Illusions (1982)

Illusions depicts a fictional 1940s Hollywood studio and defines film as a powerful historian, however, one that omits many cultures from its history. The protagonist Mignon Dupree ... See full synopsis »

Director:

Julie Dash

Writer:

Julie Dash

Stars:

Lonette McKee, Rosanne Katon, Ned Bellamy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lonette McKee	...	Mignon Dupree
Rosanne Katon	...	Esther
Ned Bellamy	...	LL
Jack Rader
Jack Lundi Faust	...	Janitor
Lisa Henke	...	Telephone Operator (as Lisa Phelps)
Laddy Ashley	...	LL's Secretary
Rita Crafts	...	Louise
Sandy Brooke	...	Blond Bombshell
Johnny Crear	...	Lec Gaines
John Childers	...	Sound Assistant
John MacBride	...	Sound Engineer
Gaye Kruger	...	Musical Singer
Oliver Woodall	...	Musical Dancer
Joseph T. McKenna	...	Musical Dancer

Storyline

Illusions depicts a fictional 1940s Hollywood studio and defines film as a powerful historian, however, one that omits many cultures from its history. The protagonist Mignon Dupree expresses the need for "films that give the public situations and characters that they can recognize as part of their own lives." Illusions is a candidly self-aware film because it takes place in a fictional studio, and its characters discuss Hollywood's film production directly. The films title refers to the faults in cinemas portrayal of reality. Furthermore, Illusions also points to its own artificiality, identifying itself as a film object. Illusions features two invisible blacks: Mignon Dupree, invisible as an African American studio executive passing for white, and Esther Jeeter, as the invisible singer hired to dub the singing parts for white film star Leila Grant.

Self-reflexive films identify themselves as cinematic objects by calling attention to the filmmaking process. Using editing techniques ...

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Plot Keywords:

social commentary | self sacrifice | self reliance | self discovery | race relations | 

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Genres:

Drama | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ilusiones

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

34 min

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

Rarely seen view of race and Hollywood

I was lucky to view this film in class with decent sound. From what I understand, most the sound is barely audible on most prints. Sad, because Illusions is an example of race that is not often seen in the media. One of the few other examples I can think of is Alex Haley's Queen, but that took place over a hundred years ago, whereas Illusions is slightly more modern (and therefore hits closer to home), having taken place during WW2. But the issue of "passing" for the majority is not something the majority often thinks about, and I feel that many of my classmates were quite surprised by this film. That's a good thing though.