Written by: Sydney Barakat at theantimedia.org
The recently released film “American Sniper” has received some negative feedback, as some see the film as a poor representation of the invasion of Iraq — manipulating the reality of the war as something that was done strictly in the name of national security, protecting the freedom of American civilians, and as something much more morally correct than it actually was. And also that the film glorifies a soldier who admittedly enjoyed killing those he deemed as “savages.” (Some of these savages did, in fact, include women and children).
Ultimately the film is stirring up much controversy and rekindling the fire of past debates, especially in Hollywood.
Seth Rogen and Michael Moore are two of the public figures who have recently tweeted about the film.
On January 18th, Rogen tweeted “American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that’s showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds.”
Moore later reiterated Rogen’s point-of-view, by tweeting “My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren’t heroes. And invaders r worse.”
Shortly after, both Rogen and Moore attempted to “clarify” exactly what they meant in their tweets.
However, Fox News and other media outlets have been quite unforgiving and unrelenting in labeling critics such as Seth Rogen and Michael Moore, as jealous of the film’s immense box office success. As seen in this article from the Fox News Insider, which was released January 20th.
Kevin Jackson of “America’s Newsroom” is particularly adamant in declaring the critics as purely “envious,” as can be seen in the above article.
Along with Jackson, the exceptionally annoying Maria Sansone of “Good Day LA” on Fox 11 News claimed the same thing – that anyone hating on the film was just a jealous, washed-up and worn-out Hollywood nobody, on the morning news.
However, the only thing regretful about what Rogen and Moore had to say about the film, was that they later back-pedaled from their original statements. Most likely because of the amount of backlash they were receiving for their commentary.
But why is it that calling a film that has already perpetuated hate against Muslims and Arabs “propaganda” deemed as “jealousy”? Aren’t we just calling it what it really is?
While mainstream media is all up-in-arms about defending the film as well as Chris Kyle himself, not one peep has been uttered about how the film has further generated negative stereotypes thus refueling discrimination and false assumptions about Middle Eastern people as well as a distorted reality of the war in Iraq. Which is, after all, what we call propaganda.
You were kinda on the right track, Seth Rogen. Oh well, one step forward, two steps back.
Related Articles:
The Real American Sniper: Why Chris Kyle Wasn’t A Hero
I see there points that snipers aren’t heroes but i dont think the movie glorifies him i see it rather as a critic
I would still really like to watch “American Sniper” to be honest
I’m not envious of those who participate in state sanctioned murder for hire.
Wish we could learn to live in peace. Now that would be an acomplishment!
Here here!!
why do people get so worked up over something that will be completely forgotten in a couple months?
It stays in the subconscious part of your brain forever. This part of the brain control ~90% of what you say and do in your life… Just a thought..
But it is a fictitious account It went before a jury that said he was a liar. So we have a proven liar that wants to brag about killing people. Isnt that the definition of a psychopath?? I mean what type of person goes on tv and writes a book about killing people that lies to help promote the book? And snipers are a needed part in warfare a rifleman doing his job. But this guy went too far as in mentally unstable. Either going in or not but certainly coming out he was sick in the head.
A proven liar. It went before a jury they said he lied .So it is a fictitious account . So we have a proven liar bragging about killing people Isnt that the definition of a psychopath? Maybe not so much going in but coming out he was certainly unstable probably a victim of the war .
how can chris kyle defend the film when he’s dead. if anything it would be his widow defending it as she’s earning money of this disgusting man’s book made into a glorified film of killing muslims. if anything, like his book it should be withdrawn for creating more hate towards people of the islamic faith. btw i am not religious but have been leaning more to islam and find myself having to defend it and the people, as others are completely ignorant to the fact that all war films atm are creating hate speech and scare mongering that anyone who looks like they are muslim are going to blow you up or can’t be trusted as they are all supposedly working together to bring the west down…….which is a complete lie and the complete opposite of what they are doing. they want peace and are targeted by governments, police, and people on the street from complete ignorance to their faith.
please read my comments below, if youd like to educate yourself further into this situation, please read the works of Sam Harris. Until then, you are entitled to your own opinion, but I doubt youll be of the same opinion upon furthering your awareness of this situation.
I am just wondering who will be the first person to photoshop a dick right above her hea… i mean cmon..
no
I wish when people in the public eye made comments that are controversial, they wouldn’t “mend” them. Stick by it and be controversial and different
in reference to the beginning of the article, id say that we can debate endlessly on our governments motives for invading Iraq, but if by your comments you are questioning the justification of overthrowing saddam hussein, then I suggest you look further into that situation. Albeit we botched the handling of that situation thereafter the overthrow, the occupation of Iraq and overthrow of this man was morally necessary, which is reason enough as to send our troops into Iraq and as to why we needed men like Chris Kyle. I also draw issue with the last paragraph of this article, “…further generated negative stereotypes thus refueling discrimination and false assumptions about Middle Eastern people.” This to me reads as if to vilify those extremist Islam groups that occupy the Middle East and ultimately caused these actions based on the inherently violent nature of their religion. These extreme muslims defend the faith with ruthless violence in hopes that they further the faith and die doing so, in order for them to reach paradise with the 72 virgins via martyrdom. That, unfortunately, is just the nature of the situation in the Middle East and thus the extremists of the Islam faith. Now, it is a whole separate issue to assume and stereotype that all muslims think and act this way, but there is absolutely no denying the link between the religion and the behavior of the fundamentalists/extremists. Not all muslims are this extreme, fundamental, and devout. All those who do believe this are acting in a prejudice manner, and are flat wrong. But for those who are muslim and are equipped with a rational moral compass that allow them to see the ethical issues within the violent scriptures of the Quran, are in an extremely tough situation, as the penalty for leaving/speaking out against the religion is death. This prevents good people from voicing their opinion on the religion (violating their inalienable right to freedom of speech), which is further perpetuating the violent acts of these fundamentalists. It is up to us (America) to empower these people, protect them, enable their inalienable right to free speech, and allow them to voice their issues with the religion of Islam without fear of death. Because of our failure to do this, the vast majority of the world doesn’t get to see the justified criticisms of Islam as a religion. Furthermore, then you get the clever propaganda from those Islamist groups claiming “Islamophobia” when it is, in fact, right and justified to have concern and fear for this religion that is based/driven on violence. We need to be able to further these conversations concerning the link between belief and behavior, and the moral/ethical issues they are causing. This link between belief and behavior does not exclusively include the religious beliefs of Islam, this also includes the link of belief to behavior for Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Jainism, and for all thinkable religions. Charlie Hebdo should act as a platform to shine light onto this issue so that we can stand up to the violation of our inalienable rights that these extremist Islam groups are placing onto the entire world. It is our duty to protect the inalienable right to freedom of speech, and if nothing else, that is what Chris Kyle was attempting to enable by his actions in the Iraq war.
Furthermore, “you get the clever propaganda from those Islamist groups claiming “Islamophobia” when it is, in fact, right and justified to have concern and fear for this religion that is based/driven on violence.” Sounds suspiciously like anybody claiming the ‘anti-Semite’ card when speaking about the Zionist occupation of Palestine.
Are you trying to justify killing innocent middle-eastern bystanders for the actions and views of a select minority of extremists? This makes you sound like an extremist yourself, what difference is killing innocent Americans or innocent Iraqis? Your argument is invalid.
You are backwards. Your post makes me think of the spoof film ‘Team America’ you believe that you have some sort of God given birthright to meddle in everyone else’s business. Look at yourself before you even begin to criticise others, and you should stop believing your country’s propaganda.
The US government are the terrorists, the conspiracy theorists and the biggest war mongerers on the face of this planet.
As well as all that, what on earth could you possibly have against the religion of Buddhism?