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 ---
Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005