Ploumis reviews “Belle”  (2013)…Movies are important. They not only entertain us, but also affect us at a deeper, cultural level. We live in a time that is rife with racial debates and injustices.In a world reeling from the effects of Ferguson and Eric Garner, a film that can take us back to the beginning (or somewhat close to the beginning of) the era of racial intolerance may just be what our culture NEEDS to help point out what we are still doing wrong.

Belle…directed by Amma Asante; written by Misan Sagay

This film is about two things:

First, it shows viewers a heroine possessing beauty and courage to a degree not seen elsewhere in 18^th century England. Secondly, it depicts the journey of inner and external conflict experienced by a woman of mixed race and (also depicts) her attempt  to fit into the world of high society.

.Belle is based on a true story, the life of of a mixed race girl – Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha Raw) – who is sent by her naval officer father to live with her rich great uncle and aunt. At this time Britain Is in the midst of her most active period of colonization and slave trading, a period which placed a strict emphasis on propriety. When Lord and Lady Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson) see that their niece is black, they protest against taking her into their home. In response, Dido’s father reminds them that as his daughter she has every right to be there from a legal point of view.This reminder appeals to Lord Mansfield, a Supreme Court judge who believes whole-heartedly in the rule of law.

Dido’s father must leave for his next voyage, but not before he assures his daughter of how much she is loved. We see this years later, when his death on the high seas has made her the heiress of a considerable fortune! Dido is subsequently raised alongside her cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon), and the two of them grow to love each other as sisters. Thanks to her peculiar dilemma Dido feels disconnected from her world in high society despite her loving home and financial security.Her dilemma is this: on the one hand, her station is not low enough to permit her to socialize with other Africans. On the other hand, she is not even allowed – because of her race – a seat at her own dining table when the house she calls home receives gentlemen callers. These same gentlemen perceive Dido as a mere object; albeit an object that promises  a very attractive fortune.

She is also viewed as a beautiful temptress meant to lure them into ruin and scandal. This belief brands her as is the “exotic other”,  a term which refers to the paradoxical sense of being attracted to what may also disgusts one. There is a private moment in the film where Dido retreats to her room and looks at herself in the mirror. The corner of her eyes well up with tears as she beats her chest and tries to “scrub the black” off of her skin. If she could only wipe hard enough . . . maybe she could be accepted. (This scene honestly broke my heart).

.While Dido wages internal war over her identity and where she belongs in the world externally, the same battle rages on in the world at large. John Davinier (Sam Reid) is an aspiring young lawyer fighting the injustice of the slave trade. Davinier seeks to apprentice with Lord Mansfield and combat the inhumane way in which the slaves’ lives are seen as cargo and bartered as such. When Dido and Davinier meet, they are intrigued by one another’s outspokenness. For the first time, Dido is treated like an equal and finds a commonality with Davinier that she never felt before. Despite their mutual interest, MANY obstacles stand in the way of the two being together-worst of which is that Dido is engaged to another . . .

On a very personal note, I grew up watching movies about ladies fair from times past. I’d watch them teeter towards love dressed in lavish gowns, ornate jewels and romantic hairstyles – beautiful women with beautiful lives. It wasn’t until I got older, that I noticed a similarity between all of these women.

Simply put, they were all white. As a mixed race woman myself (Latina and Caucasian), it was wonderful to see this lovely character on film. Too long have minority women been unrepresented in film, especially when it comes to the role of the beautiful and delicate heroine. Historically it was white women who were the duchesses and countesses; queens and ladies of the manor. That is why this movie is so special – because it’s true.

My hope is that the definition of beauty will change in a way that affords little girls the opportunity to see a character who looks like them and thus reaffirm their own beauty. To do this we need to stop “scrubbing the black” off of our women in film and embrace a more diverse pallet when storytelling.