Freaks
I have been told that the 'freaks' were very happy about this movie and their work being banned. From my point of view, the ban probably hurt them in the short run, but I think that it helped the image of 'freaks' in the long run.
The whole 'freaks in the mud' scene was a little deconstructive for the image of freaks (do I need to apologize for calling them this?). I can't see a group of normal people doing this in a 1930's film.
While writing this I felt very uncomfortable using these terms. What does that say about the PC achievements of this film?
posted by Ivory @ 6:00 PM
2 Comments:
"I am no psychiatrist, but having people, gawk and leer at one is unhealthy. It can slowly destroy one’s self-worth."
What does that say about people who choose careers in show-business or, probably more meaningfully, strippers or exotic dancers. I mean, people watch them constantly. Granted it's because they are viewed as attractive, but do you still consider that unhealthy?
I'd just like to mention that calling the people in the movie was not a good thing. The only time they were ever called that was by the trapeze artist at the wedding as a sign to show that she was most definately not one of them. Whatever the result of the movie, the attempt by the filmmakers was to show that these people were not freaks and not deserving of the name despite our unfortunate using of the term when we talk about it. The best scenes which display the concept that we are all the same are in the very nice moments between the Venus and Frieda.
Perhaps, however, the film failed and became a freak show itself. Certainly we've been using the term freak to differentiate when we discuss the film even if we do so blushing.
Post a Comment
<< Home