Freedom of thought
I watched Good night and good luck last night. The movie shows a period from the career of Edwar R. Murrow, an American journalist who worked for CBS during the 40's and the 50's. The movie focuses on (probably) the most controversial conflict during his professional life: opposing Senator Joseph McCarthy on his campaign against the Communism. I thought both the movie and the story were very strong. George Clooney has done an amazing job in my opinion. The movie pointed out some very interesting issues that are still valid in today's world with the ever increasing stupidity in our mass media. (For a very funny touch upon a serious related issue read Shirin)
To see that by opposing a person in a higher position, Ed. Murrow exposed himself to threats and false accusations, I realized once again how similar situations can be when your not on the side of power, be it in the United States - the land of freedom -, in Islamic Republic of Iran, or in any other country.
I definitely recommend watching this movie, especially if you're a fan of black and white movies and enjoy Jazz music! because did I tell you? the soundtrack is one of the best.
Here are some parts of the speech Ed. Murrow gave on october 15, 1958 that I found interesting [omitted sentences are replaced with "..."]:
"Our history will be what we make it. And if there are any historians about fifty or a hundred years from now...they will there find recorded in black and white, or color, evidence of decadence, escapism and insulation from the realities of the world in which we live. ... We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late."
3 comments:
I really liked this one too .. I think its strongest point was that it told the story in a straightforward manner, without hammering home the obvious point that there are people as dangerous as McCarthy operating our country today
I simply loved it, it reminded me Of McCarthisim in our own homeland. I am a jazz freek, the music was magical.
reel fanatic,
Totally agree with you!
Persian architect,
you'll get some more Jazz music posts in here, so stay tuned! :)
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