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February 26, 2008
Movies as Moral Landscape
The Seven Samurai
Yesterday, in our post, we introduced Gila of My Shrapnel and her articulate dissection, Part I, Part II, of the intellectually bankrupt notes by the director of the film A Death in Jerusalem—a film that is, at best, an ethical black hole.
We said that all movies are, in one way or the other, a moral landscape.
The first moral choice a film maker makes is subject matter.
The second choice is point of view; choosing the main character and supporting characters.
An Arab propagandist cobbled together a film, Jenin, Jenin, actually a blood libel—there is no other phrase to describe this false narrative—a film that spreads the virus that the IDF massacred civilians in Jenin in 2002.
Of course, no such thing ever happened.
It's all a lie. The Big Jenin Lie.
In truth, the final death toll was 56 Palestinians, the majority of them combatants, and 23 Israeli soldiers.
The IDF went into Jenin, a deadly urban environment, with ground troops, in order to avoid inflicting civilian casualties. In making this decision the IDF suffered terrible fatalities, in one single ambush thirteen Jewish soldiers were killed in a narrow alley.
Contrast this with the siege by the Lebanese army on the Palestinian town of Nahr el-Bared, which was indiscriminently shelled for months. Lebanese ground troops were barely used because urban combat is on the side of the terrorists. Of course, we have not seen any films about the massacre in Nahr el-Bared, though the Lebanese Army killed scores of civilians. It seems the world, especially the Arab-Muslim world, has a high tolerance for Arab on Arab massacres.
But as always, Pallywood grinds away with their side of the story—this dark hole of a phrase that passes for intellectual thought is a mask for a series of modern blood libels, one of the most notorious, The al Durah Affair.
My modest local library has Jenin, Jenin on its shelves. I checked it out, screened it and was sickened. It's like watching Nazi propaganda, a series of lies piled upon lies. I talked to the librarian, who knew nothing about the film. She reared back at the notion of plucking it from the shelves because, y'know, that would be censorship. I asked her how she would feel if there was a film in her library that claimed that blacks were never slaves in America, that The Middle Passage was an elaborate hoax. She, a lovely black lady, just stared at me and refused to entertain the notion that there was any intellectual linkage.
America wins wars when Hollywood helps fight those wars. When Hollywood chooses the path of moral equivalency, when Hollywood chooses the squishy, black hole of multiculturalism, then America loses and retreats. Witness, Vietnam. Witness the uncertainty as the American public gazes and blinks in bafflement at Iraq and Afghanistan, front lines in the war on Islamic jihad.
Movies can be world's most powerful propaganda tool, if properly utilized.
I am a screenwriter because as a young, alienated yeshiva student I wandered into a movie theater and saw The Seven Samurai. This towering film, the story of resistance to terrorism, inspired me to become a screenwriter.
Toshiru Mifune in The Seven Samurai
It's a perfect movie, and a movie of perfect moral clarity.
The most Jewish non-Jewish movie ever produced.
And now, as Jew-haters crank out slick propaganda designed to annihilate the Jewish state and the Jewish people, we are witness to Jews who prop up this juggernaut of hate. They are nothing new. The Maccabees declared war against the Hellenized Jews of the Greek-Assyrian Empire, and we must do the same. We too must fight the jihadists and their fifth columnist enablers—with swords, and most certainly with fine screenplays and morally sharp cameras.
Hat Tip: Seraphic Friend, Ari Kinsberg
Jenin Links:
I asked my friend Soccer Dad if he could provide me with some of his invaluable Jenin links and he graciously obliged:
Here's a briefing by Dr. Ephraim Sneh, and Maj. David Zangen Chief Medical Officer of the Jenin Area.
A Lost Soldier, Staff Sgt. Matanya Robinson
A Lost Soldier, Sgt. Shmuel Weiss
Soccer Dad adds: “Shmuel Akiva Weiss was a medic. When Matanya Robinson was shot, Weiss ran to treat him. That's when a sniper shot him. Remember the MDA is not internationally protected, not that the terrorist who killed Shmuel Akiva Weiss would have cared about such things.”
But there was something else the two men had in common.
Soccer Dad notes: A sad post-script, Stewart Weiss, who wrote the above article had a son who was later killed in combat too.
The Ongoing War blogs about the screening of Jenin, Jenin. Here's the summary of this fine and necessary blog: “Many people lack a factual understanding of events in our region because the media often report them inadequately and inaccurately. Our daughter Malki, murdered at the age of 15 in a restaurant massacre in 2001, was a victim of jihadist hatred and barbarism. Jihadism will end in Israel (New York, Madrid, London, Bali) only after people first understand the scale on which it's happening. This war is killing us.”
And finally, PR considerations in The Battle of Jenin.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at February 26, 2008 10:51 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
" ... We too must fight these fifth columnists—if not with swords, than most certainly with fine screenplays and mobile cameras. ... "
how's this for a possible film:
a small group of people who have lived through the events that are falsely protrayed in Jenin, Jerusalem, and other areas,
see the propaganda films, and are shocked
they discuss what really happened, and the camera plays back the events as they remember it
they go to the the liberal academics and tell them their side of the story
with all the documentary factual support,
including all the modern fauxtography, as well as the MEMRI and CAMERA footage of the palestinian who was being carried to his funeral, and fell off, and promptly got back on the funeral stretcher again, and similar filmed events exposing the journalistic license
one by one,
the liberal academic makes some weak typical response which does not address the facts or answer the question
at the end,
the group discusses and the camera shows,
what happened because people believed the blood libels, the nazi propaganda, the faked death of the palestinian boy reported by french news, the jenin libels, and the raging islamic crowds worked up by the outright propaganda,
and then conclude with questions to the viewer
(as you said)
what would you think if someone denied slavery,
denied pearl harbor, denied 9-11, denied the armenian genocide, (and listed the many others which do not spring immediately to mind)
how would you feel?
what would you do?
the sources in this film are real,
everyone is invited to check them
where will you stand?
on the side of propaganda,
or on the side of truth ?!
if it could be made powerful enough,
it might have a very helpful effect
on the rational center,
and the not yet completely deranged liberal left
btw;
here is an interesting true story, although i don't have the source, other than a very close relative who saw the man and heard it directly from the people involved:
during the time preceding WWII there was someone from an Orthodox home, who had some falling out in his village, and left, and became completely non-observant, and filled with a hatred for anything Jewish,
when the nazis began their propaganda,
it wasn't very convincing,
until at some point, they met this renegade, who knew enough of Jewish life and customs, to supply threads of authenticity, around which the propangadists wove their lies
after the war, when this Jew found out about the horrors of the holocaust, he felt overwhelming guilt and remorse, but didn't know what to do
he traveled to Israel, and sought an audience with a well known Rebbe who survived the Holocaust
upon hearing the person's name, the Rebbe spat,
and refused to see him, and the Gabbai told this to the Jew.
the Jew sat down on the floor in front of the entrance to the Rabbi's court, and said:
"If so, then I have nothing left to live for. I will not move from here until I am carried away dead, or until the Rebbe sees me."
days passed,
the Jew fasted and remained in his spot,
finally the Rebbe told him to be brought in.
the Rebbe told him that for the rest of his life, he is not to speak to anyone,
and that he should say Kaddish continuously for all those who perished
in the 1970's, this Jew was pointed out, to my relative, by someone in that Israeli town, who said,
"See that elderly sad-looking Jew who never speaks, this is his story ... "
maybe anti-Propaganda films could help in rectifying his Soul, as well as others like him throughout the ages,
if done with that intent by those alive today who are capable of doing so
may G-D have mercy
Posted by: exdemexlib at February 26, 2008 02:22 PM
The American Library Association's basis for opposing "censorship" are based on ideology, not principle.
It considers as worthy of alarm, the mere questioning of whether a title properly belongs in a library collection, something it calls "challenging."
According to the ALA no standard whatsoever applies (or none apply with force) to whether a title belongs in a collection - nothing beyond the fact that the title exists. The ALA characterizes insistence that aesthetic, technical or moral standards can be a basis on which to discriminate against certain titles as odious and dangerous.
The ALA advertises (if not in fact the source of) its most permissive standards through a so-called "Libary Bill of Rights." Anything goes, including goes out the door and down the drain.
Posted by: Jeremiah at February 26, 2008 02:35 PM
These heroic, self-sacrificing soldiers were and are terribly ill-served by their government, who for a few short-lived international brownie points placed them in mortal peril.
Posted by: kishke at February 26, 2008 05:20 PM
Exdem:
The best software program for writing screenplays is called Final Draft. That's the program that we all use out here in La-La land. Get it.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 26, 2008 07:19 PM
Jeremiah:
I despair when I cruise my library shelves. Tons of books that libel Israel. And this in a Jewish neighborhood. Sometimes I take the books and bury them in the wrong stacks. Especially the filth written by wretched Norman Finkelstien.
Who orders these books?
Why?
Would they order books written by the Grand Dragon of the KKK?
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 26, 2008 07:25 PM
Kishke:
I have never understood the decision to send in ground troops to Jenin, except as a misguided PR stunt.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 26, 2008 07:29 PM
A PR stunt that betrays the leadership's lack of concern for Jewish lives.
Posted by: kishke at February 26, 2008 08:47 PM
Fine scrrenplays. Yes. The movies I remember best do touch a deep chord in my soul with good vs. evil universal themes.
The despicable pro-terror movies you mention will continue to be made, unfortunately. These lefties have far more money behind them (Soros, Cuban, far left foundations) than we on the right, they have made the long march through our institutions: universities, Hollywood, media, etc. Communism: the gift that keeps on giving!
We must fight this in our homes, teaching our children, protecting them from the corrosive pop culture as much as possible (turn off the TV!), support our churches and synagogues, support worthy groups/causes (i.e. David Horowitz' Center for Popular Culture), vote, speak up when someone you know makes asenine remarks. It is empowering!
Writers, keep doing what you do best, blogging, educating us on movies/books such as Jenin, but above all, please do write the stories/ screenplays which will entertain and inform us. You are just as much soldiers in this terrible "war on terror" as the young patriots who strap on a gun. Good propaganda is much more important than bad.
Posted by: Conan O'Lenoman at February 26, 2008 09:02 PM
Today's post, "Movies as Moral Landscape", is a fine analysis of how the "entertainment" industry effects us all. The question is, why are we "kvetching"? Let's approach some sharp independent producer (like Mel Gibson, for example) to make a pro-american "John Wayne" type of film about the Iraqi/Afgani War? If it is done well enough, I'm sure the silent majority will flock to see it and make it a huge success.
Posted by: Joel at February 27, 2008 07:00 AM
Seven Samurai is the best movie, ever.
The solution is simple. Simply decide you want to take another look at the movie "Jenin, Jenin." Maybe it's not that bad, after all. Then, "lose" it. Oops.
Posted by: Diyah at February 27, 2008 08:23 AM
Conan:
Well said. Nothing to add, but, there is a flourishing Conservative movement here in Hollywood led by the Liberty Film Festival. Check out Libertas:
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 27, 2008 08:58 AM
Joel:
Some of us are trying. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 27, 2008 09:02 AM
Diyah:
I'm waaaaay too honest to pull such an "oops."
Well, gotta bounce to the library, got an itch to see Jenin, Jenin——again.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 27, 2008 09:05 AM
" ... Seven Samurai is the best movie, ever.
The solution is simple. Simply decide you want to take another look at the movie "Jenin, Jenin." Maybe it's not that bad, after all. Then, "lose" it. Oops... "
careful ... ;-)
for any of you who are sci-fi fans,
here is what happened when the honorable Minbari
"lost it" ...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120711/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_5:_In_the_Beginning
and if you actually want to see it [again ;-) ]
http://video.aol.com/video/tv-babylon-5-in-the-beginning/1899658
(for those who are unfamiliar with B-5
the Minbari are sort of a combination of Samurai/Zen Priests/Cool Aliens )
the scriptwriter, J. Michael Straczynski
is excellent, funny, and reasonably approachable
Posted by: exdemexlib at February 27, 2008 10:39 AM
The only positive aspect of the many anti-Israel titles is that it is proof of what happens when community standards are loosened or forsaken. A negative argument in favor of them.
Posted by: Jeremiah at February 27, 2008 01:33 PM
Movies and there impact on society are very interesting. I might even say that films have chenged the way we live and think.
However, reality is a true barometer of our society and not the films produced in mass for mainly economic gain.
Todays 'reality' check:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3512047,00.html
Posted by: Gregg at February 27, 2008 05:24 PM
Mr. Avrech it seems clear to me that the men who ran Hollywood in WWII, being up-from-nothing deeply assimilated Jews, understood clearly what middle America was and wanted to see. The way Siegel and Schuster understood, or Bob Kane, or Stan Lee or Jack Kirby.
Once even, Steven Spielberg understood the average American. He used to be one of us, after all.
Yet ... the deep social isolation, second-third generation inheritance of Hollywood position, the bubble that protects and insulates Hollywood types leaves them totally unable to understand Joe Average and his inherent like for Israel (see how in the Republican debate Huckabee hat to reassure his supporters on that point). Because Israel is the Western, average good-guy and the Arab street the guys who burn the flag and yell Death to America! while blowing us up, holding our diplomats hostage, etc. Not hard to understand. The same fight, on the same side.
But just as Bill Clinton's 8 years in the White House followed by 8 more at Davos, eroded his ability to connect to ordinary people (which used to be remarkable) ... so too has Hollywood been eroded into sterile elitism.
The Jihad against Israel of course is not aimed just at Jews or Israelis. I am neither, yet I am at risk when I fly. Or step into a skyscraper. I am told my traditions: Piglet, Christmas, Thanksgiving, ham, Miss Piggy, "Merry Christmas" and such are deeply offensive to Muslims and so must go. Meanwhile I must make accommodations to Eid and Ramadan.
Posted by: Jim Rockford at February 27, 2008 06:04 PM
If you can get a hold of it, I'd recommend this excellent book:
http://www.amazon.com/A-Psalm-in-Jenin/dp/9657141036/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204218143&sr=8-1
A Psalm in Jenin -- It's a first-hand account written by one of the Israeli soldiers who fought in that operation. You will be amazed at the contrast between how the event was reported and what you'll read in this book.
Posted by: michael at February 28, 2008 09:04 AM
Jim:
You are quite right, jihad is most loudly proclaimed against Jews because the Muslims understand that the Europeans see Israel, the Jewish State, as expendable. But right now in Egypt, Coptic Christians are being horribly persecuted, and in Gaza the 3,000 Christians who remain are under pressure to convert, die, or leave. The jihadists are less vocal about their war against the Crusader, Christians, because they don't want to alarm too many people as they colonize Europe. But yes, you too are marked for annihilation. We're just the canary in the coal mine of civilization, always have been.
Always good to hear from you, Jim. Really miss your series.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at February 28, 2008 03:22 PM