Hollywood and the right wing

[123everton]

I've become mildly concerned at the ideas, influences, expresions and conclusions of some of the films eminating from Hollywood lately, much to the amusement of some of my friends, lol.
I saw "The Book Of Ely" the other week, which to me was a bit like "Mad Max" with a Bible, I was a little perturbed by the conclusion that after the world had been tipped into the abyss only the Bible could save it, and that after it's deliverance by a man guided by God.
Weeks before I'd watched "Unthinkable", in this the film ascribes the value of torture, that Muslims cannot be trusted and that in order to defeat the threat posed by Muslims extreme measures need to be imposed up to and including the torture of their children and the killing of their wives etc.
In another film "I Am Legend" the conclusion of the film suggested (at least to me) that the future would be overtly white and very Christian.
A film was recently released about The Second Abkharzian war, which made Russia the aggressor (it wasn't, Georgia was), in the early 60s Hollywood released a film about a Chinese submarine out to start WW3, this after MaCarthur got sacked for wanting to invade China.
There was another film were an American embassy (in Yemen?) was being demonstrated against, the building was all ramshackle and run down (in reality it looked more like a prison compound) a child had been shot and the soldier who ordered the shooting was on trial, numerous admonitions were offered as to the child's innocence right up to the end were you see that the child was holding a gun.
Would I be right in suggesting that America seeks to justify it's domestic and foreign policy initiatives through film?

[sandyRoe]

Yes, you are.

[naomi24]

I've seen two of the films you mention, and in my estimation you'd be right if you had suggested you have a rather over-active imagination.

[T&S]

I thought they were just cr*p films.

[123everton]

T&S, yes, me too.
Sandy, thankyou.
Naomi, which two, and why?
P.S.
I'm sorry if I've told someone the ending of these films.

[jomifl]

where do you find these films, I don't think they do much harm as you are probably the only person that watches them apart from naomi who doesn't seem to be easily influenced by fatuous reasoning.

[jno]

Hollywood history used to be very good - there's a book by George Macdonald Fraser in which he concludes that the old epics of the 1930s to 1950s were often quite meticulous in their detail and made genuine contributiions to historical research. But their films about current events often tended more toward caricature. One of the most famous was Desperate Journey, in which Errol Flynn outwitted the Nazis and ended shouting 'Now for Australia and a crack at the Japs!' British audiences at the time were extremely unamused. George Formby made the same sort of film, but his comedy was intentional.

It wasn't all bad. Before WW2, America was officially neutral but many Hollywood studios (some run by Jews) were happy to produce films about what was happening in Europe and warning Americans of the danger. (Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent is a good one.)

What we've got now is an America on the defensive and looking for someone to blame. It used to be Smersh and other Russians (in Red Dawn they invaded Colorado for some reason and Patrick Swayze had to defeat them). Since then it's been Arabs, Chinese, whoever. Their leaders are often played by British actors; presumably local actors are afraid of being contaminated by the roles.

[naomi24]

Jomifl's right in thinking I'm not that easily influenced - in fact I can't remember the ending of one of the films, but if I recall in the other the sole survivor was black, which wouldn't appear to suggest an 'overtly white' future.

[piggynose]

i think everyone´s missing the point as i see it. Americans are easily influenced, so these films mentioned have probably done a lot of harm than good. please someone tell me i´m wrong

[naomi24]

I don't see how anyone can tell you you're wrong unless you tell us why you think we've missed the point and what harm you think they've done.

[jackthehat]

I believe Will Smith would be more than a little bemused at being described as 'overtly white'..........!?!

Americans (attention ! Possible sweeping generalisation alert !!!) do not like to be portrayed as the bad guys and will stay away, and urge others to stay away, from films showing them in a bad light: *Avatar* is a recent example.

American film is entirely to do with the American self-image and the dollars *that* will put in the pockets of the studios............

[Davethedog]

A film company wants to make money, which is the be all and end all, to this end they make populist, or perceived populist, films. From the 50’s to the 80’s the slate of anti-communist, reds under the beds, type films were churned out in their 10’s if not 100’s. The US film maker now needs another “enemy” to raise paranoia and put bums on seats.

I don’t understand the point about I am legend, this is a remake of The Omega Man, which stared Charlton Heston. It was a vehicle for Will Smith who is currently the King of Hollywood and is not white as he is the last man on earth I don’t think you make your point.

[jno]

hang on, Will Smith isn't the last man on earth, at least in the cinema version (I haven't seen the DVD and I believe there were alternative endings). He dies, the other less black people survive thanks to his sacrifice.

[Davethedog]

Soz never saw Will Smiths only Charlton Hestons thought it was the same. :-(

[woofgang]

I think maybe that's a side benefit but I think that cash is king and Hollywood make films that they think people will pay to see...also IMO maybe you are a little selective in your watching, with the exception of "I am legend" starring and backed by Will Smith who sure ain't white, I haven't heard of any of the films you list. Just like quoting from books, there are so many movies out there that its not hard to find handfuls of them to support any thesis.

[naomi24]

He does? See, told you these films make a lasting impression on me. ;o)

[sherminator]

I would disagree, as the movies are made independant of any government policy.
Film makers may agree or may even be making a film to be pro american but I think that 'hollywood' can remain very independant of foreign policy. Also i am legend is based of a book in the 70's and i think book of ely is also based ona a book(not sure on that one though) so maybe writers have more of a problem than hollywood?

also to further counter your claim. Avatar is the single biggest film of all time and carries a very left wing message!

A further point is that I dont like this right and left wing seperation of films! I really think that its far too simplistic an approach to take. yes films can have a left or right stance but its not the only, and ususally not the main message of any film!

Take Avatar and 300. I love both moves but they are diametrically opposed to each other in terms of politcal styles. But I think there political message is way down on the list of 'messages' that the films were trying to deliver.

[jno]

Avatar has been described as a 'white messiah' film - white Americans teach befuddled aliens how to survive. Like a lot of films, its message is kind of mixed.

[sherminator]

thats kinda my point jno!
A film can have lots of messages and some of them can be unintentional! Some of them can just be a personal interpretation based on your own set of values.
I thought the main message was to try and live a litlle bit more harmoniously with nature! and to respect other races. If you got that as a main message then fair enough but i dont think that was the directors aim.

[jno]

I'm agreeing, sherminator. For me there were two main themes: be nice to nature, and aliens need American help. I'm not sure the second one was intended; but it does reflect the invade-Iraq mindset.

[123everton]

I'm not being selective, they're just films I've watched recently.
True the films aren't sponsored by the U.S government, but I think you'll find the funding comes from various groups with a political agenda.
Traditionally American movies demonise Russians, now it's Muslims, there's always been a constant in most every American film in that the one masters the gun who surpasses at the art of violence is the right one.
I accept fully that films utilise a fantasised reality, but that reality can be easily twisted to suit an agenda, the 1943 film "The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen" springs to mind.