The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Film Violence

This is an important example that you want to commit to memory as it is very useful for a wide variety of questions. In case u are still in some state of limbo, recognise that last tue, on the anniversary of 9/11, a protest erupted in many Arab nations over an anti-muslim film made in the US and circulated on youtube. the US Ambassador to libya was killed in the process when the protestors stormed the US Consulate.
a) doesnt this eerily recall salman rushdie's novel 'the satanic verses' -- a book he wrote which angered the muslim world, earning him a price tag on his head, upon which he had to go into hiding.
b) Doesnt this also echo the prophet mohammed's cartoons by this danish cartoonist in 2007, which also earned him the wrath of the muslim world, leading to protests arcoss many countries, resulting in some deaths and a price tag on his head...think he also went into hiding. for details, check out an earlier post on this in my blog. if cant find, email me and i will send u the link. the cartoons featured the prophet's head attached to a dog's body. there's a series of this comic strip; another one shows the prophet wearing a turban that's actually a bomb.
c) dont miss out on the irony here also...Libya was liberated from the tyranny and oppression of its dictatorship govt with the help of the US/UN. For a while, it was seen as a shining example of how foreign intervention into the domestic affairs of other countries is necessary, esp after the mess created by  US in Iraq. but the latest turn of events shows that things are getting messy in libya, and that a fairytale ending is no guarantee. On the contrary, libya is becoming like iraq, which already has the dubious label of being the 'second vietnam' -- all three are testament to the mess created by foreign intervention into the domestic affairs of other countries. in a nutshell, it doesnt pay to be a kaypoh!

How can we use this latest example:
1) censorship and media's power and technology
2) violence
3) freedom of speech/expression/rights
4) art
5) democracy
6) religion

Sample questions
To what extent should the international community interfere in the affairs of another country?
Consider the view that efficient government is more important than democracy. (Cambridge 2011)
Can prejudice ever be eliminated? (Cambridge 2011)
How important is play in your society. (SRJC Prelim 2012)
Consider the view that artists should be given absolute freedom. (SRJC Prelim 2012)
How far should the government limit creativity in your society? (CJC Prelim 2012)
Would you agree that the media hold too much power in the world today? (CJC Prelim 2012)
The success of social media is also its problem. (VJC Prelims 2012)