2019 OSCARS: BlacKkKlansman (2018) - Tension; Intercutting for Compare & Contrast, Cause & Effect

[Quick Summary: This is the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African American cop in Denver, who infiltrated the KKK.]

TWO THINGS THIS SCRIPT DOES WELL:

1)  RISING TENSION. This script was not super-fun to read, but it read smoothly. I particularly liked the continued rise in tension until the end.  

2) INTERCUT A + INTERCUT B = COMPARE & CONTRAST

This script intercuts two simultaneous events (A, B) which makes the audience compare and contrast two opposing views.

In the scene below:
- Scene A:  Jerome Turner, 90 y.o. black man, speaks to the Black Student Union about a public lynching of his friend.
- Scene B: Devin Davis, Grand Master of the Klan, initiates undercover cop Flip.
- Notice the intercutting of Turner and Davis makes the audience think about the cause and effect:

• past vs. present = We see that the present is still perpetuating past behaviors.
• pain vs. 'glory' = We see how that pain will continue because of these new members.
• new ideas vs. old ideas =  Patrice and friends want a new world. Klan wants the old.

ex.  "INT. FREEDOM HOUSE - DAY

CLOSE - JEROME TURNER

JEROME TURNER: I was working at the Shoe Shine Parlor. After the verdict, a Mob grabbed Jesse, wrapped a Chain around his Neck and dragged him out the Court House.

CLOSE - 3 SHOT - PATRICE, ODETTA, HAKEEM

CLOSE - JEROME TURNER

JEROME TURNER: I knew I had to hide.

INT. PRIVATE ROOM - STEAKHOUSE - DAY

DEVIN DAVIS: Ron Stallworth. Are you a White, Non-Jewish American Citizen?

Flip is breathing hard.

FLIP: Yes.

DEVIN DAVIS:Yes, what?

FLIP: I am a White, Non-Jewish American Citizen.

INT. FREEDOM HOUSE - DAY

CLOSE - PATRICE

Tears rolls down her face.

JEROME TURNER (V.O.): The Attic of the Parlor had a Small Window and I watched below as The Mob marched Jesse along Stabbing and Beating him. Finally, they held Jesse down and cut his Testicles off in Front of City Hall.

CLOSE - JEROME TURNER

JEROME TURNER (V.O.): The Police and city Officials were out there just watching like it was a 4th of July Parade.

INT. PRIVATE ROOM - STEAKHOUSE - DAY

Davis looks into Flip's Eyes. Flip returns The Stare.

DEVIN DAVIS: Are you in favor of a White Man's Government in this Country?"

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I liked the deliberate intercutting of A and B to assist the audience in comparing and contrasting, in cause and effect.

It's not just a fancy technique for show.

BlacKkKlansman (2018) 
by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee