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BROOKLYN
BABYLON
The
complexities of a relationship between two people from completely
different worlds. Solomon is black. His spiritual background is
Rastafarian. Sarah is white. She comes from a Hasidic Jewish background.
REVIEW
BY SIMON REMARK
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BROOKLYN BABYLON
(May 22, 2001 direct to video)
This page was created on July 03, 2001
This page was last updated on May 23, 2005 |
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Directed by Marc Levin
Writing credits Marc Levin, Bonz Malone, and Pam Widener
Tariq
Trotter .... Sol
Karen Goberman .... Sara
David Vadim .... Judah
Bonz Malone .... Scratch
Joanne Baron .... Rose
Daniel Serafini-Sauli
Produced
by Joanne Baron (co-producer), Alex Gibney (executive producer),
Henri M. Kessler (producer), Bonz Malone (associate producer), Jake
Myers (co-producer), Rich Nichols (co-producer), David Peipers (executive
producer), John Sloss (executive producer), Ezra Swerdlow (producer),
Lisa West (associate producer)
Cinematography by Mark Benjamin
Film
Editing by Emir Lewis
MPAA:
Rated R
for language, and for some violence, sexuality and drug use.
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Love's
ability to cross social boundaries.
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STUDIO SYNOPSIS:
BROOKLYN BABYLON is a story of love's ability to cross social boundaries.
A young upcoming rapper, Sol (played by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter,
lead singer of rap group The Roots) falls for Sara, (Karen Goberman)
a young attractive Jewish woman. The effects of their love echo across
the boundaries that both of their faiths and communities have in place
against mixed romances. |
 Review
by
SIMON REMARK
simon_remark@hotmail.com
Film Reviewer
Simon
graduated from Trinity Western University where he studied film
under prolific screenwriter Ned Vankevich. He prefers independent
and lower-budget films.
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 Brooklyn
Babylon looks at the complexities of a relationship between two people
from completely different worlds. Solomon (Tariq Trotter) is black.
He's an MC. His hip-hop group is trying to succeed while remaining
independent. His spiritual background is Rastafarian. Sarah (Karen
Goberman) is white. She comes from a Hasidic Jewish background. Her
family is very traditional; dogmatic; deeply religious. Yet Sol and
Sarah share an obstinate love and compassion for one another. |
 The
film begins by going back and forth between each character, highlighting
some cultural differences: Sol and his group (The Roots) practicing,
Sarah at a traditional Jewish wedding. Sol and Sarah's worlds collide
at an intersection dividing the Jewish and black communities in Brooklyn
when their cars crash. She is driving home from the wedding with her
fiancé-whom she doesn't love-and a few other young men. Sol is driving
home with his manager, a long-time friend. And while Sol's manager
and Sarah's fiancé curse at one another-Sol's manager tells the Jews
they are on the wrong side of the dividing line-Sarah and Sol share
an enchanting moment; their attraction to one another seems apparent. |
 Sol
and Sarah again cross paths not long after this incident in a beautiful
garden that joins their respective neighborhoods. They share a mutual
allure that is evident in the way they look at and talk to each other.
But Sarah is scared of what may happen if the two are seen together
because of the existing prejudices amongst the blacks and Jews in
Brooklyn. Her fear intensifies when her fiancé's car is bombed: she
thinks Sol and his manager are involved until she confronts Sol about
the occurrence and sees that he is genuinely hurt that she would suspect
him. |
| The
car bombing exacerbates the already shaky relationship between the
neighboring blacks and Jews; however, Sol and Sarah continue to pursue
their interest in one another amidst the turmoil. "I know you," he
says to her during an early conversation, pointing out a mystical
connection between the two. And as their relationship grows, the conflict
between the blacks and Jews grows also. |
| One
interesting aspect of the film is how the elders of each religion
respond to Sol and Sarah's relationship, and interracial relationships
in general. During a family dinner Sarah asks her father why they
never have anyone other than Jews in their home if their mandate is
to love their neighbors. Her father can't come up with a sufficient
reason. In contrast, when Sol discusses the subject with the Rastafarian
elders they are much more accepting: love is love; they explain that
race doesn't matter. |
| Some
viewers might argue that the film is somewhat anti-Semitic, but Brooklyn
Babylon takes the same approach as Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing
by showing each race involved in the film's various conflicts as equally
flawed. Both the blacks and Jews caught up in the ongoing struggles
are shown as equally narrow-minded and intolerant. Neither race is
favored over the other. |
 The
film's premise is that love can overcome adversity, no matter how
tremendous. And while this theme may seem cliché, or overdone, screenwriter
Marc Levin (Slam) presents this story creatively; Brooklyn Babylon
has an original, mystical feel and spiritual ambiance to it. The theme
is brought to life through creative narration and biblical allusions.
And first timer Tariq Trotter, hip-hop MC Black Thought of The Roots,
seems very natural in his role as the film's protagonist. His first
few exchanges with Sarah have that awkward, exciting feel of a budding
relationship. |
| Another
interesting characteristic of the film is Sol's devotion to his art
form. When his manager presents him with a contract, which includes
a large signing bonus, Sol turns it down, deciding instead to maintain
creative control of his music. He refuses to compromise, just as he
refuses to compromise his faith and love for Sarah. |
-Simon
S. Remark
simon_remark@hotmail.com
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BROOKLYN
BABYLON REVIEW
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002
From: Gettye Israel
As
a Black woman- who is also a Hebrew- I was totally insulted by the
premise of this purported movie. This was nothing more than Hollywood's
continual perpetuation of the "Negro" man in pursuit of the white
female, and religion was just an added twist.
Yet,
we are suppose to think this movie was progressive and challenging.
Why is it considered progressive for a black male and white female
to be intimately involved? This is the same old tired image of inter-racial
relationships being depicted in film, television, advertisments, and
too often in real life. There was nothing unique in this story, nothing
we haven't seen many times before.
When
will the Black female ever be the subject of an inter-racial relationship?
Why is it that white men are absolutely never shown pursuing Black
women or expressing the slightest interest in them? White men control
all the major institutions in the Western world, namely the U.S.;
however, he is consistently shown with the white woman. The white
male is never depicted intimately with the Black female because Hollywood
does not want to disrespect and insult it white female market. However,
it has no regards for Black women's feelings.
This
pitiful portrayal of inter-racial "love" props up the white female
as a model of femininity and sensuality. In other words, a man, particularly
a Black man, will give up family, friends, finance and even his life
in the pursuit of a white woman.
Finally,
Sheba was a woman of African descent; she was not a pale face European.
Tariq Trotter wears locks and professes to be African-centered but
obviously he is a liar and a perpetrator.
Gettye Israel
Journalist
BROOKLYN
BABYLON PRAYING
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: 22 Feb 2002
From: "DeSade"
for
god to stop this movie and smite it's creators. just becuse you make
a political statment doe not give you the right to make a horrible
movie.
LOVED
THIS MOVIE
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
From: CLB
I
loved this movie. Both characters were played exceptionally well.
You could truly feel the chemistry between them (it was very sensual,
very real) and the story was well written. The park and garden scenes
were visually rich and shot beautifully. The tension between the
two races/religions was strongly felt and quite riveting. I especially
enjoyed the string over beats in the score as well as Tariq's performances
with his band. I hope to see him in more movies. Props to the director
as well. Slam was a wonderfully made film as well.
Peace. CLB.
BEST
MOVIE IN YEARS
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
From: "nonya"
I just watched the movie for the first time on BET and it was the
best movie i have seen in years this movie has a point that i think
a lot of people in this world need to look at the characters were
so opend minded about the things that were going on and this is
what i liketo see in movies all the way from Anchorage Alaska Showing
much love for Brooklyn i hope for more mocies like this holla
BLESSED
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001
From: "Lubica"
Seeing
the movie was a great expereince for me. I love the spirituality
of it. You dont see that in many movies (and it looked so real too).
It touched me greatly. It is my new favourite movie. I like that
it wasn't 'Hollywood polished' because that made the story and the
characters more real. Great cast as well. (I also really liked the
whole Solomon and Cheba story... ) I have nothing but possitive
thoughts about this movie...!
At
first i was a bit sceptical, because it seems that it is becoming
a fashion in these days to have a black guy - white girl couple...
(why not black girl- white guy???) but the movie took the whole
thing to another level.
'nuff love Empress
Response:
It sure did. Thanks -David
PRAYING
FOR IGNORANCE TO END
Subject: Brooklyn_Babylon
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
From: LiL Bit
keep
praying for all this ignorance to end and for people to open their
minds and hearts and see the interior rather than judge whose inferior,
pray for respect and God , Jah , Allah..... to bring peace over
the world. FOR EVERYBODY STRIVING FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN , DON'T
STOP , NEVER STOP. DON'T LET HATE TEAR LOVE OR THIS WORLD APART.
LIL'BIT
Response:
Prayer is a good thing. -David
APPEALING
PREMISE
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2001
From: "Janet Fisher"
Thought
the premise was appealing and set a platform for enough tension
and depth to fuel the film's characters and plot. The cinematography
was visually rich and captured my eye. Unfortunately the film print
at BAM Rose theater was technically flawed and had to be rewound
or fast forwarded.
Janet Fisher
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