Archives
Edition 2022
Films
The action of Uptight (1968) takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, during the civil protests that took place after the death of Martin Luther King. A group of black revolutionaries leads the protesters and is preparing an arsenal of weapons for the race war that was about to happen. In the midst of all the chaos they are betrayed by one of their own group members.
Uptight is, in a way, the story of Judas (Tank) and the exploration of his sense of guilt. If guilt is the betrayal of one's own desires, which one betrayed? The desire for a revolution and social transformation? Or the desire to be loved and accepted by one's brothers and sisters?
Initially thought to be a modern adaptation of the classic directed by John Ford, The Informer (1935), Dassin decided to change the narrative from the city of Dublin to the North American city. A true classic of Arthouse and activism cinema, Uptight resulted from a remarkable collaboration between Jules Dassin and activist and actress Ruby Dee.
Uptight is, in a way, the story of Judas (Tank) and the exploration of his sense of guilt. If guilt is the betrayal of one's own desires, which one betrayed? The desire for a revolution and social transformation? Or the desire to be loved and accepted by one's brothers and sisters?
Initially thought to be a modern adaptation of the classic directed by John Ford, The Informer (1935), Dassin decided to change the narrative from the city of Dublin to the North American city. A true classic of Arthouse and activism cinema, Uptight resulted from a remarkable collaboration between Jules Dassin and activist and actress Ruby Dee.
-
Cast:
Raymond St. Jacques, Ruby Dee, Julian Mayfield, Janet MacLachlan, Roscoe Lee Browne -
Original Title:
Uptight -
Country:
United States of America -
Year:
1968 - 113' EN
Director
Jules Dassin
Jules Dassin was born on December 19th, 1911, in the state of Connecticut and died in Athens, Greece on March 31st, 2008. Born into a family of humble origins, he began his career as a theater actor and only moved to Cinema later, in the 1940´s, directing short films.
His career as renown director was solidified in the 1950s with movies such as Night and the City (1950), Rififi (1955) or Celui Qui Doit Mourir (1957).
Despite being recognized for the quality of his work Dassin was, in 1952, included in the McCarthy list of Communist in Hollywood and persecuted by McCarthy’s witch hunt movement. He was forced to seek exile in Athens and spent his career making films in different European countries.
His career as renown director was solidified in the 1950s with movies such as Night and the City (1950), Rififi (1955) or Celui Qui Doit Mourir (1957).
Despite being recognized for the quality of his work Dassin was, in 1952, included in the McCarthy list of Communist in Hollywood and persecuted by McCarthy’s witch hunt movement. He was forced to seek exile in Athens and spent his career making films in different European countries.
