The sin here is not so much the left-wing politics as it is the potentially heavy-handed storytelling. What sounds like a fascinating concept — a fascinating device to explore the human condition — is seemingly going to be intruded upon by a stupidly divisive enviro-message.
Via Reuters:
“We all know we’re going to die every moment of every day,” [director Abel Ferrara] told reporters after a press screening of the movie in Venice. “What you do in the meantime is what life is all about.”News footage, including a real interview by environmental campaigner and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, makes clear that the cause of Earth’s demise is man-made.
“This film is about man’s destruction of the Earth,” Ferrara said.
“It’s on us. It’s our responsibility. We did it. This isn’t an accident, or an act of God as they say in the insurance claim. This is an act of man.
“That’s a nightmare. That’s part of the anguish. There’s a lot more further advanced civilizations than ours that have bit the dust … it’s not like: ‘Oh my God, this could never happen’.” …
Asked whether Gore was officially attached to the film, the director said he had “reached out” to the former U.S. vice president and that he was “definitely pro,” although he had not seen it.
Ferrara is responsible for two of my favorite films of the ’90s: “Bad Lieutenant” and “King of New York.” Twenty years later, both still resonate thanks to two amazing central performances that bring to life complicated characters living in Ferrara’s thematically-driven world. Because of the explicit subject matter, these aren’t films I would recommend to everyone, but if you want to learn how to deliver a compelling character study to the screen, you won’t find better examples. The key to their success, however, is the word “theme.” There’s no agenda at work, nothing preachy, no divisive message. Of all directors, you would think Ferrara would know better.
When you create a fantasy world where Al Gore’s nonsense, lies and hypocrisy are proven correct, how does that add to your story?
When it comes to similar movies, there was nothing partisan or political about “On the Beach.” The scenario there was a very real possibility in a world of mutual assured destruction. As far as a more recent example, “The Road” did this exactly right. We had no idea what caused the end of the world. You filled in your own blank, you brought your own worldview to the story and in turn the story both fulfilled and challenged that view. Even the openly liberal 1983 television film “The Day After” was wise enough to avoid laying blame for nuclear Armageddon on anyone.
Ferrara’s central idea fascinates me. People dealing with that kind of inevitable is a terrific concept and character device. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no desire to live through the sucker punch of a childish and phony “told ya so” from Al Gore.
Not because it’s liberal, but because it reeks of lousy storytelling.
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