The Movie Is The Message

Everyone's wild about 300.

I have a friend who's been obsessed since she read the graphic novel, and whose love for the story easily blinds her to the fact that it is a sensationalized, racist portrayal of good versus evil. But when isn't it?

I saw the trailer for this film about 6 months ago and knew that I could never see this film. I'm sure it's good, but I can't sit through a movie whose fundamental message is one that I disagree with on every level, and whose role is to promote a white- and Western-centric representation of historical events.

In every culture, light and dark, good and bad, are set in opposition to each other - battling for supremacy and the ownership of souls, or hearts or land, or whatever they're after.

Frank Miller dramatized this epic, ongoing human battle beautifully. He deserves the accolades for an intricately, opulently told version of this age-old tale.

But I must question the choices of the producers and the studio to put out this movie now. There are strong messages - far less universal and ancient - reflected in the visual imagery of this film. They are effective, timely and controversial. And these are probably all the reasons why this movie was made and released at this time in the world's history.

The unfortunate part is that it can not be accompanied by a warning label, or even an open mind. The message will be absorbed and interpreted by each individual who enters that theater in a different way - some of whom will see this as further evidence justifying the pro-Western crusade launched and lead by the Bush administration since 911.

After all "THIS is Sparta!"

Much of the North American Iranian community is understandably enraged by this portayal of Persian culture. And they should be, especially at a time when tensions between the US and Iran are high.

What the current US administration believes is that we are the only country with an inherent right to sovereignty. But if you're from Iran, not only is this laughable, but it is juvenile, arrogant and incredibly short-sighted. Persia was born, lived and passed into new forms before the US existed as a self-recognized entity.

We lost an opportunity to enter a new age of global cooperation and shared perspective after 911 when we invaded Iraq. Since then, we have done everything to further alienate and ostracize other countries, especially those whose good will could have helped us achieve a real sense of justice. Namely, capturing, trying and convicting Osama Bin Laden (or whoever was in charge) of responsibility for the 911 plot and the killing of innocent people.

Instead we chose to enter an era of self-righteousness and isolationist cultural and political ideals. Even for conservatives, or Republicans, this is exactly counter to the founding principles of this country, and does absolutely nothing to further our credibility and our cause - that is, if our cause really is (or ever was) to bring enlightenment, empowerment and the liberty to exercise it to more of the world.

I believe in that. How do we make it happen?