Unchained memories – film response essay sample

The documentary made by HBO in 2003 named “ Unchained Memories” talks about several true stories of slaves who were interviewed during the 1930s. The stories that are narrated are from real people who experienced by firsthand the situations they had to face. During the period of slavery black men, women and children were subjected to slavery, discrimination, humilliation, beatings, inhumane treatment, abuse and starvation. In those moments when a black person was discriminated against and regarded as less, their only chance to survive in society was right through slavery. Despite the abuse, they were receiving some food and shelter. As at that time and during slavery in which there was a law where slaved people could not have education, slavery was their only way to survive as a person. Examples of how the masters treated their slaves is very well described throughout this film.

The way the owners treated their slaves is to keep them fearful, submissive and cooperative in which the master always humiliate them in order to keep them in line. They have no power over anything or their masters. The master in one of the stories raped slave women for humilliation and their own sexual needs. Another example of bad treatment is the intense hard work that they were put through and the work hours they were forced to work all day long and in worst times. When I watched the documentary I already had an idea how slavery was during those times, a very harsh environment. Because that was a time of discrimination and white people believed they have more power over black ones and white people were the ones who lived well the bad treatments to their slaves was rough.