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Scaring the audience
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Kevin Winter / Getty Images file |
“Would you have made the film if September 11 had not happened?” the reporter asked.
“Probably not,” replied Spielberg, who added that the film is coming “at a time when Americans feel deeply vulnerable.”
“Won’t this film actually heighten that sense of vulnerability?”
“It probably will,” said Spielberg, who then hedged a bit.
The testy exchange also extended to a discussion of Tom Cruise’s religion, Scientology, which is considered highly suspect in Germany.
Then the reporter even asked Spielberg if he felt guilty for taking the fun out of swimming because people were afraid of water after his 1975 blockbuster “Jaws.”
“Not at all!” Spielberg replied. “On the contrary, I was impishly pleased. The reactions of the public showed me that the film worked and was touching the primeval fears of the audience.”
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I have a hard time with this. Playing on fears is one thing, but making a film that will make people more on edge than most already are in this society is (in my opinion) wrong. I believe that films that lend to a heightened awareness are good, and films that help people relieve stress or forget about the current news are fine, but to me, there is something morally wrong with making a film that will only increase phobias and that will be a detriment to society. I know this also disqualifies other films, but for some reason, this just really irritates me.
I'd be interested in hearing any thoughts. I am just processing this info...
6 comments:
Thanks for the interesting article.
The undermining of our society and all that we are as "one nation under God" has been subtly taking place for years and years.Our very constitution now provides safe haven for man to do almost anything he pleases to his fellow man. Fear is one of the most hedious and debilitating of emotions. It goes deep and scars deep.God's love casts out fear but, with out God's love man is victimized by fear from every front.
Unfortunately God is not going to lead film makers who have no desire to be led. So we need another approach other than hoping the films will get better.God is allowing everyones free will to be expressed and Spielburg has chosen to make his living and add to his already inflated ego by manufacturing fear for the consumers to feed on.He's been doing it since the 70's. So lets not eat at his table OK?! And lets'believe God for the table that He is preparing for us in the very presence of His enemies.The Lord He is God !
I would have to disagree with you. As Americans we have a tendency to feel superior, and "full of ourselves" as a nation. When the original radio broadcast by Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre in 1938 was transmitted, it created a panic, just a few months prior, Hitler invaded Europe and started World War II. The War of The Worlds as written by HG Wells was a lesson in humility, to help mankind understand that we are not all powerful, and totally in control of our destiny. A movie like this helps Christians and Non-Christians understand that there are things more powerful than ourselves.
Good comments all around (I love that the pope took time to comment ;) - I am digesting it, that's all. I honestly have about a thousand different thoughts, all shooting in different directions, but my first reaction is what you saw. Maybe I should comment on this a little during a message...we'll see. Maybe the pope will beat me to it...who knows... :)
David , I 100 percent agree with your comment on The United States. We have been an arrogant people. We are so sure of ourselves that we have replaced the one true God with many other gods.I won't even begin to elaborate. However, I question wether Steven Spielburg is an instrument of God.I don't sense the presence of God in the mass paranoia that a film like this produces.I got saved not because of fear but because of His love for me.He broke my heart with His love.I'm not saying that it's not a possibility, but I do question it.This is something that I must be in prayer about.Thanks for the excersise Rob.It's good that you want us to respond on differant issues like this. It made me realize how much I shoot from the hip in so many areas if you know what I mean! So thanks to you David and Kathy for your comments as well.Now.If we can just get the mind of the Lord on it,we'll be cookin ! love you guys.
Pastor Rob, very interesting subject! Ironic that an epic film of this sort is made by the most powerful director in Hollywood -- who is Jewish, and stars the top-billed actor in Hollywood who is openly "Scientologist"...When have we seen openly Christian "power brokers" in Hollywood? Aside from Mel Gibson, when have we recently seen any openly religious people there? It goes to prove a point -- those in charge of making movies are not concerned with the spirtual and/or emotional welfare of their audiences. They are most concerned with their own egos and wallets. I just thank God that we as a society have been given the intelligence and faith to realize that this type of "entertainment" is not real -- those in the 30's were not so lucky.
On the other hand -- does the audience have a responsibility as well? How did Spielberg get where he's at if not for our hunger to go to the first showing of the monster/sci-fi/shoot-em-up epic?
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