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Fidel (2002)
Yet another refined propaganda-movie on the subject.
This is so sad. People who are curious and want to know about history, maybe get to see this inaccurate slander first. It's a prime example of an extremely manipulative propaganda movie. They do the trick by talking as if they were the authentic person (Fidel) and pretending things. They create a straw man. Later on (like at the very end) they blend in real arguments and quotes, but those then lose all credibility and content with the set-up movie-background that is given.
So when you talk to a person who says he knows something about the Cuban revolution, he might really only have seen this movie and based everything on it. Naturally, then, there'll be a clash of opinions, because this person believes that the actions portrayed in the movie have the purposes that have been presented by the actors. In reality the person will know everything about the plot, but nothing about Cuban history or Fidel.
If you see how power corrupts in the movie, I did, then it was the purpose of the film maker. And nothing else. It doesn't imply that the real life Castro is corrupted by power. That in itself is actually a strange statement, because it implies that Castro is or was the sole decision maker, which isn't true. Things are decided through voting. (Not by money or the television space it can buy).
Then there is the point about counter-revolutionaries. In the movie it's just some scapegoat for consolidating power. In reality it is and was a grave threat to all kinds of revolutions. Coups, invasions, sabotage, assassinations, raids, terrorism and so on, are extremely common. Even slander movies like this one are made for that purpose. But despite this the Cuban revolution still lives on, where others have been unsuccessful.
However, this movie is very interesting in one aspect, and that is that it shows more about our own society than of the Cuban one. The movie made me realize how money can spread ideas or even lies and in a way be used to "buy" votes or support. But this can only work in a society where people are ignorant (on purpose or not).
Finally, I would suggest people who are interested in history to see "Che Part One" and Two. Those are better movies, which, at least to me don't seem to be made to discredit Fidel, Che or Cuba. They are accurate and were displayed on the cinemas in Cuba and people reportedly applauded. That's how movies should be made. For people, not against them. Same goes for acting (which was terrible in this movie).
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
History should come first, profits second!
Great! Another American pro-"freedom of the rich" propaganda movie with loads of stereotypes and errors. The movie makes fun of the Soviet people and their struggle against fascism. They saved Europe from Nazism. More than 70% of the Nazi troops were annihilated on the eastern front. Unlike what most people here in the west think...
Furthermore, people who don't know better are tricked to believe that the movie is accurate and that the arguments against certain political ideas are good and true. The movie also tries to be witty in its critique against the permanent struggle for a better life.
The logic is: Whenever man struggles for freedom from oppression (poverty, unemployment and homelessness are also forms of oppression - only the rich are free) it fails. There's no need for even trying fighting for a better society. That's the meaning behind the movie. To make money and make soviets look evil in favor of our own "superb" society. Of course it's superb for the people who can afford to make the movie.
Looks like only the ones with money can get their messages and ideas across. Both through movies and media.
If anyone wants a more accurate description of the battle of Stalingrad one should see the German movie "Stalingrad". It's MUCH better. And there's no politics in that one...
A Perfect World (1993)
Thesis: "A Perfect World"
This movie has really nothing to do with religion. It's just testing the thesis that this is "a perfect world". The contents of the movie itself is the antithesis. This is no perfect world, many people can't afford visiting amusement parks or live a good life. "Ordinary" children with money are allowed to do various activities while Philip who is poor isn't. He can't do things children are supposed to do. That's the reason for the list. This has nothing to do with Jehovas Witnesses, as some people think.
In a perfect world smart guys like Butch get a chance to do something out of their lives. They don't have to turn into criminals. The society in this "perfect world" never gives poor smart people a chance. In a perfect world everyone get what they need to live a good life, and don't have to steal.
The movie is about our modern society and how sick it is. Not about religion! Clint Eastwood doesn't only want to entertain with his movies. There's a certain depth in them, he wants to tell us something about how and why people live their lives like they do.