Louis Gaines: The hero of Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Louis Gaines is portrayed in The Butler by David Oyelowo

Director Lee Daniels pays tribute to African Americans in his latest film The Butler.

The film presents the evolution and struggle of the black woman and man as seen through the eyes of a butler, Cecil Gaines (played by Forrest Whitaker).

Not only is this film about a butler’s brutal journey to make a life by overcoming intense hardship, but also his internal struggle to join the fight for civil rights alongside his son Louis Gaines (played by David Oyelowo) who is the hero of this film.

Louis Gaines is portrayed in The Butler by David Oyelowo

While Cecil Gaines is a butler who is serving eight presidents, he is unable to protect his son Louis who is a freedom fighter.

Louis Gaines is being beaten up in Alabama and Tennessee where he has been incarcerated at least 16 times. An understated motion picture makes this true story work. Violence is brief and in flashes.

However, director Lee Daniels juxtaposed the violence with scenes of family life.

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Sonia Pantiss

Sonia is the heart and the artist of the team. She loves art and all that it implies. As Sonia says, good music, a well directed movie, or attending a music or film festival melts people’s heart and make them better. She is great at painting and photography. Working on scrapbooks is her favorite activity.