3 ms·
He actually addresses that in the interview. He says he was not influenced by OWS in any way when making the film. But Blomkamp insists Elysium isn’t some sor
by cobrausn 13y ago
He actually addresses that in the interview. He says he was not influenced by OWS in any way when making the film.
But Blomkamp insists Elysium isn’t some sort of filmic Paul Krugman op-ed piece. It’s important for him that his movies grapple with things that matter, in this case economic disparity, immigration, health care, corporate greed. But he disdains prescription-happy “message” movies—that’s what documentaries are for, he says—and intends Elysium to be first and foremost a mass-appeal, summer popcorn flick. Allegory, satire, and dark humor interest him; providing pat answers to society’s woes does not. “Anybody who thinks they can change the world by making films,” he says, “is sorely mistaken.
- crusso 13y agoHe says he was not influenced by OWS in any way when making the film. Yeah, and I say I'm the King of England. There's a reason why he was asked the question. It's because at very least the trailer makes it look like he's doing some pretty heavy axe grinding.
- cobrausn 13y agoSeriously, go read the article. You might find him more likable and his reasons for the story a bit different from what you are envisioning.
- crusso 13y agoI did read the article. I also watched the movie trailer. As with politics, I tend to take actions more into consideration than words. The right words are too easy to fabricate. The right actions, not so much.
- potatolicious 13y agoKeep in mind Blomkamp is South African, and his last major film (District 9) had similar themes. It was also released in 2009, well before OWS came into existence. It's clear that whatever politics Blomkamp holds, it comes from from growing up in apartheid South Africa. His first work featuring the themes of poverty, wealth disparity, and racial inequality predate OWS by at least six years (see: the short Alive in Joburg, which is basically the direct predecessor of District 9). So while Blomkamp may share some politics with OWS, it's silly to suggest he borrowed them from OWS or the recent politics of the last couple of years. Side note: the fact that his sci-fi allegories of apartheid-era South Africa has enough in parallel with present-day America to inspire suspicion, is troubling.
- crusso 13y agoit's silly to suggest he borrowed them from OWS What does it matter where the tropes originally came from? They are what they are and they're easy to identify regardless of whether from OWS or his own personal experiences. Jeez, just commenting on the actual movie trailer itself and the politics that it seems to be pushing pretty hard. Seems like I pushed some buttons to get the straw men and heavy negative moderation hammers thrown at me.
- Zikes 13y agoYou're the one that stood the Occupy strawman up, you shouldn't be surprised that someone came along to light it.
- Apocryphon 13y agoWhy so dour, your majesty?
- the_watcher 13y agoClass warfare is a fantastic plot device. As is the "evil corporation". Regardless of politics, these devices don't preclude films being damn good.