Thursday, November 27, 2014

Exodus: Gods and Kings

I'm eagerly anticipating this new movie under Ridley Scott's direction set to open Dec. 12. I've been seeing previews for the last 2 months and it looks to be a cinematic masterpiece as well as blockbuster. Especially with Christian Bale as Moses under Scott's direction. The cinematography and CGI look astounding from the previews. And the chemistry between Bale's Moses and Joel Edgerton's Ramses looks fiercely intense.

It's also a good metaphor for today's saga of wage slavery, with Senator Warren leading the masses out of Egypt (poverty) against the indomitable will of the 1% played by Charles Koch. This IPS thread will serve as discussion prior to the film's release, as well as commentary after we've seen it.


I just read this preview discussing Scott's comments on the casting. Seems some are upset because the two main characters are played by white guys, while those of color are relegated to the roles of slaves, thieves or servants. The criticism highlights the apparent hypocrisy of telling a story about the liberation of slaves while engaging in "cinematic colonialism," thus unconsciously participating in the depiction of a white, Euro-centric dominated culture as rescuing those ignorant Egyptians from their inferior culture.

Scott meanwhile said he would never have gotten the financing for this huge venture without the giant star quality of Bale to ensure returns at the box office. Not sure that applies equally to Edgerton, but there are other big white names like Aaron Paul (from Breaking Bad) and Sigourney Weaver. But again, my devaluation of Edgerton's star power are also indicative of my own colonialism and favoritism for American actors.

Anyway... please discuss.

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