It isn’t often that a major studio launches an overt social and political campaign. It’s even more rare to see a major star take a stand against one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world, the NFL. It seems that is exactly what Sony/Columbia and Will Smith aim to do with their upcoming film, Concussion. It is even more daring than other past attempts, such as The Insider or Kill the Messenger because the opposition, the tobacco industry or government corruption, was something that was easily labeled as menacing. Going up against the NFL, which is America’s number one sporting empire, will be a more complicated and incendiary effort.
It looks like Smith is gunning for another Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Dr. Bennet Omalu. The doctor who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in the brains of NFL players, caused by the repeated head trauma attributable to the violence in the game. The movie chronicles Dr. Omalu’s true story about his attempt to expose the institutional cover-up, which led to the demise of countless players. Sony is releasing the film in the midst of not only award season, but football season, which should lead to tensions during the marketing campaign and in the public discourse. Will this movie be a turning point in for the NFL? The fact that it looks like it has the potential to reignite the conversation is a reason to give it a watch. Enjoy the trailer.
Official Synopsis:
The film is based on the David vs. Goliath journey of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of football-related brain trauma in a pro player and fought to bring awareness to the public. In his search for the truth behind the devastating malady, Omalu’s quest humanizes the price paid by professional athletes in impact sports but also by people who challenge the status quo as it exposes the political, cultural and corporate interests that fuel the business of sports.
Concussion opens in theaters on December 25th, 2015.
What do you think of the trailer and Smith’s performance? Let us know on the comment boards, , , and !
Source: Sony