- Published: September 10, 2022
- Updated: September 10, 2022
- University / College: Queen's University at Kingston
- Language: English
- Downloads: 44
“ American History X” is a crime drama that was filmed in 1998 by Tony Kaye. This movie is one of the deepest and most powerful films, and it is almost impossible to find weaknesses in it. It is also a heavy social drama that affects one of the acutest problems of modern America – interracial conflicts.
“ American History X” is the name of the school essay and also the name of American Tragedy of modern times. The main characters made a mutual hatred as a manner of their life and their thoughts. Hatred is the air they breathe; it is also the thing that they are proud of and that is inscribed on their flags.
The main characters are Derek and his brother Danny. Their father who was a fireman was shot, and killer was never caught. Derek became cruel and joined the local neo-Nazi. Danny, who always admired his strong and stubborn brother and followed his example, becomes a skinhead with him.
Director managed to uncover the social abscess without getting on anyone’s side. We can also admire Derek’s brilliant monologues from one side full of hate and from the other side they are full of common sense. He is always ready to act. He is ready to fight. And he did, he killed two men in front of his brother. And only in prison Derek begins to see that this cruelty was not necessary.
Danny is a very kind person. Derek was a hero for him. After seeing all the incidents, he becomes as cruel as his brother used to be. He proudly carries the flag of fascism. One black teenager shoots Danny in the school bathroom. And when the viewers see Derek crying over his brother’s body we all understand that there will be no revenge. It was clear the most important thing is to stop the evil.
In the end, Derek said: “ Life is too short to spend it for evil. It’s not worth it.” And that is how he finished his essay, and the teacher called this essay “ American History X.”