Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask

Those who don’t know much about Frantz Fanon before seeing this sort-of cinematic essay are not likely to have a handle on much more by the end. A fascinating and internationally influential figure who died at age 36 in 1961, Fanon was a mixed-race (although clearly black) youth born in Martinique, back when it was a French colony. Leaving the island in 1943 to join Free French forces during World War II, he later found that, despite his demonstrated bravery during the fight and his loyalty to France, he was subject to profound racial hostility from European whites. After becoming a psychiatrist, Fanon eventually took the reins of a psychiatric hospital in Algeria. Between his developing beliefs about the psychological underpinnings of race-based colonialism and a series of personal experiences leading to his support for Algerian revolution against France, he would create a lasting legacy for people struggling against occupation and oppression through his writing, relationships with fellow intellectuals, and pan-Africanism ideas. Unfortunately, little of that is clear or cohesive in this 1995 film by Isaac Julien, which fails to provide enough context for viewers to be able to truly grasp why Fanon is still an important figure. Featuring Colin Salmon as Fanon in dramatic re-creations, this is a visually indulgent work, with opaque lyricism and confusing refrains. Extras include the 1992 short drama "Between Two Worlds" by producer Mark Nash, and a booklet with essays by Julien and Nash. Optional. (T. Keogh)