Black Characters in Black Independent Cinema

A list of differences between mainstream and independent cinema could occupy hundreds of pages, but I'd like to focus mainly on the portrayal of Black characters in independent cinema compared to their depictions in the Hollywood mainstream. A film I think references this difference well is Spike Lee's classic Do the Right Thing. Whereas most Hollywood films contain Black characters as nothing more than a person in the story, Lee uses his characters to accomplish something different. Rather than depicting them as singular people with individual explanations, he shows the Black population in Bed-Stuy for what they really are—an important community—filled with characters who back each other up as well as ridicule each other. In doing this, Lee attacks and wards off elements of his version of the Bed-Stuy community that don't appreciate or accept Black culture. One example of this is the "sneaker scene" from Do the Right Thing (http://youtu.be/jc6_XgtOQgI), where Black characters from the community take part in another character's attempt at revenge by trash talk.

In my opinion, I think independent film communicates with audiences best. Sure there are always going to be great Hollywood films being made, but when you remove the enormous budgets and hype, all you have left are the story, characters, and the filmmakers. They can't rely on money to rescue them all the time and that sense of determination is often something I consider when watching an independent film.