In many ways, Get Out made history long before the Oscars. From the original plot of a complex social thriller mixed with satire and horror, to the seemingly impossible realization that this was Jordan Peele’s first-ever film; and lastly, Peele’s barrier-breaking moment of becoming the first black filmmaker to debut with a $100 million movie, it’s all highly impressive. With all things considered, this resulted in Get Out and Jordan Peele among the hottest in conversation, with both praise and controversy, of 2017. Jordan Peele’s historic moment at the Oscars may just be icing on the cake, but it’s damn good.
With Get Out, Peele became the first African-American to win Best Original Screenplay at last night’s Academy Awards ceremony. During Peele’s honest acceptance speech, the Oscar-winner revealed how many times that he almost gave up before Get Out’s screenplay was fully written. “I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible. I thought it wasn’t going to work. I thought no one would ever make this movie,” he explained. “But I kept coming back to it because I knew if someone let me make this movie, that people would hear it, people would see it.” He went on to thank those who saw and believed in his vision, along with everybody who watched the film.
Backstage, Peele took a more personal approach, discussing how he almost never became a director since there was such a “shortage of role models.” For Jordan Peele, he previously saw black filmmakers such as Spike Lee and John Singleton as an exception to the unwritten rule. Today, the chapter where black filmmakers are seen merely as an exception is rapidly closing.
“An award like this is much bigger than me. This is about paying it forward to the young people who might not believe that they could achieve the highest honor in whatever craft they want to push for.”
Peele exclaimed, “I’m so proud to be a part of a time, the beginning of a movement, where I feel like the best films in every genre are being brought to me by my fellow black directors.” Humbly, he mentioned other black filmmakers who are also contributing to this important shift. “It’s very special, and I think that goes for all areas of inclusion. But it’s quite clear with the work that Ava’s doing, that Ryan’s doing, F. Gary Gray, Barry, that this is a very special time.” Indeed it is, and we’re proud to be constantly witnessing historic black excellence. Let’s keep this momentum going.
“An award like this is much bigger than me,” Peele said. “This is about paying it forward to the young people who might not believe that they could achieve the highest honor in whatever craft they want to push for. You’re not a failure if you don’t get this, but I almost didn’t do it, because I didn’t believe that there was a place for me.”
Jordan Peele almost didn’t finish Get Out, and gave up nearly 20 times throughout the process. Because of doubt, Peele almost didn’t make history last night, resulting in this editorial almost not being written. But he did it, kicked ass along the way, and broke down walls in order to pave the way for others. Let this serve as a message, for all of us who are plagued with hesitation about a passion project, to get it done. So tell us, what’s your next Get Out?
