Streaming: Netflix (With Subscription)
Warnings:
Racism
Graphic Violence
Explicit Language
Rating: NC-17
See You Yesterday is a 2019 film based on two Brooklyn teenage prodigies, C.J. Walker (played by Eden Duncan-Smith) and Sebastian Thomas (played by Dante Crichlow). Together they build a time machine to save C.J.’s brother, Calvin (played by Astro) from being wrongfully murdered by a police officer. As they try to alter the past, they face perilous consequences of time traveling. See You Yesterday is a fresh take on time travel while reflecting upon current community justice initiatives. Directed by Stefon Bristol and written by Stefon Bristol and Fredrica Bailey, the film takes the audience on a wild race against time. The film was nominated for two awards at the 35th Independent Spirit Awards with Bristol and Bailey winning Best First Screenplay. An additional important fact to note is that this film marks the final acting appearance of Michael J. Fox before his retirement in 2020. The storyline of See You Yesterday is captivating and genuine, however I would be remiss not to point out the brilliant camera work executed by Felipe Vara de Rey. In addition to the story and camera work, the social justice factors of the film carried the story in a heart-wrenching way. Lastly, the kids in this film acted beyond their years and are destined for successful careers in the future.
First and foremost, the storyline interspersed with current social justice initiatives forces the audience to take an introspective look on what is happening in the United States with Black Lives Matter protests. Not only is this sci-fi unique, but it also has an important message that isn’t always understood by outsiders of the Black community. This film breaks that disconnect and shows the hardship of what a community goes through when a member is murdered by the police. The film highlights the trauma that the family goes through, and it also highlights the repercussions of that trauma or loss. This part of the story drives the film and creates a narrative that is heartbreaking yet relatable for Black individuals in the United States.
The second important thing to note is the cinematography, executed by Felipe Vara de Rey, known for Painkillers and Cooking Up a Tribute, the cinematography adds to the traumatic storyline. When C.J. is experiencing a tense moment, the camera spins or moves from side to side in a jarring manner. At one point the camera continuously spins until it transitions into a new scene. This creates distress or an uneasiness for the viewer, which makes them feel similar feelings to the character. A few times when the kids travel through time, a robotic camera is used to emphasize the disorientation of the characters. Choices like this makes the film great and emphasizes why it is important to have people of color working on films like this. Felipe Vara de Rey is a Latino from Brooklyn who also has a degree in political science and his background is in social research. His camera choices reflect his understanding of Brooklyn, the cinematography truly brought Flatbush to life.
Finally, the acting is wonderful, Eden Duncan-Smith and Dante Crichlow stole the show with their performances highlighting the importance of friendship. Even their friend Eduardo (played by Jonathan Nieves) is an interesting addition to their friend group being the quirky Puerto Rican friend who is a wiz with computers. This film is truly an ode to nerds of color and reassures that it’s okay to genuinely be who you are. Calvin Walker (played by Astro) has an important role being that the entire course of events began with his wrongful death, he plays Calvin with power, emphasizing how big of a heart Calvin has. And finally, one of the most important relationships that is highlighted in the film is between C.J. and her mother Phaedra (played by Marsha Stephanie Blake). Their relationship stresses the importance of a mother-daughter connection and how much it matters when the mother is a single parent. They truly care about each other and they highlight their connection through physical acts of kindness and respectful dialogue. The cast was well chosen, and I am eager to see what these kids do in the future with their careers.
See You Yesterday is a film never to be forgotten, it created space for more BIPOC (Black Indigenous, People of Color) individuals to genuinely be themselves, and that it’s cool to be smart or aspirational in school. Roles like this are so important for younger individuals to see represented in mainstream media, especially when the world is telling them different. See You Yesterday is one of the most unique sci-fi films out there, with a storyline that is thought-provoking, acting that is outstanding and cinematography that ties it all together. If you haven’t already seen this film, I highly recommend it, just be sure to grab the tissues.