nation and Porgy & Bess. I think your both modern sensitivity combined with your extensive knowledge of the past and the tropes used would bring a unique prospective.

[@ny_cruz]

I didn’t mind Antebellum. I also thought it was a good horror film but I didn’t appreciate the ending so much, it got a little weird as it progressed lol. Edit: Those re-enactment requests were wild. I absolutely am not shocked tho. Also, I agree that ppl get really wrapped up in the historical fantasy of the past without addressing the actual reality. For example, it would have required a lot of resources to maintain a plantation, even with all of the free labor.

[@alexandraaaron9705]

Ummm... I Did Not KNOW this Movie Existed. I am 9 minutes into Your Video, where You are just BEGINNING to Summarize the plot... And, yeahh... NOOOOO... WtAF?!? This Movie Should NEVER have been made... I Can't watch the Rest of Your Critique, but I will let it play Through to Support You🤗😳👿💖

[@markanderson0022]

Hello 👋👋👋👋

[@mattbouley6443]

I think the majority of the drive to reenact some of this has less to do with wanting to partake in a particular fantasy and more to do with the desire to shock people with history. The shock is desirable to people for the purpose of catching interest in people who think history is boring and also many are angling on a political agenda. While some want to downplay the tragedy of slavery in the United States, others want to prevent any healing whatsoever and stoke the fire.

[@GeeBee212]

Yes! Nothing more to say on the subject.

[@Taradoxxi]

I love Janelle Monae but I heard….bad things about this movie and I’m so disappointed to hear it is indeed basically torture p*rn. edit: THEY ASKED YOU TO DO WHAT?? W H A T

[@SantaFishes101]

I think showing cruel things to highlight why they must stop isn't a bad thing. it's like how people got mad at cuties for being real lol.

[@kayd7485]

Have you ever heard of Goodbye Uncle Tom? It’s absolutely ABHORRENT. I stumbled upon it on KZbin years ago and I’ve been scarred ever since.

[@kthearcher3357]

How are you not necking that bottle of Gin...I'm getting second hand horror jebbies and it's not even at the halfway...

[@elenafetter9690]

Yikes. I didnt know this movie existed. Your description upset me...why did they make this?

[@Abigael317]

How did the Black actors survive this experience? How did they find Black people willing to portray their ancestors this way? It sounds like the directors & maybe also producers & others in charge were unkind & possibly much worse IRL. I get that the Black actors might have personal and/or practical reasons for their participation, but how they were portrayed & the fact that no one with sufficient power stopped this movie from being made... I'm so frustrated! (In case it matters, I say this as a white person actively seeking to learn & do better.)

[@paigemprice]

They are still modern Black folk that will mess you up 😂

[@llamabean529]

Maybe I'm weird but I feel like the make it make sense was part of the horror, obviously who it would be horrific for is completely obvious but tbh the movies that scare me the most is where they don't do exposition on the why, because that's just people, they are horrible but we don't always know why.

[@gbrieannful]

Can you do a review on the movie Alice with Keke Palmer in it?

[@OddWeird461]

I wonder how the Black actors felt after watching this movie. I also wonder how much was edited out in post production and if the Black actors were surprised because of it. At first, like others, I thought this would be similar to Kindred and wanted to watch but I can see it’s very much not. Something told me not to, and I’m glad I didn’t.

[@MrCoolio244]

When Malcolm X said wyt people the devil…he wasn’t lying.

[@ramosnash7922]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Alex Haleys queen I recently stumbled across it very interesting story line. It’s free here in KZbin . 3 parts .

[@emilymoran9152]

This could have been a potentially interesting concept, but the execution is just gross. For instance, it seems like the "this is a reenactment" bit should naturally be revealed early - people do not stay in character that well, especially if they didn't sign up for this shi*t! After that, it could have been more like an "escape the psycho kidnappers" type of horror movie, where there is opportunity to get insight into both the kidnappers and the victims through their interactions.

[@OSR-go5cg]

I could never see a film like that even if I didn't have PTSD. I see color just as a color it dose not tell me if your good or not it tells me nothing about you you truly are.

[@khazermashkes2316]

I'm so sorry that racist reenactors felt entitled to make such demeaning requests!

[@mikorey2917]

I just love you girl 😊😊😊

[@Ater_Draco]

I am appalled that anyone would make such disgusting requests of you. So sorry. I haven't watched the movie. I like horror, but too much is no better than a commercialised version of misogynistic torture-porn. In my country, Wales, "mammy", and "mam" what we call our mothers, instead of "mum" and "mummy". I would like to learn more about its etymology within context of enslaved African women in the USA. It's hard to know that a word I equate with boundless love & care, was used to repress & dehumanise millions of exploited women

[@josephinebillingslea8599]

You are absolutely beautiful and amazing 👏 ❤️!

[@paqrikaX]

it seems they wanted to film a corngorn