Talk to Me (2007)

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Talk to Me was released on August 3, 2007, in the USA. The American film was produced by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Mark Gordon Productions, and Pelagius Films. The film was written by Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa, and Michael Genet. The film was directed by Kasi Lemmons. The film is displaying how Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. become a radio host and community activist through an on-air radio gig[1].

Plot

Don Cheadle as Petey Greene in Talk to Me (2007)[2]

Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene (Don Cheadle), who was a radio DJ in the prison, meets Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) when Dewey visits his brother in the prison. Dewey sees the talent and of Petey and upon Pete's release, Dewey gives Petey a job at the WOL radio station program for the morning show where many audiences are African Americans. Petey becomes a rockstar as his topics are related so much to the reality that just occurred on the streets. However, Petey's alcoholism and ego destroy his career and friendship with Dewey. Still, Petey goes back, apologizes, and befriends Dewey. As the civil rights movement awareness increases, the assassination of King brings despair to many African Americans and this has created riots across the country. But, Petey manages to calm the public rage and his voice is the only one that is heard by them. Eventually, Petey stops the riots and madness through radio talks and brings sentimental issues such as the Black Power movement nonviolently[3].

Black Empowerment

When the assassination of King occurred, African Americans outrage creating riots across the country. The assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had brought hopelessness and wrath as this tragedy actually tried to halt the civil rights movement. At the moment of despair, it is seen that the pain that had brought to African Americans was so deep that many of them had a "blank" moment. Moreover, the tragedy created a madness across the country where the white segregationists seemed to take down the leader of the civil rights movement, and of course, the black Americans who were angry at the moment would unleash their anger towards cities and white people[4]. The only voice that actually calmed African Americans was Petey's voice. He and Dewey collaborated to prevent the killing of white businessmen from the anger of African Americans. Later on, he went to the radio, spoke to everyone telling them to pour out their anger by going home and not burning their city. He says "Bring your heartache. Bring your anger. We gonna work it out together.” and asked them to join him for a free James Brown concert the next night. He aspired many African Americans to stay calm and fight racism non violently as King always reminded everyone that racism can be banished through the nonviolent fight. Not only that, Petey had aspired many people to be interested to talk about the Civil Rights movement. What he had done had established a stage where African American's voices are spoken especially regarding the Black Power movement[5]

References

  1. Talk to Me (2007). IMDb. Retrieved January 24 2021
  2. Petey Greene RogerEbert. Retrieved January 24 2021
  3. Tom Wiener. Talk to Me (2007) Matt's Movie Reviews. Retrieved January 24 2021
  4. Roger Ebert. Fighting the power RogerEbert. Retrieved January 24 2021
  5. Bob Hoose. Talk to Me PluggedIn. Retrieved January 24 2021