am i racist movie

 

am i racist movie

"Am I Racist?" is a 2024 American satirical documentary directed by Justin Folk and starring conservative political commentator Matt Walsh. The film critiques the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement by employing a mockumentary style reminiscent of "Borat." With a production budget of $3 million, it was released in U.S. theaters on September 13, 2024, and grossed approximately $12.3 million, making it the highest-grossing documentary of the year.

Plot Summary

The narrative follows Matt Walsh as he embarks on a journey to explore contemporary issues of racism and anti-racism initiatives. After being expelled from a support group focused on "white guilt," Walsh adopts the persona of a DEI expert. He obtains DEI certification and conducts various social experiments, including convincing passersby to sign a petition to rename the Washington Monument as the "George Floyd Monument," elevate its height by 30%, and repaint it black. Walsh also visits a biker bar aiming to expose racial prejudices among white patrons and interviews Black Americans who suggest that love and mutual respect are solutions to racism. The film culminates with Walsh hosting a "Do the Work Workshop," where he condemns his uncle Frank for a racist joke made two decades prior and advocates self-flagellation as a remedy for white guilt. Ultimately, Walsh denounces the workshop as a scam and reconciles with his uncle.

Production

"Am I Racist?" marks Matt Walsh's second film project. Jeremy Boreing, co-CEO of The Daily Wire, stated that the film was produced to address what he describes as the toxicity of DEI culture in American society. Robin DiAngelo, author of "White Fragility," appears in the film and later expressed that the filmmakers misrepresented their intentions, particularly in a scene involving discussions on reparations. Additionally, during a DEI workshop where Walsh participated without a disguise, attendees eventually recognized him, leading to an abrupt end to the session.

Release and Reception

The film was released in over 1,500 theaters across the United States and Canada on September 13, 2024, marking The Daily Wire's first theatrical release. It debuted at number three at the box office, earning $4.54 million in its opening weekend. Audiences responded positively, with CinemaScore reporting an average grade of "A" and PostTrak surveys indicating a five out of five-star rating. However, mainstream film critics largely abstained from reviewing the film. Matt Walsh noted that early screeners were offered to major outlets, but none accepted, and some independent critics declined to review it.

The film received varied critiques from the media. Tatiana Siegel of Variety commented that the film is "either hilarious or offensive, depending on which side of the MAGA fence you sit on." Vinson Cunningham of The New Yorker observed that while Walsh appeared adept in DEI jargon, the film missed deeper complexities of racial discourse, labeling Walsh "as much of a grifter" as the consultants he critiques. Jason L. Riley, writing for The Wall Street Journal's Opinion section, stated that "you'll laugh a lot" and that Walsh's approach "exposes the DEI industry by letting practitioners discredit themselves." Conversely, Joel Stein of The Hollywood Reporter opined that the film "feels like a comedy made by an alien who's seen comedies," suggesting that Walsh "lacks some of the skills of a comedian, such as being funny."

Streaming Availability

As of October 28, 2024, "Am I Racist?" became available for streaming exclusively on DailyWire+, The Daily Wire's streaming platform.

The film is not currently available on mainstream streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+.

Conclusion

"Am I Racist?" serves as a provocative satire targeting the DEI movement, utilizing undercover tactics and social experiments to challenge prevailing narratives on racism and anti-racism efforts. Its commercial success underscores a segment of the audience's appetite for content that critiques progressive ideologies, while the polarized critical reception reflects the contentious nature of its subject matter.