This website is a restored version archived for the film department and used by Dr. Fisher's film studies course and by Dr. Lucy for his citizen advocacy project. Students should consult their course material for the specific requirements set by each professor. Fisher and Lucy are collaborating on an effort to advocate for the regulation of big tech, and are working on a documentary that exposes problems with accountability, especially for Google search. If Google reveals personal information in their search results, it is virtually impossible to restore your privacy since removing Google results is not required by law as it is in the EU, where requests for removal must be respected. Google is completely unresponsive to such requests without a legal obligation and the documentary reveals both the harm and the frustration that comes with having no recourse against a tech giant. There are a few organizations that are working toward remedying this situation, like Regulate Google Now!, but until laws are passed, a harmful search result is likely to remain in place. The film department is currently recruiting student volunteers to work on the documentary. Release date to be announced.
Honey Dripper : The Movie
Synopsis
Iconoclastic filmmaker John Sayles, in his 16th feature film, continues his extraordinary examination of the complexities and shifting identities of American sub-cultures in the new film “Honeydripper.” With his usual understated intelligence, Sayles uses the rhythms of the citizens of Harmony, Alabama to immerse the audience into the world of the Jim Crow south. It’s a fable about the birth of rock n’ roll-a quintessentially American subject, but with a fidelity to time and temperament that is unusual in an American director.
It’s 1950 and it’s a make or break weekend for Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover), the proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge. Deep in debt, Tyrone is desperate to bring back the crowds that used to come to his place. He decides to lay off his long-time blues singer Bertha Mae, and announces that he’s hired a famous guitar player, Guitar Sam, for a one night only gig in order to save the club.
Into town drifts Sonny Blake, a young man with nothing to his name but big dreams and the guitar case in his hand. Rejected by Tyrone when he applies to play at the Honeydripper, he is intercepted by the corrupt local Sheriff, arrested for vagrancy and rented out as an unpaid cotton picker to the highest bidder. But when Tyrone’s ace-in-the-hole fails to materialize at the train station, his desperation leads him back to Sonny and the strange, wire-dangling object in his guitar case. The Honeydripper lounge is all set to play its part in rock n’ roll history.
Trailer
Full Movie
Review From rogerebert.com
By Roger Ebert
John Sayles' "Honeydripper" is set at the intersection of two movements that would change American life forever: civil rights, and rhythm & blues. They may have more to do with each other than you might think, although that isn't his point. He's more concerned with spinning a ground-level human comedy than searching for pie in the sky. His movie is rich with characters and flowing with music.
The time, around 1950. The place, Harmony, Alabama. The chief location, the Honeydripper Lounge, which serves a good drink but is feeling the competition from a juke joint down the road. Its proprietor, Pine Top Purvis (Danny Glover), is desperately in debt. The wife, Delilah (Lisa Gay Hamilton), is causing him some concern: Will she get religion and disapprove of his business? His best friend, Maceo (Charles S. Dutton), is a sounding board for his problems. The nightmare is the local sheriff (Stacy Keach), who is a racist, but doesn't go overboard like most. Club characters: the blues singer (Mable John) and her man (Vondie Curtis-Hall).
Into Harmony one day comes a footloose young man named Sonny, played by Gary Clark Jr., in real life a rising guitar phenom. He drifts into the Honeydripper looking for a job or a meal, and carrying something no one has ever seen before: a homemade electric guitar, carved out of a solid block of wood. Pine Top has no work for him, and the youth is soon arrested by the sheriff (his crime: existing while unemployed) and put to work picking cotton for a crony.
Meanwhile, in desperation, Pine Top books the great Guitar Sam out of New Orleans and puts up posters all over town. Sure, he can't afford him, but the plan is, Guitar Sam will bring in enough business on one Saturday night to pay his own salary and also the lounge's worst bills. Pine Top finds out what real desperation is when Guitar Sam doesn't arrive on the train. He wonders if the kid with the funny guitar can play a little. After all, no one in Harmony knows what Guitar Sam really looks like.
Now all the pieces are in place for an unwinding of local race issues, personal issues, financial issues and some very, very good music, poised just at that point when the blues were turning into rhythm and blues, which after all is what rock 'n' roll is only an alias for. Because after all, yes, the kid can play a little. More than a little.
John Sayles has made 19 films, and none of them are two-character studies. As the writer of his own work, he instinctively embraces the communities in which they take place. He's never met a man who was an island. Everyone connects, and when that includes black and white, rich and poor, young and old, there are lessons to be learned, and his generosity to his characters overflows into affection.
Danny Glover is well cast to stand at the center of this story. A tall, imposing, grave presence as Pine Top, he is not so much a music lover as a survivor. This is his last chance to save the Honeydripper and his means of making a living. And Gary Clark Jr. is the right man to be told: "Tonight, you are Guitar Sam." He may be a prodigy, but he is broke, scared, young and far from home. So this isn't one of those show-biz stories where a talent scout is in the audience, but a story where the audience looks at him with great suspicion until his music makes them smile.
As for the sheriff's role: As I suggested, lots of Alabama sheriffs were more racist than he is, which is not a character recommendation, but means that he isn't evil just to pass the time and would rather avoid trouble than work up a sweat. At that time, in that place, he was about the best you could hope for. Within a few more years, the Bull Connors would be run out of town, one man would have one vote, and the music of the African-American South would rule the world. That all had to start somewhere. It didn't start on Saturday night at the Honeydripper, but it didn't stop there, either.
More Background on Honeydripper
John Sayles, the acclaimed director, brought to life the film Honeydripper in 2007, offering viewers a powerful glimpse into the intersection of music, culture, and social change in the American South during the 1950s. Set against the backdrop of racial segregation and the evolution of musical genres, the movie highlights the birth of rock 'n' roll and its roots in rhythm and blues. This film not only stands out as a culturally significant piece but also serves as a vehicle to discuss broader themes of race, economic hardship, and the resilience of art.
Overview of the Plot
Honeydripper is set in Harmony, Alabama, a fictional small town where the lives of ordinary citizens are shaped by the struggles of the era. The film centers around Tyrone "Pine Top" Purvis (played by Danny Glover), a down-on-his-luck club owner who is trying to save his business, the Honeydripper Lounge. Purvis, in desperation, plans a last-ditch attempt to attract customers by booking a famous musician, Guitar Sam, for a special performance. However, when Guitar Sam doesn’t show up, Purvis turns to Sonny Blake (played by Gary Clark Jr.), a young drifter who carries with him a homemade electric guitar, and the film beautifully unfolds from there.
Historical Context and Significance
The film is set during a pivotal moment in American history—the late 1940s and early 1950s, a time when racial segregation was still entrenched in the South, but also a period when the cultural landscape was rapidly shifting. Honeydripper captures the essence of this time, reflecting the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement, alongside the emergence of rock 'n' roll, a genre that would go on to break many of the racial barriers that segregated musical tastes.
This context is crucial to understanding the significance of Honeydripper. The music that Sonny Blake plays—his electric guitar—represents the future, a sound that will bridge divides and change popular music forever. It's no accident that the film's climax revolves around Blake’s performance at the Honeydripper Lounge, where the old-world blues meets the new, vibrant sounds of rock 'n' roll.
John Sayles is known for his ability to weave social commentary into his films, and Honeydripper is no exception. The film examines how African-American musicians contributed to the creation of a distinctly American musical form while also enduring the hardships of Jim Crow-era discrimination. For many, Honeydripper is not just a film about music but also a tribute to the resilience and creativity of African-American communities.
Critical Reception and Reviews
Critics have praised Honeydripper for its richly textured storytelling and its exploration of the intersection between music and social history. Roger Ebert, in his review, noted how Sayles created a film that focused on "ground-level human comedy" rather than reaching for grand, sweeping statements about the Civil Rights Movement or rock 'n' roll’s explosive rise. Instead, the film offers a more intimate look at how these larger social movements impacted individuals and small communities.
Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian also noted that the film’s strength lies in its quiet and unassuming style, as it eschews melodrama in favor of a more realistic portrayal of life in the South during this era. He lauded the performances of Danny Glover and Gary Clark Jr., particularly praising the latter’s authentic musicality, which lent the film a palpable sense of authenticity.
Press Coverage and Media Attention
Honeydripper garnered considerable attention in the press upon its release, both for its subject matter and for its director, John Sayles, a filmmaker known for his independence from Hollywood's mainstream. Sayles has long been celebrated for his ability to tackle difficult subjects in a subtle and thoughtful manner, and Honeydripper was no different.
The film received coverage from major outlets such as The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, both of which highlighted its role in reviving interest in the roots of rock 'n' roll and its examination of race relations during the 1950s. Variety also reviewed the film, emphasizing the way Sayles managed to blend music with social commentary without losing the film’s human touch. Despite its modest box office performance, the film was lauded for its cultural significance and its reflection on the struggles of African-American communities in the post-World War II era.
Audience and Cultural Impact
Honeydripper appeals to a diverse audience, ranging from film enthusiasts interested in historical dramas to music lovers captivated by the origins of rock 'n' roll. While the film was not a massive commercial success, it has gained a dedicated following over the years, particularly among those who appreciate films with deep cultural resonance.
The film also had a particular resonance with African-American audiences, who could see their history and struggles reflected in the characters and the storyline. For younger audiences, especially fans of Gary Clark Jr., the film offered an opportunity to connect with the roots of the music they love. Clark’s performance in Honeydripper was widely celebrated for its authenticity, as the musician is known for his ability to blend blues, rock, and soul in a way that mirrors the film’s themes.
Over time, Honeydripper has come to be seen as a significant cultural artifact. The film not only tells the story of the birth of rock 'n' roll but also serves as a reminder of the role that African-Americans played in shaping America’s musical landscape. For this reason, Honeydripper continues to be discussed in academic circles, particularly in courses focused on music history, African-American studies, and film studies.
Cultural and Social Significance
Beyond its storyline, Honeydripper is important for its exploration of how music can serve as a form of resistance and cultural expression. In the Jim Crow South, music was one of the few avenues through which African-Americans could assert their identities and challenge the status quo. The film’s depiction of the transition from blues to rock 'n' roll is more than just a musical evolution; it symbolizes the broader social changes that were beginning to take shape during this time.
Moreover, Honeydripper touches on the economic realities faced by African-Americans in the South. Tyrone Purvis, the club owner, is not just fighting to save his business—he is fighting for survival in a society that is structured to keep him in poverty. His story reflects the broader struggles of African-American business owners during this time, many of whom faced significant barriers to economic success due to discriminatory practices.
Insights and Examples
One of the most powerful aspects of Honeydripper is its attention to detail. Sayles, known for his meticulous research, captures the texture of life in the South with remarkable accuracy. From the music to the language to the social dynamics, everything in the film feels authentic. This attention to detail is also evident in the film’s depiction of the music itself. The electric guitar that Sonny Blake carries with him is not just a prop—it is a symbol of the future, a future where African-American musicians would go on to revolutionize popular music.
In one particularly memorable scene, Sonny takes the stage at the Honeydripper Lounge and begins to play his electric guitar. The reaction of the audience is one of skepticism at first, but as he plays, their expressions change, and they begin to dance. This moment captures the essence of the film—the power of music to break down barriers and bring people together, even in the most divided of societies.
Honeydripper stands as a testament to the transformative power of music and the resilience of African-American communities in the face of oppression. Through its richly drawn characters, historical context, and unforgettable music, the film offers a window into a pivotal moment in American history. John Sayles’ ability to blend personal stories with broader social commentary makes Honeydripper not only an entertaining film but also an important cultural document.