Hogtown

Hogtown, a highly ambitious avant-garde take on the film noir genre, was released in 2014 and offers an uncompromising vision of early 20th Century Chicago. The centerpiece around which this highly experimental film revolves is a story steeped in mystery and racial tension. The film, written and directed by Daniel Nearing, features robust performances by Herman Wilkins, Diandra Lyle, and McKenzie Chinn, adeptly embodying the complexities of their characters.

In "Hogtown", the setting of Chicago's predominantly African-American Bronzeville neighborhood, is brought to life in the thick of the harsh winter of 1919. The narrative seems ostensibly centered on the investigation of the suspicious disappearance of a millionaire theater owner, overshadowed by the looming threat of the imminent race riots that, historically, marked the Red Summer of 1919. Yet, the film is not a conventional crime story with pointed solutions or neatly tied-up ends. It meditates more on the lives of its diverse characters, giving us an intimate look into the personalities that populated this tumultuous era.

Herman Wilkins, stars as DeAndre Son Carter, a black detective who turned his back on a promising academic career in literature to become a policeman. He is torn between two worlds: the intellectual life he left behind and the gritty, racially-charged realities of police work. His investigation takes him across different social strata of Chicago, encountering a variety of individuals, each adding a thread to the multi-colored tapestry of the narrative

Wilkins delivers a profound performance, underscoring the conflicts of his character with a nuanced and balanced approach. The supporting cast is similarly adept, with notable performances from Diandra Lyle and McKenzie Chinn who bring their characters to life and illuminate the cultural dynamics of the era.

Moonshine, Diandra Lyle's character, is an ethereal presence, a chorus girl at the theater who serves as a metaphor for all African-Americans aspiring for liberty. Her destiny is intertwined with the mysterious disappearance and she embodies the hopes and dreams of a people yearning for liberation. Lyle's performance is deeply moving while conserving the mysterious aura that encircles her character.

McKenzie Chinn stars as Edna, the determined sister of the protagonist, who is striving upward mobility in a society that would prefer that women, especially black women, remain unseen. Chinn's portrayal of Edna encapsulates both the ambitions and the frustrations of females at the time, providing a glimpse into the women's struggle for independence in a patriarchal society.

Hogtown moves primarily at a leisurely pace, using its time to scrutinize the social and racial dynamics that specific era of Chicago. The film is equally striking for its unique visual language. Shot in stark black and white, it possesses a dreamlike quality, with its moody, minimalist landscapes and stark, empty streets evoking feelings of isolation and surrealism, reinforcing the sense of pensive introspection woven throughout the narrative.

What truly sets Hogtown apart, however, is its creative manipulation of genre and narrative conventions. It explores themes of race, society, and identity while blurring genre boundaries and creating a unique narrative structure. The story does not unfold in a linear manner but instead is more like a series of interconnected vignettes serving as windows into the world of 1919 Chicago.

Heavy with symbolism, this movie asks its audience to dig deeper, to interpret, and ultimately to question not just the plot, but societal norms, racial tensions, and portrayal of history. Hogtown challenges viewers to absorb and confront its powerful symbolism and provoking narrative while basking in the richness of its cinematic style.

In conclusion, the film Hogtown is less a conventional mystery genre movie and more of a visual poem celebrating the spirit of a bygone era. It is a highly sophisticated, thought-provoking, and explorative art piece – a vivid commentary on American history, painting a wholly immersive portrait of a rapidly changing society on the brink of a major societal upheaval. This may not be an easy movie for those inclined towards mainstream, plot-driven cinema, but for those seeking audacious, unconventional filmmaking, Hogtown fittingly rewards its audience with a deeply profound and unforgettable viewing experience.