Mainstream Media Continues to Probe Avatar’s Politics
Last night on NBC News with Brian Williams (if you don’t know who that is, it’s the equivalent of Jack Nicholson/William Hurt in Broadcast News) the discussion of Avatar’s politics was discussed. Now, ABC News (presumed the more conservative of the network news programs) also brings it up:
“‘Avatar‘ is a thinly disguised, heavy-handed and simplistic sci-fi fantasy/allegory critical of America from our founding straight through to the Iraq War,” wrote Nolte. “It looks like a big-budget animated film with a garish color palette right off a hippie’s tie dye shirt.”
And the religion thing was also discussed:
Some conservative writers say they are outraged by strong religious undertones in the movie.
“Like the holiday season itself, the science fiction epic is a crass embodiment of capitalistic excess wrapped around a deeply felt religious message,” Conservative writer and blogger Ross Douthat wrote in an op-ed in the New York Times. “‘Avatar’ is Cameron’s long apologia for pantheism — a faith that equates God with Nature, and calls humanity into religious communion with the natural world.”
And:
John Podhoretz, writing a critique for the Weekly Standard, goes so far as to call the movie “anti-American.” “The conclusion does ask the audience to root for the defeat of American soldiers at the hands of an insurgency. So it is a deep expression of anti-Americanism-kind of,” Podhoretz writes.
My opinion: Avatar works wonderfully as a pool of reflection: you see what you want to see. I can’t speak for everyone in the country, only for myself: the part of Avatar that rang true with regard to the current war in Iraq was the part where one of the characters said if people are sitting on “shit we want” we have to make them the enemy. That has never felt more true, and it was echoed beautifully in The Hurt Locker. That’s just my own lefty take. As for the religion/nature thing – this is hardly a new idea. I think we yearn to feel like we are part of the unmade natural world and to that end, Avatar is a great fantasy.
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[...] • Sasha Stone analyzes the mainstream media analysis of “Avatar.” Both NBC and ABC have examined the movie in the context of the current political climate. And conservative commentators have also weighed in with their thoughts. Says Sasha, “My opinion: ‘Avatar’ works wonderfully as a pool of reflection: you see what you want to see.” AWARDS DAILY [...]
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[...] their first black nominee ever (for motion pictures at least). Avatar keeps raking in the cash, and sparking editorials but none of this makes it the automatic frontrunner. The annual critics "top ten list" [...]
Jeremiah says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:21am
“John Podhoretz, writing a critique for the Weekly Standard, goes so far as to call the movie “anti-American.” “The conclusion does ask the audience to root for the defeat of American soldiers at the hands of an insurgency. So it is a deep expression of anti-Americanism-kind of,” Podhoretz writes.”
Typical anti-Hollywood buffoonery. The Weekly Standard is a right-wing rag.
Dah says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:22am
“Avatar” might seem new and exciting to Americans who don’t actually live near actual Native Americans. I wonder how many American moviegoers know that our own “blueskins” managed to mount a pretty competent, all-tribe coalition against the invading whites – and didn’t need a white hero to lead them. Ever hear of Tecumseh?
I disliked the movie not because it seemed “anti-American” but because it seemed so “pro-American” in that we still fantasize that no matter how bad we are, the forest folk still need US (ie Jake Sully) to lead them to victory. Whatever. I wouldn’t even call it “white guilt” – more like “same old white-centered fantasy.”
Noah R. says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:22am
Nolte as in John Nolte? When he pursues a vendetta, he never lets it go, and he simply will not let the politics of any movie go. He’s the definition of a blowhard. That said, Big Hollywood is hilarious. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a laugh at the expense of the far-right.
Avatar’s politics are so simplistic that even if I liked the film I wouldn’t take them seriously. Just because there Nixonian elements in the mayor in Jaws, doesn’t mean it’s a hard-hitting political expose. It’s a popcorn movie. Get over it.
Jeremiah says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:23am
As far as I remember, never is it implied that it is the US military. I seem to remember it was a Blackwater style contractor.
Ryan Adams says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:23am
I wonder if Podhoretz would cheer the rape in Platoon too.
Anyway, as actual smart people have pointed out time and time again — those are not American military soldiers in Avatar. They’re a private corporate militia of professional mercenaries, invading another land to steal what they want, murder anybody who stands in their way, and devastate their culture, leaving smoldering ruins behind. yay! Go USA! USA! USA!
Zwingli the Miffed says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:45am
While I am not riding the Avatar train (putting it mildly), the hysterical freakout from the Right about it is breathtaking to behold. Almost every other article on John Nolte’s website is a hyperventilating freakout over how “anti-American” Avatar is supposed to be. Arguing with those people is like arguing with a tree. Then again, that is the website that argued last year that Slumdog Millionaire was somehow “anti-American”.
filmboymichael says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:48am
I just posted the other day that I wondered when people would start raising the question of avatar’s anti american message…which it clearly is…
i loved the movie, but it definitely has an anti american pov….let’s not forget james cameron’s canadian roots….we may be neighbours and love each other, but we are usually the first to point out the greed, arrogance and power hungry the americans are.
Sasha Stone says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:51am
Again, people see what they want to see, with help from the filmmakers. The Na’vi are clearly most physically like cats than they are American Indians or African Americans and yet, and yet…
Ashwin says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:52am
Slumdog Millionaire worshipped the Americans.
“You want to see the real india, this is it.”
“Well here is the real America son.” (gives him $100)
Inglourious praises Americans too.
But my favorite character of the year was the commander or whatever from Avatar. Sipping his coffee while watching the destruction. What a hero!
Ashwin says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:53am
District 9 was kind of anti-american too, I think. Certainly a bit anti-negro.
Jeremiah says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:54am
“The Na’vi are clearly most physically like cats than they are American Indians or African Americans and yet, and yet…”
Huh? The film clearly has a political message to deliver. Deforestation, urban sprawl, Exxon Valdez, the Trail of Tears all rolled into one.
filmboymichael says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:54am
i see the feline references to the na’vi physicality, but they are also – in their tribal jewelry, headpieces, bows and arrows – very native as well….that can’t really be denied…
WalterNeff says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:57am
Cameron is allowed to be Anti-American. He’s Canadian
Me says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:58am
Oh, I like very much the idea that Avatar acts as a reflecting pool. Those who are shallow and have nothing to offer themselves will see “no story” where there is plenty, Fox News and their ilk will see an attack because that’s all they understand.
Zwingli the Miffed says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:58am
9. A 30 second scene with a passing reference to the US hardly makes Slumdog Millionaire either pro or anti American. The most infuriating thing about John Nolte’s Big Hollywood is it literally views ALL culture through the increasingly narrow prism of Conservative Hypernationalism.
Hell, today’s anti-Avatar screed actually suggested that the movie would have been improved if the plot had involved heroic American marines “liberating” the Navi from their (not making this up) “Muslim oppressors”.
Jonah Goldberg already suggested that the Navi should have (again not making this up) “embraced Jesus Christ”.
So, in these pinhead’s minds, literally the entire universe should now reflect their Christianist mentality.
Me says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:01am
“those are not American military soldiers in Avatar. They’re a private corporate militia of professional mercenaries”
The exact line that explains what they are goes something like, “Back home they were soldiers, putting their life on the line for country. Here they’re just hired guns.”
That doesn’t necessarily indicate that they can’t still be military, and it points out that they actually are soldiers from Earth who are or were once in the military. I’m perfectly fine with the idea that they are soldiers. We’ve seen far too many movies this year that props up soldiers as the “always hero” type. That’s just BS and every one knows it, it’s entirely possible to be a soldier and be a complete douchebag, but those types never get portrayed in movies so I’m glad Avatar is at least walking that line as close to soldier as possible.
Jeremiah says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:09am
I think it’s Cameron’s way of speaking out against the war in Iraq and the power the goons that work for Blackwater and other security companies have.
Candice Frederick says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:13am
it’s hard not to watch Avatar and relate it to several current political issues–Iraq war, race relations, etc. the arguments can be seen as valid. but that’s one of the reason it’s quite a provocative film. but i believe the stuning visual effects outweigh the story most definitely.
Brian says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:29am
It was obviously anti Bush-Cheney with the “shock and awe” reference. Whether that’s anti-American or not is up to you.
Where were the Na’vi that gassed their own people? Or invaded the neighboring tribe of Ku’wait? Or suppressed their own people through murder and kidnapping? I’m sure that will be in the prequel. Avatar makes Crash look delicate and subtle.
I love the left-wing Aliens. I dislike the left-wing, infantile, ham-fisted Avatar. The Hurt Locker was infinitely better making its political points. (e.g. paraphrasing Renner’s character: “Well if he wasn’t an insurgent, he is now.”)
Mike C. says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:01am
I think it’s very clear that Cameron intended the Na’Vi to be reflective of oppressed native cultures on Earth, but I don’t think it’s as insidious as some of the purveyors of the “white guilt” criticism. This isn’t a white guy who saves the poor, helpless savages. This is a white guy who has his cup filled by a rich culture that doesn’t need to rape and pillage to survive, a culture that also has a literal connection to its land. This white guy then becomes a blue person, pays for it and then pairs his knowledge of the enemy with the strengths of the people and the planet. At the end, he’s not a white guy living among the natives, as many stories of this ilk end, he actually IS a native. Tom Cruise can never be Japanese in The Last Samurai, Costner can never be a Native American in Dances With Wolves. But Worthington becomes one of the so-called “other.”
Mike C. says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:04am
That should read: as insidious as some of the purveyors of the “white guilt” criticism would have you believe.
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:09am
Oh, the corporate network with massive energy interests is critical of Avatar’s thematic elements that might be contrary to their profit-making brainwashing campaigns? SHOCKER!
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:11am
To “Me” above, very well stated!
Zwingli the Miffed says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:26am
24. What is RED RAINBOW?
Mike C. says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:30am
Sasha, here’s Conor Friedersdorf’s thorough defense of Avatar and a response to several of the MSM voices you mentioned above: http://theamericanscene.com/2010/01/06/avatar-offers-us-a-unique-world-where-we-can-reflect-on-the-inescapable-conflicts-man-always-has-and-always-will-face
daveylow says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:36am
Anything that doesn’t fit into the conservative and evangelical/radical Christian agenda is anti-American.
Last I heard this was still a free country.
unlikelyhood says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:45am
I agree with Sasha: it’s a much better Rorschach than the one in “Watchmen.”
Sasha gave you the right’s complaints. Here are the left’s: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/willheaven/100020488/james-camerons-avatar-is-a-stylish-film-marred-by-its-racist-subtext/
And here’s the centrist apologia, which Mike C. abbreviated up at comment #20: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/between-the-lines/200912/the-racial-politics-avatar
“avatar” – root word “to descend” and “to cross over” – seems like a lotta people descending because they don’t like how Cameron crosses over
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:48am
I don’t like how the corporatists, religious right and fringe wingnuts have appropriated “American” as their own. America is a mixing pot–we have a lot of divergent backgrounds and views. And the ONLY Americans that can truly call themselves Americans are the indigenous peoples who are very well represented in Avatar. So, if anything, Avatar is the MOST pro-American movie made in a generation.
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:54am
Unlikelihood, I’m not sure this Telegraph columnist represents the left.
unlikelyhood says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11:11am
Ok Bebe I give – who does? (I don’t mean to be snarky)
john says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11:31am
AVATAR is good science fiction. It rings true because it is a futuristic extrapolation of patterns which have occurred in our past and present. Is it reasonable to identify support in the story for pantheism and insurgency? Sure. I didn’t exactly agree with the politics of DIRTY HARRY; I still think it’s a great movie. A movie’s quality is not based upon its agreement with one’s own convictions; in fact an ability to challenge those convictions is a sign of artistic strength. Did this movie get my bloodlust going against the human military invaders? Absolutely! Did that trouble me as I left the theatre given my relatively patriotic American stance and the obvious analogy? It sure did! Does that mean it is less of an artistic work? Not at all! Are the statements quoted in this article wrong in their assessments? No, I can easily see how reasonable people might reach those conclusions. Does that mean AVATAR isn’t a great film? Hell, no, it’s a goshdarned classic that will stick around for the next 50-100 years, and here’s hoping Jimmy makes another movie this decade!
Dr. Strangelove says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 12:21pm
Avatar’s “subversiveness” is really rather shallow, though. District 9 subverts the “lead guy becomes helper of the poor prawns” by making him an asshole that’s rather counter-productive at points.
John Deagle says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 12:36pm
Avatar promotes a new world order. It is complete garbage. Manmade global warming is a myth.
How much money will Cameron make from this anti-capitalist garbage.
It’s a terrible film, but it will be nominated for Best Picture.
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:25pm
John Deagle, you would be hilarious if that attitude weren’t so short-sighted and therefore threatening to all of us (not just you and the other flat-earthers).
Unlikelihood, not to derail too much, but that’s the left’s biggest curse (unlike, until very recently, the right): a tremendous diversity of views. I did hear the radio talk show host Thom Hartmann talk about how thought provoking he felt the film was, that it inspired him to think of scenarios relating to indigenous people who were invaded/destroyed by settlers/conquerors, and how different the world might look if those invaders had been repelled by peoples who lived in harmony with the natural world (as opposed to we, who have extended through technology our workdays, population growth and access to the natural resources of other parts of the world, thus usurping). I don’t believe there’s generally any kind of unanimity on the left with Avatar.
For my part, I loved it and hope it wins Best Pic.
John Deagle says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:42pm
Avatar is the second worst science fiction film in history.
The worst science fiction film is AN INCONVIENT TRUTH.
I recommend watching THE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE.
The GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE was voted best film by the FLAT EARTH SOCIETY.
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:55pm
Oh, John Deagle, please tell me more about the Flat Earth Society! Do they have an awards show?
Bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:58pm
Who are you talking to? I think you chased everybody else away. But not me. I’m FASCINATED!
Sasha Stone says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 2:03pm
Bebe, haha. The Flat Earth society DOES have an awards show. And I think the host is going to be Ben Stein.
bebe says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 2:32pm
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Wow.
Big G says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 3:38pm
So Nolte and a number of others think that Avatar is anti-American? That is hilarious. How the hell did they come to that conclusion exactly?
I’ve seen the movie and not once are Americans or America mentioned. Not once are Native Americans mentioned. And no, I didn’t percieve the characters to reflect those particular ethnic groups.
Yes the soldiers had American accents but if they’d been South African like District 9 would Nolte have been saying it was anti-South African? And that is the ONLY real connection to Americans.
‘The Navi are Native Americans’ – Why? Err they were tall! Then surely they must be Masai? They lived in a forest/jungle, surely they were South Americans or from Borneo? Some had dreadlocks, well they MUST be Jamaican. They worshipped Nature, damn! They were Wickens then?
I’m English Australian and John(?) Nolte and his followers really have no idea how much those of us outside of the USA laugh at such self centered, conceited and inane comments like those printed above.
I’ll dine out on this for months.
John Deagle says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 5:21pm
Beebe, I’d like to take you to AVATAR 2.
I’ll be the guy in the back with the video camera.
I thought CO2 stimulated plant growth. We need global warming.
Climate always changes you morons.
Ryan Adams says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 5:51pm
I thought CO2 stimulated plant growth. We need global warming.
Plants thrive with plenty of H2O. That explains why New Orleans is a lush rain forest.
I’d like to take you to AVATAR 2.
I’ll be the guy in the back with the video camera.
John Deagle’s grasp of climatology is only rivaled by his mastery of 3D optics.
unlikelyhood says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:03pm
Bebe: I guess. Perhaps a better articulation of the left’s position would be that noble-savage films hurt the real poor of the world, because as soon as we see that lots of them actually do like jeans/shoes/money, the John Deagles of the world say “I told you so!” and corporations take away their microloans. It’s all about nuance; in Dustin Hoffman’s Little Big Man, the natives were fighting with each other, there was even a very out homosexual – I agree with complaints that Cameron coulda done about 20% more nuance without losing his audience. And casting someone other than a total white-bread lead wouldn’t have hurt.
I know I just said John Deagle, but I don’t believe he’s real. “Climate always changes you morons”? When no one on this thread has even mentioned it? Nah, I’ve used this bridge before, I know what it smells like when a troll is crapping under it. If he keeps this up for 2 more days I might change my mind.
Ryan Adams says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:19pm
John Deagle is just excited because the glacier he’s been encased in for 20,000 years is finally thawing out. Shame that his ice shelf is now floating out to sea. We won’t be seeing much of him around here anymore
Katie says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:28pm
It’s only anti-American insofar as you believe the Iraq war was about oil and oppression. Conservatives deny that to be true, so why would they even register the affront? They should see no comparisons.
The problem here is that conservatives recognise that America is deserving of criticism with regard to it’s foreign policy of recent years, yet they never admit it. Instead they become all defensive, perceiving any refence to America, no matter how small, as an all out attack on the entire country.
I don’t think that Avatar is meant to be a direct analogy where you can make one-to-one substitutes from one sitution to the other. Sure, aspects of the film are no doubt referencing the Iraq war but to me it seems to be saying something more about the shittiness of human beings in general.
King Raymond the Black says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:38pm
I must say that this John fellow is pretty interesting. John It must be remembered that when the Vikings first arrived in northern Newfoundland a Mediterranean climate was prevalent, the Vikings called Newfoundland “Vineland” because of the wild grape vines in abundance. So the question is always if what is happening now is anthropogenic or just part of a natural cycle. There is no doubt that we are witness to climatic variation but “global warming” is newspeak with a political agenda.
Ryan Adams says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:55pm
I must say that this John fellow is pretty interesting.
You know what else is pretty interesting? King Raymond and “this John fellow” live a few miles from each other. Where the ice for skating is getting very thin.
unlikelyhood says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:57pm
It’s only anti-American insofar as you believe the Iraq war was about oil and oppression. Conservatives deny that to be true, so why would they even register the affront? They should see no comparisons.
Brilliant. I love it. I mean, our heroes are chucking Marines out of planes at the end, so I’m not sure that covers everything, but I still plan to use it. Thanks Katie!
Ryan I had a feeling – too many Johns in that last post. But I’m disappointed he’s not taking the bait on your ice-thawing analogies. I think this particular Captain America just learned that the Avengers that saved his ice-frozen ass are government agents and jumped back in the Atlantic. Caught a ride with his buddy DW Griffith and Lillian Gish to the nearest ice-flow station of DeNile. Well you get the drift.
Sasha Stone says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 7:26pm
Climate always changes you morons.
Indeed. And whole populations of different species have met their demise due to climate change. But how many species with the knowledge of this create conditions under which they obliterate themselves with climate change? It’s going to happen anyway but if we can slow it down, why the hell not. Oh because it will make conservatives mad. Oh, right, good reason.
Alan of Montreal says:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:03pm
here’s an entirely different take on the film:
http://io9.com/5422666/when-will-white-people-stop-making-movies-like-avatar