Uptight

The action of Uptight (1968) takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, during the civil protests that took place after the death of Martin Luther King. A group of black revolutionaries leads the protesters and is preparing an arsenal of weapons for the race war that was about to happen. In the midst of all the chaos they are betrayed by one of their own group members.

Uptight is, in a way, the story of Judas (Tank) and the exploration of his sense of guilt. If guilt is the betrayal of one's own desires, which one betrayed? The desire for a revolution and social transformation? Or the desire to be loved and accepted by one's brothers and sisters?

Initially thought to be a modern adaptation of the classic directed by John Ford, The Informer (1935), Dassin decided to change the narrative from the city of Dublin to the North American city. A true classic of Arthouse and activism cinema, Uptight resulted from a remarkable collaboration between Jules Dassin and activist and actress Ruby Dee.