The story began with a flashback from New York in 1983. Hecht, a retired soldier who worked at a post office in Manhattan, saw an unfamiliar customer and accidentally kill him by gun. The police then found the head of a statue in his home. Then the movie returned to the cold winter in 1944. The 92nd Division of the American Infantry (known as the “Buffalo”), was established by blacks, four of whom: Aubrey Stops, Sopra Cummings, Sam Cuane and Hecht, wanted to rescue an Italian boy, Angelo. However, they were separated from the army and surrounded by a local village called Santa Ana. In a village in the Qana area called Santa Ana, on the one hand, they suffered a force that heavily discriminated against blacks in the country. As a result, they were oppressed by white superiors in the army; on the other hand, the local villagers who had been devastated by the war and had trembled with the black soldiers, gradually became enthusiastic about fighting against wars. Finally, they work together to create a miracle of fraternity and power beyond the class, race and boundaries.The four soldiers have sprung up race, class, and country. They make use of their bravery and faith to create a great miracle that was praised by the world. In fact, this film is adapted from the novel regarding a real event in the Tuscan region during the World War II.
Additionally, the director of the movie, Spike Lee, are known as the ” Black Fighter”. During his 25-year-long directorial period, no matter what kinds of movie, portray characters or satirical comedy, Spike always shows his endless care for the situation of the blacks, criticizes the various contradictions and barriers caused by the lack of communication between blacks and whites, and never forgets his original intention why he makes movies(McBride, 2008). Therefore, through his movies including Miracle at St. Anna, the audience can realize his care for blacks as well as the heroism of African Americans noted in his movies.
Then the various languages, colors and symbols indirectly indicate the intention to satire the discrimination against blacks and give supports to the African Americans. As for languages, most of actors in the film are local persons and Spike Lee lets them use the language of their own country in order to keep a true dialogue. Therefore, the audience seem to be in a familiar scene. These actors can respectively speak in English, German and Italian and many other languages. By doing so, the director expresses the fact that people from different countries have the same beliefs and the scene that people are doing the same prayer in different languages seems to metaphor people’s equality and injustice of war. For instance, the colors is also another way to reflect the current condition which these blacks are in. During the Second World War, the problem of racial discrimination prevailing in the United States did not ease much because of the military. The government even made the blacks separate into an army and regarded them as potential victims. Because of their color, Four soldiers, suffered from a indifferent treatment and estranged from their fellow citizens. Fortunately, they found spiritual comfort in a remote and small village in Italy. However, when I watched this film, I felt depressed and sad. Moreover, as well all know, Cigarettes, chocolates, ice cream were the symbols of the United States. For the local people, these products were luxuries and they can not afford for them. So these products reflect the superiority as a US soldier and a white American. The scene that the five persons stopped at the American ice cream shop made me cry.
This film combines with the cruelty of war and unfairness of social classes as well as racial discrimination. For the history of Africa Americans, racial discrimination is still a big issue for them. In essence, this history of Africa Americans is a story of African Americans pursuit for fairness and equality. In the film, the four soldiers suffered from discrimination and separation. They received unfair treatments from their white superiors. They made efforts to fight against the unfairness and wars. However, as a result, they finally faced a unjust response. The tragedy and triumph of the war are not only let the four soldiers realize that they are in risk, but also give a lesson to the audience for the racial discrimination(Gilmore et al, 2008, p. 262). Miracle at St. Anna explores the nature of human beings and inspires African Americans to pursue the equality and just across national boundaries, race and class. It is also successful in touching the goodness within us.
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