Saturday, February 26, 2005
Pirates,just amusement
A letter in this week's newspaper
Editor: Before we get carried away with concerns over whether the Disney organisation will defame the Caribs,their descendants,and by further extension all current inhabitants of the Carribean by depicting them as cannibals, let us remember that we are talking about a fictitional entertainment,not a documentary.
This is not a work of serious scholarship, nor is it representing itself as such. There is no attempt being made to adhere to strict historical authenticity. It is a STORY, an amusement, meant to distract an entertain an audience by exhibiting a few moments of unreality. It is supposed to be a diversion from the real world, not a mirror of it. This is not the National Geographic Society presenting the results of exhaustive historical research,this is the Mickey Mouse company unveiling yet another fantasy.
Even the most unschooled viewer would probably get a hint from the fact that this is a DISNEY movie,and its predecessor featured sword fighting skeletons.For God's sake ,lighten up! People don't go to this kind of movie expecting accurately detailed,historically and truthful representations of real people recreating true incidents. They go to escape reality.
Most people not institutionalised, know the difference between fiction and fact. Every motion picture that is not a newsreel or a documentary has a disclaimer at the beginning or the end,indicating that the characters represented are fictional and do not represent, or are meant to resemble,any person, living or dead.
I am not, nor have I ever been,an employee of the Disney Corp or any of its far flung associated companies. I am a serious movie goer who knows the difference between fact and fiction, and truly believe most people know that Cinderella, Star Wars, and Pirates of The Caribbean(inspired by a pre existing Disney theme park ride!) are fictional entertainment works.
Don't we have more serious issues with which to concern ourselves? Not that there is anything WRONG with being a cannibal.
Editors' note:While we respect your views, we think it is worth noting that, with all the fiction produced in Hollywood, it's difficult to bring to mind any which portrays the white man as a cannibal. Coincidence? Hardly likely, self respecting people are always careful about how they portray their own. For the indigeneous people of this region who have suffered being villified for centuries, this is in fact no matter of mere amusement.
My Note:Not that there is anything WRONG with being a cannibal.Priceless!
Editor: Before we get carried away with concerns over whether the Disney organisation will defame the Caribs,their descendants,and by further extension all current inhabitants of the Carribean by depicting them as cannibals, let us remember that we are talking about a fictitional entertainment,not a documentary.
This is not a work of serious scholarship, nor is it representing itself as such. There is no attempt being made to adhere to strict historical authenticity. It is a STORY, an amusement, meant to distract an entertain an audience by exhibiting a few moments of unreality. It is supposed to be a diversion from the real world, not a mirror of it. This is not the National Geographic Society presenting the results of exhaustive historical research,this is the Mickey Mouse company unveiling yet another fantasy.
Even the most unschooled viewer would probably get a hint from the fact that this is a DISNEY movie,and its predecessor featured sword fighting skeletons.For God's sake ,lighten up! People don't go to this kind of movie expecting accurately detailed,historically and truthful representations of real people recreating true incidents. They go to escape reality.
Most people not institutionalised, know the difference between fiction and fact. Every motion picture that is not a newsreel or a documentary has a disclaimer at the beginning or the end,indicating that the characters represented are fictional and do not represent, or are meant to resemble,any person, living or dead.
I am not, nor have I ever been,an employee of the Disney Corp or any of its far flung associated companies. I am a serious movie goer who knows the difference between fact and fiction, and truly believe most people know that Cinderella, Star Wars, and Pirates of The Caribbean(inspired by a pre existing Disney theme park ride!) are fictional entertainment works.
Don't we have more serious issues with which to concern ourselves? Not that there is anything WRONG with being a cannibal.
Editors' note:While we respect your views, we think it is worth noting that, with all the fiction produced in Hollywood, it's difficult to bring to mind any which portrays the white man as a cannibal. Coincidence? Hardly likely, self respecting people are always careful about how they portray their own. For the indigeneous people of this region who have suffered being villified for centuries, this is in fact no matter of mere amusement.
My Note:Not that there is anything WRONG with being a cannibal.Priceless!
# posted by Abeni @ 2:55 PM 
Comments:
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I agree with the editor 100%. How many ppl who know squat about Caribs for whom this will be their introduction to this ethnic group?
And it is not just fantasy b/c it is in most Caribbean history books stated as fact. If the Caribs or rather the Kalinago people as they prefer to be called, do this they are indeed endorsing the falsehood already written as fact about them.
DISNEY is also millions of children's introduction to the real world. If you can avoid such untruts reaching children then better for them too.
And it is not just fantasy b/c it is in most Caribbean history books stated as fact. If the Caribs or rather the Kalinago people as they prefer to be called, do this they are indeed endorsing the falsehood already written as fact about them.
DISNEY is also millions of children's introduction to the real world. If you can avoid such untruts reaching children then better for them too.
I found the attempt to defend the movie to be shallow.We know it is fantasy but when dealing with an ethnic group at least try to get the information correct.The editors reply was right on point too.
what does he mean by star wars is fictional? Does this really mean I cant apply to Jedi school anymore? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
I kind of understand where the writer coming from but I agree with the editor. Its fiction but some folks will go watch it and not knowing any better take that image of caribs and entrench it in their minds. Its just like those silly mummy movies with their protrayal of Imhotep. silly silly silly
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I kind of understand where the writer coming from but I agree with the editor. Its fiction but some folks will go watch it and not knowing any better take that image of caribs and entrench it in their minds. Its just like those silly mummy movies with their protrayal of Imhotep. silly silly silly
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