Sunday, September 11, 2005
The 'Dr Feelgood' Unintentionally Hilarious Quote Of The Year Award Goes To . . .
Jonathan McIntosh for his work 'Willy Wonka & The Racism Factory.' Here are just some of the choicest quotes:
'They [Oompa-Loompas] are portrayed as unable to survive without the white Western world’s helping hand. Willy Wonka lulls his audience into quietly accepting this familiar and violent idea. In the process, Wonka becomes exalted as a white messiah to be revered and worshiped by the (literally) lesser brown people for having led them out of darkness and into enlightenment and happiness. . .'
' . . .While depicted as silly and adventurous, the right of the Western entrepreneur to take whatever “flavor” plant or animal he desires from developing countries is never questioned. It is just the kind of theft Western pharmaceuticals and agro-corporations have been engaged in throughout the developing world over the centuries. . .'
'. . .Later they are shown "happily" imprisoned inside Wonka's factory, which they conveniently cannot leave because they will be subject to chilly weather and die. The Oompa-Loompas also "willingly" allow themselves to be experimented on, much like laboratory animals, by Wonka as he tests his new, and sometimes dangerous, candy concoctions. Clearly, Wonka has not taken the time to explain the ins-and-outs of unionizing or worker health compensation to his imprisoned work force. . .'
'. . .Moreover, the Oompa-Loompas all look exactly alike, as they are played by one actor using composite visual effects. This is a new invention by the current film's creators. The visual effect is ironic, as it displays the problems at the very core of global labor issues: white populations perceive individuals of non-white populations as identical, lacking individual dignity. In this view, factory and sweatshop workers are ascribed no individual worth outside of the product they produce for consumers at low pay and in poor working conditions, unable to organize, form unions and improve conditions. . .'
'. . .In the context of the present political landscape, one cannot help but draw disturbing parallels between the fabled chocolate factory and US foreign policy in the Middle East.'
There's more, but I'm already in stitches. I just can't go on. Oh, by the way, for the record, the film is excellent, Tim Burton back on top form, and the only slight problem with it is the narrative decision to have just one parent per child, a step away from the book. I can see why they've done it, in order to cut down on confusion, but it just seemed slightly regrettable to me. I'm nitpicking, however, and I would thoroughly recommend it for both kids and adults alike, no matter whether Wonka has 'taken the time to explain the ins-and-outs of unionizing or worker health compensation to his imprisoned work force.'
Willy Wonka and his sadistic group of white colonists continue in the savage tradition of oppressing the much maligned Oompa-Loompa race . . . Or, alternatively, a magnificent film from Tim Burton?
(via Semiskimmed)
'They [Oompa-Loompas] are portrayed as unable to survive without the white Western world’s helping hand. Willy Wonka lulls his audience into quietly accepting this familiar and violent idea. In the process, Wonka becomes exalted as a white messiah to be revered and worshiped by the (literally) lesser brown people for having led them out of darkness and into enlightenment and happiness. . .'
' . . .While depicted as silly and adventurous, the right of the Western entrepreneur to take whatever “flavor” plant or animal he desires from developing countries is never questioned. It is just the kind of theft Western pharmaceuticals and agro-corporations have been engaged in throughout the developing world over the centuries. . .'
'. . .Later they are shown "happily" imprisoned inside Wonka's factory, which they conveniently cannot leave because they will be subject to chilly weather and die. The Oompa-Loompas also "willingly" allow themselves to be experimented on, much like laboratory animals, by Wonka as he tests his new, and sometimes dangerous, candy concoctions. Clearly, Wonka has not taken the time to explain the ins-and-outs of unionizing or worker health compensation to his imprisoned work force. . .'
'. . .Moreover, the Oompa-Loompas all look exactly alike, as they are played by one actor using composite visual effects. This is a new invention by the current film's creators. The visual effect is ironic, as it displays the problems at the very core of global labor issues: white populations perceive individuals of non-white populations as identical, lacking individual dignity. In this view, factory and sweatshop workers are ascribed no individual worth outside of the product they produce for consumers at low pay and in poor working conditions, unable to organize, form unions and improve conditions. . .'
'. . .In the context of the present political landscape, one cannot help but draw disturbing parallels between the fabled chocolate factory and US foreign policy in the Middle East.'
There's more, but I'm already in stitches. I just can't go on. Oh, by the way, for the record, the film is excellent, Tim Burton back on top form, and the only slight problem with it is the narrative decision to have just one parent per child, a step away from the book. I can see why they've done it, in order to cut down on confusion, but it just seemed slightly regrettable to me. I'm nitpicking, however, and I would thoroughly recommend it for both kids and adults alike, no matter whether Wonka has 'taken the time to explain the ins-and-outs of unionizing or worker health compensation to his imprisoned work force.'
Willy Wonka and his sadistic group of white colonists continue in the savage tradition of oppressing the much maligned Oompa-Loompa race . . . Or, alternatively, a magnificent film from Tim Burton?
(via Semiskimmed)
Comments:
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Jesus Christ! Is that real or is this some sort of elaborate prank. If you ever found yorself even slightly seeing things that way you'd be straight to the doctor for help.
# posted by 
: 10:11 pm
: 10:11 pm
I reckon he's only one step away from talking about postmodernism, postcolonialism and any other fashionable 'ism' he can find.
You're abslutely right, if I ever found myself thinking even remotely like this I'd be on the blower to the shrink faster than you can say 'unionising worker health compenation.'
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You're abslutely right, if I ever found myself thinking even remotely like this I'd be on the blower to the shrink faster than you can say 'unionising worker health compenation.'
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