A Terrible, Awful No-Good Week for Hollywood
It’s only January, but it’s hard to imagine Hollywood will have a worse month this year.
The industry was awash with optimism when it began in 2023. “Avatar: The Way of Water” Blockbuster blockbusters are doing the same thing as them. Hoover up the public’s money You can also guarantee greater environmental protection.
Tom Hanks’ “A Man Called Otto” It is over-performingIf they are true to the heartland, populist stories can still attract attention.
The industry’s most celebrated film festival, Sundance, opened its doors for the first time since the pandemic ravaged the globe.
That’s where the bad news begins.
If u read 1 thing today…read this article👇🏼-‘Why Film Festivals Are Steering Clear of Controversial Movies-Jihad Rehab’@LorraineAli @ZaidJilani @powellnyt @gcaw @colinfreeman99 @bariweiss @TimesKennedy @KonstantinKisin @MattBelloni @coldxman @jessesingalhttps://t.co/RR77F0rWMh
— Meg Smaker (@Meighon) January 18, 2023
Variety published an unusual (for the liberal outlet), story earlier this week about the film festival landscape. This article revealed how many are not. so fearful of social justice blowback they’ve begun rejecting films with “problematic” content.
In fact, that quick-to-capitulate reflex underscores a new, unspoken modus operandi in which festivals — once the bastion of provocative, button-pushing fare — are desperate to avoid controversy and the wrath of any identity-focused Twitter mob.
The 2022 documentary “Jihad Rehab,” Now known as “The UnRedacted,” This set off a downward spiral. After Sundance, a Cancel Culture mob attacked it. Even the attackers were unfair liberal outlets like The Atlantic and The New York Times cried foul.
Why is it important to have weak-kneed film festivals?
Festivals not only promote indie fare that might otherwise get overlooked, but they also support emerging filmmakers whose voices aren’t fully formed yet. Along the way, they share provocative stories that do what art should – spark conversation.
Films that generate excitement at festivals often get distributors, press attention, and other perks in an crowded marketplace.
Now, festival programmers are so fearful of blowback they’d rather err on the side of social media caution. It’s a terrifying trend for free expression, and one likely to get worse before it improves.
This was the only Hollywood breakthrough in recent times.
I’m trying to imagine Sundance participants who require loyalty oaths surviving something like WWII. https://t.co/0S6Ew65YLh
— Awards Daily (@AwardsDaily) January 19, 2023
A Wall Street Journal editorial revealed that anyone wanting to see Sundance films must sign the “agreement” label. “loyalty oath” Thank you for this privilege.
I had to make a promise to be “vigilant in the fight against the spread of COVID-19,” Avoid “unwelcome sexual attention, harassment, stalking, and inappropriate physical contact of any kind,” How to avoid it “abuse or intimidation including that related to race, gender, position, or wealth.”
It also applies to patrons who can watch Sundance screenings online like the reporter did.
The festival even set up a reporting process where snitches could tattle on oath-breakers to Sundance’s “Safety & Belonging” team. (Yes, that’s an actual body within Team Sundance). If you break the rules, you might never again see a Sundance screening.
George Orwell wouldn’t be this bold in his fiction.
What’s even worse?
Why was it necessary for a WSJ scribe break the story? “loyalty oath” news? The pledge was signed by other critics in the country and writers who work at Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and similar sites.
Did they think it wasn’t newsworthy? Did they know it could embarrass Sundance if it leaked?
What is the worst-case scenario? They signed the oath.
The release of “Justice,” A new documentary exposes old allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. According to early reviews, the film is hopelessly one-sided but leaves out important information that discredits many of its arguments.
RELATED: SAMANTHA BEE: ANATOMY OF A KAVANAUGH SMEAR
Sundance got the closeup of that Sundance film. No social justice mob will rise up against it – the documentary shares the Approved message on the topic in play
That’s where the arts are today … express approved opinions only.
Attention should also be paid to a related news story. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had to apologize this week after he wasn’t deferential enough to pop superstar Rihanna. Smith, known for his blustery opinions, suggested he’d rather see Beyonce perform at this year’s Super Bowl than Rihanna.
Cue the Cancel Culture mob. Smith instantly backed down, which is a strange idea considering that he had praised Rihanna and considered her less attractive than her famous peer.
Comedy Central guest host Leslie Jones criticised Smith for only having one opinion from her temporary post “Daily Show” perch.
Leslie Jones Blasts ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for Comparing Rihanna to Beyoncé, Criticizes Apology https://t.co/DwglFSa9ub
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 20, 2023
What does each of these stories have to do with one another? There has been no outrage in the media, especially entertainment outlets. Nor have any artists, to this reporter’s knowledge, spoken out against the loyalty oath or the new, unwritten rules overseeing the film festival circuit.
We’re still waiting to see if anyone has Smith’s back for sharing a mild barb against a pop superstar.
Add all these together, and 2023 is a horrible, terrible start for Hollywood.
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