So I have been thinking and wondering as film makers and writers, what your personal "ethical" take on movies being produced that vilifies and objectifies cultures, religions, nationalities, ect. It is obviously done, like big duh on that, but how far and long do we push that line of thought. I am not sure what I am asking exactly. I was looking at the new TV show coming out about Witches. Looks like another horrorish type show that will promote witches as evil spell casting Blah, Blah, Blah. With this said the Wiccan Religion is what Witches are about. Nowhere near the reality, still is it is ok to keep putting out this negative myth. Would it be ok to take a "popular" Spiritual Culture and twist it into a perversion. I think I would like to see the discussion go to, would anyone take that on a film or series as if it were not witches but instead were Christians, and vilify them. What would make you want to do it or not want to do it . If you didn't want to because of personal belief systems would you feel ok doing it to someone else's belief system. Does money have a factor or what other people would think of you personally if one attempted this. Like I said before it was a thought that was noodling in my brain and as quirky as it is I thought I would ask.
Anything Goes : Quirky Curiosity on Ethical choices in film. by Annie Zimbel
Quirky Curiosity on Ethical choices in film.
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Interesting Post, Annie. In reality, every, culture, religion, nation, etc. has contributed some good, benevolent and creative knowledge and wisdom to the world at large. However, they all have also contributed to hate, atrocities, destructive beliefs and actions, oppression and the continuing brainwashing of the human species in general. This malignant side of human nature has been verified by both the long view of human history and the obvious problems that are current today. When a Film takes a microscope to these bad things and exposes them, that is not "vilification" or "objectifying". It is, however, using Critical Thinking and knowledge in identifying consequences of the beliefs and/or actions potential harm by pointing out "cause and effect" This is not an ethical or moral issue. It is a refusal to accept the moral relativism of "Political Correctness" and an example of the Film Makers courage.
Stephen, I think I am having a disconnect in what you are saying in regards to what I am asking. Please elaborate where you are going ...cause some times I am slow ;) . i do not see the microscope being used in the example of Witches, making them old deformed , ugly, and casting spells willy nilly to get what they want. I understand human nature wants to make things ugly to justify resentments, and they also want to be able to " insta" manifest things so focus on a "subculture" if you will to enact it. What would happen if said film folk chose to go closer to home and do maybe a culture they are personally vested in. What I am thinking is take the Catholic Religion. What would it be if movies were continually made and varied that the Catholics were baby killers because if the babies were not Catholic then they were pagan and need to be destroyed. Then you would have all sorts of scenes with inquisition like scenes bombarding the screens (from countless movies)and then throw in ALL the Priests were Child molesters and this too kept bombarding the screens from one movie to the next, then if it was then broadened that it was not limited to Catholics but all Christians. How would that look. ( First I do want to say my intention is NOT to Christian or Catholic bash in any form. Just using as an example being the popular cultural religions here and now. ) The out come could be anger and uprise against these films by the populous and/or major uprisings and decent brought upon people of those spiritual paths. Should that stop them from making those film. I think, if I am not misunderstanding your statement,.."using Critical Thinking and knowledge in identifying consequences of the beliefs and/or actions potential harm by pointing out "cause and effect" This is not an ethical or moral issue. It is a refusal to accept the moral relativism of "Political Correctness" and an example of the Film Makers courage." ,Here I believe, I disagree with it. I am not sure if it is courage. I think it is easy to take an unfamiliar culture and feed all the stereotypes to vilify them. Taking a Familiar Culture and do the same thing might be more courageous. With all this said I do realize that people generally go to see something with a good story or one that will trounce an opponent, and having that type of story reflect the popular culture, would not fair well at the box office. Going back to my original post as I am still noodling my thoughts I am curious on personal processing of why or why not one would pursue this type of decision making . I hope I did not miss the mark on what you were trying to say. Still wrapping my head on what I am trying to say. Thanks for responding. Have a great day.
Hi Annie, yes there is a disconnect. What I am saying is that there would be some moral or ethical objections by many people if someone goes out to deliberately "vilify" or "objectify" everything in a particular belief system, etc. But as soon as ANY belief system, attached to any culture, nation, etc., becomes oppressive, violent and threatening because people start pointing out obvious flaws in the belief that are destructive and engage their 'True Believers" (fanatics) in physical and psychological Terrorism, then they become a DANGER to everyone else that does not share their belief or malignant interpretation of the belief. This applies to EVERYTHING! Film Makers need to be able to apply the microscope to anything and everything. Should they try to be fair-minded? Yes, but not at the expense of accuracy because it might upset someone's feelings or belief. And considering that the use of Terrorism to frighten Film Makers into silence, has been in play for awhile now, this is where the Film Makers courage comes in. This applies to all religions, cultures, political and economic systems, education of children and adults, nations and societies, etc. I hope this clarifies some of my responses to your original discussion. SJJ
It does thank you.
Thank you Annie and thanks for connecting with me in our mutual networks. SJJ