Dear White People (2014)

The lives of four black students at an Ivy League college.

Director:

Justin Simien

Writer:

Justin Simien (screenplay)

Stars:

Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner

14 wins & 27 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tyler James Williams	...	Lionel Higgins
Tessa Thompson	...	Samantha White
Kyle Gallner	...	Kurt Fletcher
Teyonah Parris	...	Colandrea 'Coco' Conners
Brandon P Bell	...	Troy Fairbanks (as Brandon Bell)
Brittany Curran	...	Sofia Fletcher
Justin Dobies	...	Gabe
Marque Richardson	...	Reggie
Malcolm Barrett	...	Helmut West
Dennis Haysbert	...	Dean Fairbanks
Peter Syvertsen	...	President Fletcher
Brandon Alter	...	George
Kate Gaulke	...	Annie (as Katie Gaulke)
Brian James	...	Martin
Keith Myers	...	Mitch

Storyline

A social satire that follows the stories of four black students at an Ivy League college where controversy breaks out over a popular but offensive black-face party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in acutely-not-post-racial America while weaving a universal story of forging one's unique path in the world.

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Plot Keywords:

race relations | satire | ivy league university | controversy | election | 

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Taglines:

A satire about being a black face in a white place

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

M

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sofia derisively tells Coco that she knows to ask whether or not Coco's hair is "weaved" because she had to watch Chris Rock's 2009 documentary Good Hair (2009) for a class. When Dear White People was released on DVD, the first trailer that appeared in front of the movie was for Good Hair.

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Goofs

The flame on the candle in Sam's room on Halloween night is static, revealing that it is fake.

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Quotes

President Fletcher: [Upon hearing Sam's radio show] Free speech my ass.
Dean Fairbanks: Stalin quotes for $200, please?
President Fletcher: Are you joking about this?
Dean Fairbanks: Oh, I'm sorry. Was I supposed to take "free speech my ass" as a legitimate suggestion?

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Crazy Credits

The end credits include photographs of the real-life blackface (and brownface) college parties that inspired the film's climax.

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Connections

References Coming to America (1988)

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Soundtracks

No New Leaders
Performed by Mibbs
Written by Michael B. Steveman, Neely Dinkins Jr. (as Neely Dinkins), Vito A. Colapietro II (as Vito Colapietro)
Courtesy of Atom Factory Music Licensing & What You Want From The Store

User Reviews

Smart, funny, twisted satire

I give this movie an 8. It is funny, but can be uncomfortable at times. Its a movie I do not expect everybody to get. Like Spike Lee's do the right thing, It will make some feel uncomfortable and immediately go on the defense- which in turn makes them not appreciate the comedy the writing, the cast or the message.

This movie shows real people, real thoughts, real characters. It not glossed over , sugar coated characters ( nor extremist).

The movie offers different view points on what it is like to be a black person in this suppose to be "post racial" country that we live in.

I would give it a look, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2014 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Cara Gente Branca

Filming Locations:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$347,959, 19 October 2014

Gross USA:

$4,404,154

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,633,961

Company Credits

Production Co:

Code Red, Duly Noted, Homegrown Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color