In the
midst of the incredibly disheartening presidential campaign, I’ve really
appreciated movies and shows that push back against some of the rhetoric being
spouted behind podiums. Now, it’s true
that some of these projects would have been in production long before the Trump
hate train really got underway (animated stuff especially takes a long time to
make,) so it’s more just serendipity that they came out at the right time, but
either way, I seriously appreciate it!
Hamilton
The
obvious starting point. Proof that
political barbs and backstabbing has been part of America since its beginning,
but it’s also a stunning reminder of the ideals that shaped “this notion of a
nation” we were able to build. Not to
mention, “Immigrants: we get the job
done!” I have virtually no doubt that
Obama will be singing “One Last Time” to himself on January 20th.
Zootopia
A
shockingly-thoughtful exploration of how ignorance and stereotypes divide us,
how the unscrupulous stoke people’s fears for their own gain, and how there’s
such better living to be found in unity.
The anti-predator agitators shouting, “Go back to the forest!” feel
especially familiar. I’m still a little
bowled over that this film exists, but I love it to no end.
The
Jungle Book
The
other fantastically-savvy children’s movie Disney made addressing these issues
this year. Our villain is the one
insisting that Mowgli is dangerous simply because of “what he is,” claiming he
can never make the jungle his true home because he doesn’t belong there. The film’s response to this xenophobia is a
resounding, “Can, too!”, and I love the fact that Mowgli doesn’t have to
assimilate and “act like a wolf” in order to be a part of the jungle.
The
Magnificent Seven
I’m
putting up my review of this film later in the week, but although I thought it
was so-so overall and the diverse cast could have been better used, it still
has a place on this list. To anyone
hankering for the America’s “good old days,” this film serves as a handy
reminder that immigrants (including immigrants of color) have been part of
America since it began. Plus, it takes
all seven of our heroes working together to win the day, not just the white ones.
Supergirl
No comments:
Post a Comment