STOP DIGGING!!!
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE MOVIE "ANTZ" (1998)?!?!?!
it stars woody allen(s voice)!!!!!
and i can't help but notice the overwhelming social and politcal commentary. the movie shows the dangers of both a monarchy AND a military dictatorship. these two forms of government are obvious choices for negativity especially in the united states. however, there is a hint of anti-communism as well. there is (to an extent) a certain division of labor i.e. the "queen" is merely a baby factory who lives a life that is nothing but glamorous, soldiers battle against threatening pests and "workers" hammer away building tunnels. one would think this distribution of labor would be fair in theory. however, a corrupt world-view creates a class schism based purely on socio-economic labor standing. the "workers" are treated as third-class citizens while the soldiers and "royalty" exploit them for their dependencies upon their production. they become obsessed with bigger colonies and making a "fresh start" that they become an insect version of the bourgeuosie. they are dependent upon their worker ants, however these laborers are completely unaware of their power...and that's just how the other half likes it.
there is an anti-individualistic attitude even among the workers which suggests the evils of communism in a 1950's 'red scare' fashion.
however, the overall message of the film remains ambiguous. we know monarchies are weak as theirs was so easily taken over by a powerful general ant and such a dictatorship leads to corrupt rule and eventual ehtnic cleansing a la holocaust (the dictator general attempted to drown every single worker ant in order to make a "fresh start" by cleaning the colony of it's 'weaker elements').
yet, is it really anti-communist? does it show communism's potential flaws??
the answer is both yes AND NO. sure it shows how difficult it is to divide labor in a fair manner WHILE keeping all citizens happy. yet, the film's vision of "insectopia" turns out to be one full of food and relaxed and free-thinking insects WHO EQUALLY DIVIDE LABOR.
in conclusion-if the labor is for the betterment of everyone without argument, then the labor can be fairly divided. this labor, as depicted in ANTZ is putting more wood in the fire to keep it going. the perversion and expoloitation comes in when there is a need for too much progress too quickly and only to the betterment of a select few. mass majority is STILL IMPORTANT although this film seems to push the THINK FOR YOURSELF mantra...this is good too i suppose.
there seems to be a reconciliation between a search for selfless service to the betterment of society and HUMANISM. the whole this is pretty rennaissance for a Disney Pixar movie...
it stars woody allen(s voice)!!!!!
and i can't help but notice the overwhelming social and politcal commentary. the movie shows the dangers of both a monarchy AND a military dictatorship. these two forms of government are obvious choices for negativity especially in the united states. however, there is a hint of anti-communism as well. there is (to an extent) a certain division of labor i.e. the "queen" is merely a baby factory who lives a life that is nothing but glamorous, soldiers battle against threatening pests and "workers" hammer away building tunnels. one would think this distribution of labor would be fair in theory. however, a corrupt world-view creates a class schism based purely on socio-economic labor standing. the "workers" are treated as third-class citizens while the soldiers and "royalty" exploit them for their dependencies upon their production. they become obsessed with bigger colonies and making a "fresh start" that they become an insect version of the bourgeuosie. they are dependent upon their worker ants, however these laborers are completely unaware of their power...and that's just how the other half likes it.
there is an anti-individualistic attitude even among the workers which suggests the evils of communism in a 1950's 'red scare' fashion.
however, the overall message of the film remains ambiguous. we know monarchies are weak as theirs was so easily taken over by a powerful general ant and such a dictatorship leads to corrupt rule and eventual ehtnic cleansing a la holocaust (the dictator general attempted to drown every single worker ant in order to make a "fresh start" by cleaning the colony of it's 'weaker elements').
yet, is it really anti-communist? does it show communism's potential flaws??
the answer is both yes AND NO. sure it shows how difficult it is to divide labor in a fair manner WHILE keeping all citizens happy. yet, the film's vision of "insectopia" turns out to be one full of food and relaxed and free-thinking insects WHO EQUALLY DIVIDE LABOR.
in conclusion-if the labor is for the betterment of everyone without argument, then the labor can be fairly divided. this labor, as depicted in ANTZ is putting more wood in the fire to keep it going. the perversion and expoloitation comes in when there is a need for too much progress too quickly and only to the betterment of a select few. mass majority is STILL IMPORTANT although this film seems to push the THINK FOR YOURSELF mantra...this is good too i suppose.
there seems to be a reconciliation between a search for selfless service to the betterment of society and HUMANISM. the whole this is pretty rennaissance for a Disney Pixar movie...