File spoon-archives/marxism-thaxis.archive/marxism-thaxis_1998/marxism-thaxis.9803, message 914


Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 17:47:50 +0100
From: Hugh Rodwell <m-14970-AT-mailbox.swipnet.se>
Subject: M-TH: Access to films a democratic issue


Gary D writes:

>But we don't need 'experts' and psychiatrists to tell us what we can or
>cannot watch,

The "experts" making up censorship boards are usually a pretty skewed
selection of what's available, I should think.

They're welcome to join in the public discussion of works of art.

Why discuss showing films as if it's in some kind of vacuum and the only
choice is state censorship or state free-for-all -- it isn't. Films and all
art raise questions of democratic accessibility (just as the press and TV
do). In our society accessibility and freedom of selection are available to
money, not human beings. The first demand in relation to all this who gets
what discussion is complete and equal accessibility to culture with no
privileges for money.

Since there is no way such a demand can be realized in any but the most
castrated and otherwise mutilated form under capitalism, any serious
cultural demands are transitional in nature. Seek a serious solution, and
you're raising questions of class power in society and the need to change
it to get anything done.

Cheers,

Hugh

PS Gary also writes:

>and films shouldn't need to [be] like fairy-tales to be acceptable.

If he'd read any fairy-tales, he'd know that they are blood-curdling
inventions, full of cannibalism, poisoning, mutilation, tyranny and
superstition (and that's not half of it). My ten-year old daughter has
always steadfastly refused to listen to fairy-tales (stubborn little tyke!)
because she claims they scare her and give her nightmares. My step-daughter
lapped 'em up from a tender age, however.

-h




     --- from list marxism-thaxis-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005