It doesn’t surprise me that Ryan Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” got over-shadowed in this article by “Black Panther”. I agree with Mr. Riley about superheroes being in service to the establishment and I was also bothered that Wakanda was a stereotyped spear and shield monarchy and not at least a model social democracy.
I’m looking forward to seeing “Sorry to Bother You” and hoping the premier will be at the Grand Lake Theater.
Sorry to say that the Little Bistro deli has closed but hope to run into Boots at G......y’s I. C.
12
Telemarketing is a breakdown of rule of law, not capitalism; those annoying calls are illegal, and ironically but tellingly originate from countries that value socialism. But if the movie is actually funny, I'm down.
4
Well, that does sound bonkers -- can't wait!
“So it’s all those things, then — telemarketing. People usually laugh right there.”
I did. Immediately made me think of the protagonist's hellbound job in The Good Place (“You need me to lie to old people and scare them into buying fake medicine. I get it, man. Which one's my desk?”). But flogging WMDs and slave labor? A touch darker than pushing chalk!
7
Great article, but I wish Ryan Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” got as much ink as his “Black Panther”. I agree with Mr. Riley about superheroes always seemingly being in service to the establishment but I was also bothered that Wakanda was a monarchy and not (for a supposedly advanced society) at least a model social democracy.
I’m looking forward to seeing “Sorry to Bother You” and hoping the premier will be at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater.
As a side note, sorry to say that the Little Bistro deli has gone out of business.
2
Decolonize! The movement is happening in native indigenous communities! Or as an old saying goes “ back to the blanket”
6
Looking forward to seeing the movie. But, being a self-described communist and using capitalist tools to succeed is a bit hypocritical.
9
It's getting him noticed, and getting the word out.
10
While living under capitalism, any tool you use is essentially a capitalist tool. The point is to get the ideas out there.
Even Marx sold books.
Should he have done this?
Yes. It's the way we know his theories.
43
Thanks for the great piece on Boots Riley! I'm so looking forward to this interesting film. I'm especially excited to see Lakeith Stanfield, my favorite of that stellar Atlanta cast. (It is tough choosing.) So provocative that in Get Out, he had whiteness foisted on him, and here, he co-opts it for his own purpose. Should be provocative.
19
Great piece. Looking forward to the film. Sounds really creative and entertaining.
I will go despite my distaste for the music genre Boots Riley has been successful in. Glad for him - it's just a matter of taste. Can't listen to modern country or pop or 50's bebop or opera either. It's like do you like ketchup or mustard?
The premise of the film just sounds so wonderfully absurd and probably draws from what's real in a twisted way.
Truth through humor. I like it.
11
But! Because of this article, I've been listening to his music, and it's the first in that genre that I like! And I like opera, doo-wop, and old blues. Go figure!
11
Cool story. Thanks NYT
17
Great story, well told. Now I want to check out his work. Thank-you.
16
Blessings, Boots!
11
“Social movements need teeth.” Change doesn’t come from hope. A lot of progressives don’t want things to get messy, so they step aside and the Fascists slowly and steadily consolidate power. Fascism has no shame, so ridicule and humor won’t work. More people should heed Riley’s message and act on their beliefs.
42
Boots deserves every bit of this success and it is long overdue. If you want to educate yourself about radical anticapitalism while you are waiting for his movie to come out, check out The Coup's hella funky, immensely entertaining music videos and Boots' brilliant book of lyrics. The Guillotine video is a great place to start.
22
One of the most positive and inspiring stories for a while - Boots is not just all about 'number one' which is the sickness this society gives its members. I am glad too that he points out the obvious - 'Black Panther' is a comic-book hero, it is not about real socio-political change for people. ..and, Hurray Oakland!!
38
I love the fact that he stuck to his guns and proceeded to get the movie made. Kudos to Boots Riley and I can not wait to see this in theaters.
28
Go, Boots, Go! Can't wait for this film.
9
Looking forward to July when other parts of the country get to see this. Sure, it's only art, but--till that soil, get the people ready! And have a few rueful laughs along the way.
12
One of God's own prototypes. Wonderful to see the success of an old head who has maintained his values and artistry for 25 years in the face of a true decline in western civilization and culture.
I do wonder why this little fact is necessary to the thesis: "(He has three more children from earlier relationships.)"
51
Agreed, not necessary; who he is currently living with has nothing to do with how many children he has. I'm sure the writer just missed it.
I've never heard of him/ them, but due to the write up, I'm excited to hear the bands catalogue and watch the movie.
Good job!
8
I think to omit the remaining children might cause consternation for them.
25