Mrs M
yoda76PENGUINS PERPETRATE PROPAGANDA: HAPPY FEET - GREEN FEET?
February 5th 2007 02:27
Following on from Cibbuano’s post An Inconvenient Truth pulled from class by angry parents (20/20 Filmsight); it appears that this is not the only film that parents have found objectionable.
Mr M found this video on You Tube which features American media commentators/personalities (I’m an Aussie; I don’t know who they are) discussing how unhappy they are with George Miller and his propaganda messages that feature in Happy Feet.
Yes folks, Happy Feet - the animated movie about penguins. One media commentator in fact called Happy Feet “An Animated Inconvenient Truth”. This commentator did feature on the Fox Network; need I say more about Fox’s integrity to report unbiased objective news stories. But that is a whole other discussion – Damo (My Apologetics), if you please.
Another media commentator made mention that if George Miller wishes to use propaganda in his movie then that was fine; he just wanted to told about it first so he could make an informed decision on whether to take this children or not.
That is a fair request. But to this commentator I would say you are the parent. You have the means and the capability to find these things out. Ask questions. Visit websites and read reviews. Take some responsibility for yourself.
Here is Australia there is a website Young Media Australia (www.youngmedia.org.au) which currently features over 280 movie reviews. And these reviews are very thorough. This website is dedicated to informing parents about the effect that media, in all its forms, has on children from babies through to teenagers.
Now I haven’t seen this movie, but Mr M did take our 5 and 3 year old children to see it. In fact I know of quite a few parents who have taken their children to see it and not one of these people mentioned anything about George Miller’s propaganda ways. I do not know if any of these children were adversely affected by the movie; I have not heard as such. What I do know is that my children thought it was great. Couple of scary moments, but it all turned out good in the end.
So what are these propaganda messages in the film? Without giving away too many spoilers, one of the story lines is that the fish in the Antarctic are becoming scarce henceforth the food supply for the penguins is diminishing fast. Why? Because man is taking all the fish for himself. Bad, bad man.
That story line is very simple and linear. Is it a “loaded” storyline? Perhaps. Perhaps it is just the adult’s perspective that makes it loaded.
As adults, there are all sorts of thoughts and conclusions rushing through our minds because we have at least 20 years on our kids and we are a little more aware of the goings on around us. We are aware of man’s abuse of the planet, global warming, endangered species, economic growth/greed and the like.
I asked my 5 year old daughter what was happening in the movie about the fish. And she explained it much as I explained it to you above; without the bad, bad man comment though.
I asked her what did she thought could or might happen to help the penguins. She simply said “Leave some fish for the penguins to eat”. And off she went. It seemed like a simple solution to her. She didn’t think twice about this movie. It had a happy ending and that’s all she cared about. She loved the dancing and the songs. She can’t even say “environmental issue” let alone be worried about the state of the world. Not yet. But she will be eventually.
In my household we recycle diligently. My daughter and my 3 year old son know to look for the little triangle on packaging to know if it can be recycled. My daughter asked me why we recycle and I tried to explain it to her in terms she might understand but she couldn’t grasp the concept. She just knows, understands and appreciates that we should. My 3 year old hasn’t even thought to ask. He just does it because it is what we do.
The point I’m trying to make is that children will draw their own conclusions to things they don’t entirely understand. They, just like adults, will use what information they have to comprehend what is going on around them. And kids have a knack of filling in the blanks too. And if my kids are confused about something, they ask questions. I don’t think I’ve come across a kid who doesn’t ask questions.
But granted, it will have a detrimental affect if kids are given too much information too soon. But isn’t no information at all more dangerous? If kids were totally shielded from issues and then one day when they turn 15, 16 or 18 are bombarded with a massive amount of information won’t their brains just shut down from information overload?
So maybe George Miller did put in environmental messages in the movie deliberately? Is that negligent on his part? Is he responsible and/or answerable to parents for the content of his films? No. It is the parent's responsibility to find out what their children will be watching.
I for one am more than happy to discuss issues with my daughter. Slow release of information I believe is better than no information at all. I mean, would it be so bad if we left some fish for the penguins to eat?
I asked Mr M what he thought of it. “It’s a cautionary tale”, he said. “It shows what might happen if we don’t look after the planet. And if that is propaganda then Shrek is a documentary.”
Mr M found this video on You Tube which features American media commentators/personalities (I’m an Aussie; I don’t know who they are) discussing how unhappy they are with George Miller and his propaganda messages that feature in Happy Feet.
Yes folks, Happy Feet - the animated movie about penguins. One media commentator in fact called Happy Feet “An Animated Inconvenient Truth”. This commentator did feature on the Fox Network; need I say more about Fox’s integrity to report unbiased objective news stories. But that is a whole other discussion – Damo (My Apologetics), if you please.
Another media commentator made mention that if George Miller wishes to use propaganda in his movie then that was fine; he just wanted to told about it first so he could make an informed decision on whether to take this children or not.
That is a fair request. But to this commentator I would say you are the parent. You have the means and the capability to find these things out. Ask questions. Visit websites and read reviews. Take some responsibility for yourself.
Here is Australia there is a website Young Media Australia (www.youngmedia.org.au) which currently features over 280 movie reviews. And these reviews are very thorough. This website is dedicated to informing parents about the effect that media, in all its forms, has on children from babies through to teenagers.
Now I haven’t seen this movie, but Mr M did take our 5 and 3 year old children to see it. In fact I know of quite a few parents who have taken their children to see it and not one of these people mentioned anything about George Miller’s propaganda ways. I do not know if any of these children were adversely affected by the movie; I have not heard as such. What I do know is that my children thought it was great. Couple of scary moments, but it all turned out good in the end.
So what are these propaganda messages in the film? Without giving away too many spoilers, one of the story lines is that the fish in the Antarctic are becoming scarce henceforth the food supply for the penguins is diminishing fast. Why? Because man is taking all the fish for himself. Bad, bad man.
That story line is very simple and linear. Is it a “loaded” storyline? Perhaps. Perhaps it is just the adult’s perspective that makes it loaded.
As adults, there are all sorts of thoughts and conclusions rushing through our minds because we have at least 20 years on our kids and we are a little more aware of the goings on around us. We are aware of man’s abuse of the planet, global warming, endangered species, economic growth/greed and the like.
I asked my 5 year old daughter what was happening in the movie about the fish. And she explained it much as I explained it to you above; without the bad, bad man comment though.
I asked her what did she thought could or might happen to help the penguins. She simply said “Leave some fish for the penguins to eat”. And off she went. It seemed like a simple solution to her. She didn’t think twice about this movie. It had a happy ending and that’s all she cared about. She loved the dancing and the songs. She can’t even say “environmental issue” let alone be worried about the state of the world. Not yet. But she will be eventually.
In my household we recycle diligently. My daughter and my 3 year old son know to look for the little triangle on packaging to know if it can be recycled. My daughter asked me why we recycle and I tried to explain it to her in terms she might understand but she couldn’t grasp the concept. She just knows, understands and appreciates that we should. My 3 year old hasn’t even thought to ask. He just does it because it is what we do.
The point I’m trying to make is that children will draw their own conclusions to things they don’t entirely understand. They, just like adults, will use what information they have to comprehend what is going on around them. And kids have a knack of filling in the blanks too. And if my kids are confused about something, they ask questions. I don’t think I’ve come across a kid who doesn’t ask questions.
But granted, it will have a detrimental affect if kids are given too much information too soon. But isn’t no information at all more dangerous? If kids were totally shielded from issues and then one day when they turn 15, 16 or 18 are bombarded with a massive amount of information won’t their brains just shut down from information overload?
So maybe George Miller did put in environmental messages in the movie deliberately? Is that negligent on his part? Is he responsible and/or answerable to parents for the content of his films? No. It is the parent's responsibility to find out what their children will be watching.
I for one am more than happy to discuss issues with my daughter. Slow release of information I believe is better than no information at all. I mean, would it be so bad if we left some fish for the penguins to eat?
I asked Mr M what he thought of it. “It’s a cautionary tale”, he said. “It shows what might happen if we don’t look after the planet. And if that is propaganda then Shrek is a documentary.”
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Basically though I can't help but feel concerned that raising environmental issues in a children's film in a very basic way, is considered so insidious is a cause for concern.
I heard that they made a version of Fox News in England, but replaced all the characters with English actors - called The Office... is this true?
Comment by Damo
Yep we worry too much about things that we should not.
Passion of Christ will start the 4th Reich.
Harry Potter teaches witchcraft.
Nardia is Christian indoctrination
Inconvenient Truth will Rot Your Brain.
Mad Max is Right Wing propaganda (a Miller film?)
Happy Feet is Left Wing propaganda(also a Miller film)
I am so confused I don't what to think.
That is why we must let everyone else think for us.
Have you ever seen The Trail of Billy Jack? It was considered a very dangerous film one because it may encourage anarky. Instead it was just a boring preachy film about boring preachy hippies until Billy Jack took his boots off and opened a can of whoopass.
I just saw 'V for Vendeta' on DVD and if it did not confuse the willies out of any would be revolutionary nothing would.
Dangerous movies come and go but as my kids say Captn Planet sucks. Somewhere the all-so-important message was lost.
Ps: I don't totally hate Fox. I like Bender.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I have to wonder how far left, extinction truly is? Maybe it's better to wait until it's old history and then we can teach it to the next generation in our schools... yep, that's sense from the superior race, isn't it?
This left me wondering about those Saturday morning Music Videos of young people practically making out on the screen ...
I have to wonder where the environmental issue came into it? I didn't see any reference to environmental disaster ... I saw a matter of distinction, of 'fitting in' when you are different, of cruel fishing techniques... nuh-ha, nothing about global warming...?
Maybe I missed all that, I'm sure my kids did!
As to Walrusus being a subliminal message... gee, don't they hunt penguins anymore?
As for kids, sure they must be dumb...
My opinion,
Pathetic and American - I pray Australia learns to think for itself soon ... end result, It will probably only boost the DVD sales [and everyone should see it and make up their own minds!]
*the ignorance makes me shiver*
Good One Mr and Mrs M...
Lilla
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Oh my word did you 'Arthur and the Invisibles' too? Next thing the kids will be believing in little creatures living at the bottom of the garden and buried treasure in their backyard.
I know let`s start a petition to ban the imaginations of future generations...let`s get rid of the cartoons and just start them on, oh I don`t know, maybe a little 'American History X' and 'Schindlers LIst' when they start preschool - they can work their way up from there.....
It is a cartoon full of cute little creatures, some great music, loads of laughs and it has a little message in it, as fairytales over the centuries have, big deal. Let the kids be kids and the adults and be adults. Good post Mrs M.....hope you won`t be buying the DVD though, tsk tsk
ash
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
What is he talking about 'as a parent', as a parent you should look into it before sitting through it, if you are that concerned, sheesh.
I hatre neo-cons
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
I'm going to pretend you didn't just insult the good Captain...
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Irrational, insufferable, illogical, inane, indefensible, idiotic, ignoramus, incongruous, indecent, inimical, insane.
Hi Brenton,
Are you talking about The Office with Ricky Gervais?
Have you seen the movie? From what I understand, just like you said, issues raised in a very basic manner. What the hell is wrong with that? It's not like it's a fabricated story. Take the fish away, the penguins will die.
Sarcastic comments are welcome. Mean spirited comments are not.
Hi Damo,
Glad you read the post. I couldn't think of anyone else who would objectively discuss how unobjective Fox is better than you.
Max Mad a right wing movie? I can see that
Haven't seen The Trail of Billy Track or V for Vendetta. That movie looks like it would do my head in. I need a bit more sleep before I tackle that one.
For the record, Captain Planet does not suck.
Hi Lilla,
I knew this would get you going. Mr M made the same point as you. Nowhere in the movie does "global warming" get mentioned. And yes, extinction really is a leftist ideological argument isn't it.?
Like you Lilla, the ignorance makes me shiver. Actually it makes me mad.
Hi Ash,
It is ridiculous isn't it? Can't these people see that they're the ones ruining it for kids? Not the movie makers. Ignoramus'
Hi Ahmed,
LOL about Hitler. The Fox network taking issue with propaganda is irony at its greatest.
Thanks everyone for the visit and great comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
Unfortunately, we do have these fringe nutters who have SO much time on their hands they find time to complain about cartoons, T-shirts, Christmas decorations, etc.
Having read the original and seen the movie for V for Vendetta, I very highly recommend the original graphic novel.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Thanks for the recommendation re V for Vendetta. I try to read the novels before I watch the film but it doesn't always happen that way.
I've still haven't watched Patriot Games or The Hunt for Red October because I haven't read the books yet. Why? Because they're so damn long
Thanks for the visit and the comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Damo
I have read so many Tom Clancy novels that they are coming out my ears. Terrible writing style and brain dead plots but easy to read on a train.
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I've had The Hunt For Red October and Patriot Games sitting on my bookshelf for over 10 years. Should I just toss them away and watch the movies and get it over and done with?
Is that what you are both saying?
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
Yes and no. The movie adaptation of Red October was well-done enough that you can easily follow the story even if you've never read the book. Patriot Games strayed somewhat from the plot of the novel- yet I think it would be somewhat harder to follow if you didn't know the story already.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
How ridiculous is his proposition! Fox News makes me angry. They shouldn't be able to actually call it 'news'.
Morons. God forbid we teach our kids about environmental responsiblity in a friendly fashion!
ggrrrrrr
Kylie
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I agree with you. Fox News is bad and it pisses me off.
These are your issues Fox. Your guilt.
I can't stand the way they try to come off as being concerned for others and the children. The children don't have a clue.
Love & stuff
Mrs M