U.S. distributors snuff Darwin film
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by Joseph Watts on September 24, 2009 at 4:00 am under Opinion
There is a movie coming out soon that I would love to see. But I can’t. And why, might you ask, can’t I see this movie? Well, according to the UK publication The Telegraph, “U.S. distributors have resolutely passed on a film which will prove hugely divisive…”
No American company will show the movie. The producer of the movie also agrees it is far too controversial for American audiences.
What could be so damn controversial? We have movies about teenage sex, violence, porn stars, hookers, genocide, war and religion. What could be worse than all of that?
Evolution.
The movie is titled Creation: the Movie, and it is primarily about a middle-aged Darwin who is struggling with his faith and his marriage, while dealing with the memory of his child who died years earlier.
The movie is not being carried by U.S. distributors because they apparently think it is too controversial.
This is a form of private censorship. And now, I can’t see the movie. Well, I can wait until it goes to DVD and pay to have it shipped from god-knows-where, but I would rather just get it here. After all, “…it has a deal everywhere else in the world but in the U.S.,” said producer Jeremy Thomas.
What is so wrong with so many of us that major U.S. distributors won’t carry a drama about Darwin’s life? Is Darwin truly that disliked and mistrusted by so many Americans? It has been a century and a half since the publication of On The Origin Of Species (the writing that is chronicled, in part, throughout the movie).
Even if you disagree with Darwinian evolution, it is time to grow up and move on. American fundamentalism has stood in the way of progress more than once in the past, and now itís standing in the way of my movie. Everything has its place, so stop trying to teach creationism in schools — that is what churches are for. Let science have its place, and movies theirs: in theaters, preferably nearby.
This situation amounts to nothing more than corporate censorship based upon the perceived notion that this movie would be controversial to American audiences. Maybe it will be, but that’s a good thing.
Controversy is good. Controversy brings important issues into the political foreground, not that the creation-evolution debate has lacked coverage in the past. But maybe what we need is a more in-depth look at whom we are promoting or arguing against when we talk about Darwin. If American audiences could see this movie, if it was promoted and held in theaters, then maybe Creation: The Movie could bring just that.
5 Comments
While it is agreeable that this movie is being censored despite the other showings of sex, violence, drug wars, and genocide, I can not help but notice that the argument is presented like that of a spoiled child. I am not at all sympathetic that you cannot watch your movie and have to wait for it to come on DVD. Not to mention, with a little research, I am sure you could find it on the plethora of movie downloading sites on the internet.
Two other small vexations: “god-knows-where” has a very ironic sense in an article about Darwinian Evolution. I was not aware that “god” had much of a factor in that belief system. Secondly, creationism is not being taught in schools, as every class I have taken here has not once mentioned it, but rather shoved evolutionary doctrine down my throat. If everything has its place, then i say, keep scientific doctrinal belief out of schools as well, and just stick to the facts of what we know, see, and hear, rather than pushing as truth the latest “brilliant” theory of how worthless the human life really is. If religion is to stay in church, than science should stay in the lab, Education should be in schools, and movies should stay in the realm of movies, which, in todays culture is sadly declining in meaningful value.
Should it be pointed out, “god-knows-who,” that without science in schools, we’re left with the arts and letters and little else? If I do not believe that atoms exist because I cannot see them, but instead have machines which (based on theories) tell me that what they detect is a hydrogen atom, should I not believe it exists? If I am also to stick with what I know, see, and hear, should I point out that as a believer in a higher power, I have never known (because to claim know the divine would be more than a little arrogant), seen, or heard God? I believe, nonetheless, that God is. If you have heard God’s voice, please tell me, is he a baritone? If you have seen God, can you tell me if he is in fact a he or a she? And if you know God, can you ask him why he makes such foolish children who choose to fight with their brothers and sisters about their belief in Him, all the while claiming He is on their side? I’m guessing you presume too much about the Almighty, as so many have before. He is infinite, and therefore unknowable. He is everywhere, but cannot be seen. He is in the voices of love and compassion, but he cannot be heard.
And if you know God, ask him what his favorite activity is for me, please.
I’m voting on ski ball.
Apologies, but one more question: which creationism should be taught? Christian? Which Christian belief: Genesis I or Genesis II? That ignores Jewish and Muslim beliefs which don’t necessarily agree. What about the various Native American Creationist beliefs? Hindu? Buddhist? What about ancient Roman and Greek? Personally, I am a big fan of Australian aboriginal creationism, which talks about the Ungambikula and the Dreamtime. How about the Norse? There are an awful lot to pick from.
Last time I checked… science was a legitimate subject area for “education.” The evidence that evolution is the vehicle for the emergence of man is now overwhelming. Molecular biology provides the final nail for the coffin for creationism.
Time for the US to grow up and get real as far evolution is concerned. Enough of this foo foo creationism business.
If its anything like the PBS movie on Darwin – it just plain sucked for reasons that had nothing to do with any controversey.
Maybe it just sucks?