June 1964. Three activists from the Civil Rights Committee have mysteriously disappeared in Mississippi. Two FBI agents, Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) and Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman), with opposite but complementary methods, are in charge of the investigation.
Very quickly, their investigations become disturbing and racially charged violence erupts in this town where the Ku Klux Klan incites hatred…
A chilling thriller… yet based on a very true story
Mississippi Burning is sure to bring you a cold sweat. With its night scenes, firstly, where the acts of intimidation on the two policemen become more and more intense as the film progresses.
From suspicious car tailings to gun attacks, the threat is ever-increasing, helping to build a truly pent-up tension. As the investigators are targeted, camped by two legendary actors at the top of their game, they are troubled in this apparently hostile environment where they are not welcome.
But with the incredible effort of director Alan Parker (Midnight Express, The Life of David Gale) there is a sense of dread to wake up in broad daylight, plain and simple.
A well-known small group in Jessup County, the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan is firmly involved in everyone’s lives, even in the political sphere. It was impossible to hide the two officers in broad daylight, and the appearance of the residents tells a lot about their ideas.
Therefore, the audience finds themselves immersed in the crushing daily life of Ward and Anderson, where danger appears to them day and night. But this daily life is only a scant glimpse of the very real life of African Americans.
Far from simple dystopian fiction with vaguely macabre accents, Mississippi is burning Reflects a reality firmly rooted in the history of the United States. The disappearance of the three civil rights activists actually happened in 1964 and sounds like an eerie echo of modern events.
As horrifying as it is political, as picturesque as it is instructive, Mississippi is burning It was awarded for outstanding cinematography and nominated in seven categories at the 1989 Academy Awards.
The Black Pearl, which will be available at UniversCiné from July 8.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
