I was flipping though my cable channels and I saw the title of this film: Mandingo in a Box. That's what grabbed me. I looked at the calendar and thought, "Oh boy, this should be interesting - given it's Black History Month". What I thought I'd be watching was a 2006 round table argument on the old 70's movie "Mandingo"...but instead I got something else, something more interesting.
This is a very short film (11 minutes)concerning a view on a problem affecting some black women - the available "perfect" black men. This film is comedic but addresses issues some black women have with finding some available black men and it's not all a romantic problem - this short film let's you know up front there are MANY reasons why a black man may not be available to the black woman -- from health problems to dating outside the race.
But a manufacturer (sold on a "Home Shopping Club type channel by MAD-TV's Deborah Wilson - one of the only folks you'd recognize, the rest is new talent.) found a way to combat the problem and that was to design a life-sized, physically fit, abs you can wash clothes on, doll called "Mandingo in a Box". This doll comes with all the (stereotypical) settings of what you'd like your "perfect" black man to be.
The doll is super rare and those available sell out quickly but one woman gets a hold of one, brings the doll home and runs into her roommate who is debating herself on a "re-re-re-hooking up" with her "hurtful" boyfriend.
The woman is tired of hearing her roommate's same old woes again, but the roommate has news for her - her ex- boyfriend sent her an invitation to his.... wedding. The woman is upset, so her roommate asks: "Is it a white woman?" She replies "No, it's an Asian." Her nods roommate adds: "Ah yes, the OTHER white meat." Gives the audience another perspective into what these women feel are blocking them from the "perfect" black man.
Soon, these two women fight over the doll and it's "settings" and by accident it gets stuck on a setting they were trying to avoid. In calling customer service to fix the problem, the reply is: "We cannot help you after you purchased and used the product". Another tongue in cheek perspective.
It is amazing to see that how in 11 minutes this film covers all the bases - CLEARLY of the perspective of what is "the perfect black man"? And if you get him...what then? Will he ALWAYS be perfect? Is it the black man's fault? The black woman's fault? Is it a FAULT? Is there such a thing a total perfection? The Director lays out all of the stereotypes, views and perspectives and makes you chuckle...and cringe.
Women who have had dealings and opinions about this subject will embrace this short, others may be perplexed, and black men will probably get upset over the stereotypical portrayals. But that is what makes this film short so interesting. And what will probably make this director this new millennium's generation the female "Spike Lee". Catch this short to see the beginning of what will probably be an illustrious career.
This is a very short film (11 minutes)concerning a view on a problem affecting some black women - the available "perfect" black men. This film is comedic but addresses issues some black women have with finding some available black men and it's not all a romantic problem - this short film let's you know up front there are MANY reasons why a black man may not be available to the black woman -- from health problems to dating outside the race.
But a manufacturer (sold on a "Home Shopping Club type channel by MAD-TV's Deborah Wilson - one of the only folks you'd recognize, the rest is new talent.) found a way to combat the problem and that was to design a life-sized, physically fit, abs you can wash clothes on, doll called "Mandingo in a Box". This doll comes with all the (stereotypical) settings of what you'd like your "perfect" black man to be.
The doll is super rare and those available sell out quickly but one woman gets a hold of one, brings the doll home and runs into her roommate who is debating herself on a "re-re-re-hooking up" with her "hurtful" boyfriend.
The woman is tired of hearing her roommate's same old woes again, but the roommate has news for her - her ex- boyfriend sent her an invitation to his.... wedding. The woman is upset, so her roommate asks: "Is it a white woman?" She replies "No, it's an Asian." Her nods roommate adds: "Ah yes, the OTHER white meat." Gives the audience another perspective into what these women feel are blocking them from the "perfect" black man.
Soon, these two women fight over the doll and it's "settings" and by accident it gets stuck on a setting they were trying to avoid. In calling customer service to fix the problem, the reply is: "We cannot help you after you purchased and used the product". Another tongue in cheek perspective.
It is amazing to see that how in 11 minutes this film covers all the bases - CLEARLY of the perspective of what is "the perfect black man"? And if you get him...what then? Will he ALWAYS be perfect? Is it the black man's fault? The black woman's fault? Is it a FAULT? Is there such a thing a total perfection? The Director lays out all of the stereotypes, views and perspectives and makes you chuckle...and cringe.
Women who have had dealings and opinions about this subject will embrace this short, others may be perplexed, and black men will probably get upset over the stereotypical portrayals. But that is what makes this film short so interesting. And what will probably make this director this new millennium's generation the female "Spike Lee". Catch this short to see the beginning of what will probably be an illustrious career.