By Tiffany Skelnik

The Ava DuVernay-directed film Selma focuses on Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership in the fight for equal voting rights for African Americans in 1965, which culminated in the memorable fifty mile march from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery, Ala.

This film does an outstanding job showcasing the incredible strength of the people that helped change American history. This is especially evident in the scenes that depict King, played by David Oyelowo, and President Lyndon B. Johnson, played by Tom Wilkinson.

The film, which is nominated for best picture and best original song for Glory, is a great depiction of the struggle that African Americans faced in this time in history. It doesn’t pull any punches in giving a close look at both the life of King and the conflict that emerged from the fight for voting rights.

The march that the film depicts and the signing of the Voting Rights Act that followed changed political life for African Americans and was a turning point for the US in changing society’s view on race.

Selmapushes the boundaries in its portrayal, showing a side of things that is often difficult to watch. It allows the viewer to see the human side of King and those involved in the struggle that was such an important part of American history.