• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Film
  • DVD
  • Editorial
  • About ScreenFish

ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • News
  • OtherFish
  • Podcast
  • Give

controversy

A Whale of A Tale – Rebuttal to an Oscar Winner

August 17, 2018 by Darrel Manson Leave a Comment

In 2010 The Cove won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It showed in somewhat graphic detail the hunting and capturing of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. It stirred outrage in many viewers that such things could go on. But as is almost always the case, there is another side to this story. A Whale of a Tale from documentarian Megumi Sasaki shows a much different picture of the fishing village of Taiji and the issues around the dolphin hunting that takes place there.

The film looks at the continuing protests taking place in Taiji from a variety of perspectives including local whalers, the town’s mayor, some of the protestors with Sea Shepherd, and (perhaps most informative for a western audience) an American journalist who has lived in Japan for many years.

It should be noted that there is something of a cultural divide when it comes to the idea of dolphins. While many Americans see them as cute and love to see them in dolphin shows (although the protesters in the film object to such practices), for Japanese they have been a source of food for hundreds of years. Early in the film we get a sampling of how some Japanese responded to The Cove: “Western world Twisted view of Japan’s food culture,” “No one can tell Japan what it can eat,” and “It’s wrong for outsiders to come and try to destroy our history and culture. They should leave us alone. They shouldn’t meddle in our culture.” It is of some note that some of those objecting to such western “meddling” aren’t that fond of dolphin meat, but still believe their culture should be respected.

That is what makes Jay Alabaster such an important person in the film. As an AP journalist in Japan for nearly twenty years, he has both the western view and a deep understanding of Japanese culture. In the wake of The Cove, he moved to Taiji and spent time building trust among the residents there. He gives the film a perspective that is built on the relationships he has with both the fishermen and the protesters.

Whereas The Cove villainizes the fishermen, A Whale of a Tale gives us a very unflattering picture of the protesters. We see them as they verbally accost fishermen in ways that can only be categorized as harassment and bullying. They seem less interested in dialogue and understanding than intimidation. They don’t seem to be interested in any middle ground or compromise. They have a sense of moral superiority, but their actions give us pause in granting that to them.

For those who saw The Cove and perhaps even felt outrage at what that film portrayed as barbarism, A Whale of a Tale could well provide a balancing picture. It is a good reminder that the truth can be shaded in various ways. No doubt the issues involved in these two films need to have both sets of facts and perceptions available for us to consider what may or may not be the proper approach to Japan and whaling.

Photos courtesy of Fine Line Media

 

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: controversy, documentary, dolphins, Japan, Megumi Sasaki, whaling

3.20 Listening to 13 REASONS WHY…

May 21, 2017 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

http://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/3.20-13-Reasons-Why.mp3

In a very special episode of the show, Steve sits down with teens Savannah Roach, Daniel Collins, Brea Bowden and Mitch Macgowan to talk about Netflix’s controversial series, 13 REASONS WHY.  In an eye-opening conversation, they talk about their views on the show’s backlash, teen culture, parents, and ‘helping their Hannah’.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3.20 13 Reasons Why

Thanks so much to Mitch, Brea, Savannah and Daniel for joining the conversation this week!

Filed Under: Podcast, Television Tagged With: 13 Reasons Why, controversy, Netflix, rape, suicide, teen, teen drama

1on1 with Wm. Paul Young (author, THE SHACK)

March 3, 2017 by Steve Norton 3 Comments

http://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Paul-Young-author-The-Shack.mp3

Have you heard of The Shack?  Spending an incredible 70 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller lists, Wm. Paul Young’s The Shack is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon.  Upon the release of the official film adaptation on Friday, March 3rd, 2017, we had the opportunity to speak with the book’s author, Wm. Paul Young, to discuss forgiveness, healing and, yes, the controversy over the symbolism.

A VERY special thanks to Wm. Paul Young for joining us on the show!

Starring Sam Worthington and Octavia Spencer, The Shack is in theatres now.

 

Filed Under: Film, Interviews, Podcast Tagged With: adaptation, author, controversy, New York Times, Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington, The Shack, Trinity, Wm. Paul Young

3.2 Fighting for the BIRTH OF A NATION

October 11, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

birth-of-a-nation_0

 

http://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/3.2-Birth-of-a-Nation.mp3

This week, Chris Utley and ScreenFish newbie Peter Adourian join Steve to tackle Nate Parker’s controversial BIRTH OF A NATION.  In this episode, they tackle issues of race and gender politics, owning the truth and even whether we can separate art from the artists.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3-2-birth-of-the-nation

A special thanks to Chris Utley and Peter Adourian for joining us this week!

the-birht-of-a-nation-movie-nate-parker1

Filed Under: Film, Podcast, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Armie Hammer, Birth of the Nation, Black Lives Matter, controversy, Gabrielle Union, Nat Turner, Nate Parker, Oscars, race, Rebellion, TIFF

tiff16: THE BIRTH OF A NATION

September 16, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

birth-of-a-nation_0

Released at Sundance earlier this year, the film sparked a bidding war the likes of which the festival had never seen before (and eventually settled at Fox Searchlight for an amazing $17.5M, the highest in the festival’s history.  With a timely subject matter (especially in the heat of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy) and buzz-worthy visuals, Nate Parker’s film was already being viewed as a lock for an inevitable Best Picture win at the 2017 Oscars ceremony.

Of course, a lot has changed in since then.

With the reveal of Nate Parker’s acquittal from rape allegations in 1999 (and the victim’s subsequent suicide in 2012), THE BIRTH OF A NATION has seen the shine taken off predicted Oscar trophy.  Still trying to salvage an awards campaign for a film that has garnered buzz, Parker’s personal life keeps taking centre stage and overshadowing his work.  (In fact, the entire situation has sparked conversation about whether or not a film should be judged on it’s own merit or whether or not the lives of those associated with it are inextricably tied to its success or failure.)

Which begs the question:  Is the film good?

No.

It’s very good.

the-birht-of-a-nation-movie-nate-parker1

BIRTH OF A NATION tells the true story of Nat Turner, an enslaved Baptist preacher who lives on a Virginia plantation owned by Samuel Turner. With rumors of insurrection in the air, a cleric convinces Samuel that Nate should sermonize to other slaves, thereby quelling any notions of an uprising. As Nate witnesses the horrific treatment of his fellow man, he realizes that he can no longer just stand by and preach. On Aug. 21, 1831, Turner’s quest for justice and freedom leads to a violent and historic rebellion in Southampton County.

Bound to be divisive, NATION is a visceral experience which knows it’s objectives from the beginning of the film and drives there unapologetically.  Nate Parker shows considerable creativity visually for his first outing as director, balancing slave drama with almost dream-like metaphors.  His use of colour bleaches the southern landscapes in heat, revealing a hopeless landscape yet fire burns off the screen in its brightness.  Bound to be compared with 2013’s Best Picture Winner, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, NATION has a higher level of energy that builds its intensity.

maxresdefault1

While I also think it would be fair to say that most of the other characters lack the development of Turner himself, the film really is about one man’s journey from servant to leader.  The choice to emphasize the journey as opposed to the ensuing bloodbath (which is shorter than you’d expect) keeps NATION from viewing Turner as Braveheart or even Spartacus.  Throughout the film, Turner remains a committed man of peace and of faith until the revolution begins but, even then, there is indication that this is a struggle for him.  Yes, he is leading a violent uprising… but he hasn’t simply become a monster.  He simply sees no other option.

Interestingly enough, the film also has a fascinating conversation about the use of Scripture by both the oppressed and oppressors as well.  While he reads the passages on freedom and hope for himself, he is pressured to preach on the value of slavery while the people suffer in silence.  Parker clearly wants this to lead to a conversation about who really owns the truth  and, thankfully, he contains himself from directly monologuing on the subject.  (It is clear in the film’s construct who the villains are and such conversation isn’t necessary.)

It’s my hope that, as the Fall unfolds, this film finds it’s audience and, potentially, awards recognition.  With the conversation surrounding Parker having tainted what otherwise may have been a clear path to Oscar, I do feel like it would be a wasted opportunity for some real conversations that a film like this presents.

maxresdefault2

Filed Under: Film, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Armie Hammer, Best Picture, Birth of a Nation, controversy, Fox Searchlight, Nat Turner, Nate Parker, Oscars, Samuel Turner

The God Cells: Good For What Ails You?

June 3, 2016 by Darrel Manson Leave a Comment

godcells2The God Cells raises some interesting questions—some by what is said, some by what is not said. The combination of those questions leaves me very torn as to how to approach this documentary. On the one hand, it shares information for a medical treatment that could provide great benefit to people suffering many terrible illnesses. On the other hand, I can’t say it is not an infomercial for snake oil.

The film is a very one-sided look at the medical use of fetal stem cells. (Fetal stem cells are harvested from aborted fetuses, usually at about eight to ten weeks. Obviously their use—even if effective—is very controversial. They differ somewhat from adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells (neither of which is controversial), and embryonic stem cells (also controversial because they are harvested from embryos a few days old). The film offers some rudimentary explanation of stem cell treatments and the various short-comings for the other types of stem cells. But most of the film is testimonials by patients who have gone to Mexico for these treatments.

Those testimonials are truly impressive. The term “miracle” does not seem out of place. Among the diseases treated are cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, lymphatic leukemia, lupus, Parkinson’s, and rheumatoid arthritis. (There are other diseases alluded to but these are the main ones we hear about firsthand.) The patients we meet who have had this treatment tell amazing stories of not just stopping the progression of their diseases, but of major improvement—to the point of leading normal and active lives. It should be noted that these patients are all the clients of a single doctor (who the film notes, with a bit of spin applied, has lost his license.)

So the first question raised is why is this treatment not readily available? There is some information on the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine as one of the few places doing research on this kind of stem cells. It also points out the many hoops stem cell treatments face with the FDA before they can be approved. However, there is also a cynical streak to the film that points out that because fetal stem cells wouldn’t be patentable, they represent a cure that would not be profitable for drug companies. I’m not above being cynical about Big Pharma, but I also think there are more issues involved than just that.

One of the biggest questions I had in watching the film is where are all the patients who don’t have miraculous stories to tell? How many people has this doctor treated and what percentage of them have benefited? Are there some who got worse?

The film also does not touch on any of the moral and ethical questions involved in such treatment. There are reasons, some religious, that fetal stem cells are controversial. It could well be argued that the benefits must be considered, but so too should the qualms that many people would have about the practice. And what of the ethics of going across the border to Tijuana to provide a treatment not allowed here, and at a cost of $30,000 (not covered by any insurance) that is only available to those with some means?

It may well be that this is a treatment that deserves to be better understood. The stories we hear are very persuasive. If I were as ill as some of those in the film, I might be hopeless enough to seek out this treatment. But this is still a situation that seems to be very open to the abuse of sick, desperate people. If the film encourages people to seek more inquiry into the treatment by the scientific community, it will be a good thing. If it merely sends people seeking their own miracle to pay their money for their chance (with unknown odds) at a better life, then there are too many questions outstanding.

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: abortion, arthritis, controversy, cystic fibrosis, documentary, Eric Merola, leukemia, lupus, medicine, multiple sclerosis, stem cells

Primary Sidebar

THE SF NEWS

Get a special look, just for you.

sf podcast

Hot Off the Press

  • Stanleyville: Exposing our Killer Instinct
  • SF Radio 8.25: Mental Health and the Multiverse in EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
  • Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers – Dusting Off these Two Gumshoes
  • GIVEAWAY! Advance Screening of TOP GUN: MAVERICK!
  • Men: Trapped in Man’s World
Find tickets and showtimes on Fandango.

where faith and film are intertwined

film and television carry stories which remind us of the stories God has woven since the beginning of time. come with us on a journey to see where faith and film are intertwined.

Footer

ScreenFish Articles

Stanleyville: Exposing our Killer Instinct

SF Radio 8.25: Mental Health and the Multiverse in EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

  • About ScreenFish
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 · ScreenFish.net · Built by Aaron Lee

Posting....
 

Loading Comments...