Arlette Mateo 

1012 Hawk Drive 

111 Lenape Hal 

New Paltz, NY, 1561 

 

February 03, 2020 

 

Ava DuVernay

℅ Creative Arts Agency

405 Lexington Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10174

 

Dear Ms. DuVernay, 

My name is Arlette Mateo and I am currently a first-year student in SUNY New Paltz. In my English class, we watched your film, Selma. It was a wonderful film. The acting and the music are both so powerful. In addition, Selma informed me about the three marches and introduced me to the Civil Rights activists such as James Forman. 

  The acting in Selma was extraordinary, particularly David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo in their roles of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King.  According to a review on IMBd, some could not believe that Mr. Oyelowo or Carmen Ejogo are not American actors(Tibbs). Their accents were nicely done. The drama between Coretta and Dr. King kept things throughout the movie alive. It kept me watching to see what would happen. It also portrayed Dr. King was not an innocent person even though he was a civil rights activist. 

  Another thing that stood out to me the most was the choice of music you used throughout the film. It was so powerful. Even when walking on the bridge towards Selma build up suspense on what is going to happen next and it drew a lot of attention for one to continue watching the movie. When they reached the start end of the bridge and are in front of the soldiers the music stops. I think it gets very powerful there when the music stops because it brings up some sort of impatience. All I kept thinking about was what is going to happen next. As soon as the white soldiers attacked the negros the music kept going again in the music embodied the whole scene. It embodied the whole scene because the music goes louder every time someone is hurt or someone dies. The music is a very powerful aspect of the movie. 

   The message in Selma was very clear and clearly stated. You did a tremendous job. It was a great film and my English class and I enjoyed the movie. We were all hooked and watched it thoroughly in class. 

 

Sincerely, 

Arlette M.