Films/DVD Asylum

Avatar - a barely disguised allegory of the U.S. military / corporate exploitation, genocide, and racism (nt)

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Bambi B

In Reply to: RE: Avatar - a thinly disguised fable about the Chinese government? posted by tunenut on January 20, 2010 at 12:54:16

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Follow Ups:

Or it could be handy way to tell a story ;-) - 4season 18:03:15 01/24/10 (0)
Had "Avatar" been really futuristic and alien, no one would've known what the *heck* was going on, much less cared! So instead, we've got a future that isn't too far removed from our own, and Pandora and it's inhabitants seem strangely familiar, only more compelling than what we know, and it makes for a pretty entertaining 2-1/2 hours!

True, Cameron takes a poke at unquestioning capitalism, as he has in his other movies, but that's hardly a controversial point for me. Heck, "Wall-E" took a bigger poke, only it did so with a smile and a wink, so no one minded.
Or is it about Israel? nt - tinear 11:16:32 01/21/10 (5)
d
- I believe it's about the U.S. specifically. What was your impression when you saw it? - Bambi B 12:56:05 01/21/10 (4)
  tinear,
  
  The Na'vi to me seem so closely modeled on Native Americans- with perhaps some Eastern influence, and of course, the military personnel all speak as 20th Century Americans- accents and idioms, there's no question in my mind it's purely an American Allegory.
  
  Of course, the "Unobtainium" possibly could be a stand in for Iraqi and Iranian oil.
  
  When you saw "Avatar" did you sense it was symbolic of Israeli treatment of the Palestinians?
  
  Cheers,
  
  Bambi B
  - "...and of course, the military personnel all speak as 20th Century Americans- accents and idioms" - Steve O 14:46:06 01/21/10 (3)
    You're not the first to observe this...ignoring, of course, Sam Worthington's Aussie "accent". OTOH, if Cameron had chosen to have the characters speak as 22nd century Americans (one worlders?), we'd probably need captions throughout the entire film. Learning Na'Vi was enough of a challenge. (I understand Rosetta Stone has a course on conversational Na'Vi being readied for the market)
    
    You also opine: "there's no question in my mind it's purely an American Allegory." and I'll pretty much agree. If you look carefully in the background of Mr. Selfridge's cubicle you'll find a little framed plaque of a US flag, probably an artifact from the late 20th century. No doubt intended as either a reminder of a former nationalistic world power long since subordinated to a world government OR as a reminder as to the origins of the current world government.
    
    Overall, I'm amazed that this film is still the basis for so much ongoing discussion considering the criticism it has received from very pure spirits. It has obviously hit something deep.
    - "It has obviously hit something deep"--on the contrary - Jazz Inmate 21:52:19 01/21/10 (2)
      Using one's freedoms to criticize a free society is as easy as taking candy from a child...and Cameron is rewarded for it with millions of dollars. Now if he was an Iranian or Chinese director making films criticizing the draconian practices of those governments--that would be admirable. Cameron is one of those privileged few who is given the freedom and means to dig within himself and share his vision and what does he choose to share? Demonizing the corporate and military types that ultimately have ensured his freedom and means. I see no value in that. Just a voice that is half guilt complex, half nothing to say.
      -------------
      
      We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Gandhi
      
      Edits: 01/21/10
      - RE: "It has obviously hit something deep"--on the contrary--Not!! - Steve O 05:14:48 01/22/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "It has obviously hit something deep"--on the contrary posted by Jazz Inmate on January 21, 2010 at 21:52:19
        
        The very fact you've responded to my observation in the manner you did makes my point. I wasn't saying that everyone was positive about the film, only that it's been controversial and in the spotlight for much longer than most films. I'm amazed that the thing is still a current topic of discussion more than a month after its release and many months after the promotional hype began. That it's been the top box office film (in terms of revenue) for 4 weeks in a row is also indicative of continuing interest for whatever reason.
      - RE: While taking care of criticizing institutions, in this case the Military, which is no wrong. - patrickU 03:36:44 01/22/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "It has obviously hit something deep"--on the contrary posted by Jazz Inmate on January 21, 2010 at 21:52:19
        
        In absolute term as you can do with everyone, save that military can kill others "only " can crook you, and maybe a little more when you think of the Pharm. industry...
        The point is that our armies are democratic and not the other way around.
        Cameron make it a devil as the MAIN instead as making evil only for a few.
        
        And that is just a cheap shot.

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