300 versus Iran
It seems that American ideals have indeed infected the East... at least the litigious / "can't take it on the chin" kind.
The film 300 has caused a lot of ire in Iran. Essentially they feel the Persian forces in the fantasy re-enactment of the Battle of Thermopylae are depicted "as demons, without culture, feeling or humanity, who think of nothing except attacking other nations and killing people."
What's worse is Iran's Javad Shamghadri, cultural adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, feels the film is another attempt by the U.S. to humiliate Iran in order to "compensate for its wrongdoings in order to provoke American soldiers and warmongers" against Iran.
Okay, where should I begin this "get over yourself" rebuttal?
First, the 300 Spartans in the film that do battle against the Persians are... wait for it... GREEK! Not Americans! Greeks portrayed by British and Kiwi actors!!
Yes, the film was made by Hollywood, but let me tell you something. Hollywood filmmakers are not advancing any of George W. Bush's agenda in the Middle East. If 300 was released by Fox, then Iran might have grounds for a complaint.
Second, let's examine a little bit of history. Persians under the reign of Xerxes I did invade good portions of the world... way back in 480 B.C. The Persians may not be a people "who think of nothing except attacking other nations and killing people" today, but at one point in ancient history they had an inkling. So did many other forms of civilzation... Romans, Greeks, Ottoman, Chinese, Japanese, British, German.
Thirdly, 300 is based on a graphic novel (re: comic book) which was based on a legend which was based on ancient history. Usually in the process from history to comic book there's been some artistic license.
History is written from the point of view of the victorious and while King Leonidas was defeated at Thermopylae, he took a lot of Persians with him. This, in turn, empowered the Greeks against Xerxes and led to his defeat at the Battle of Salamis. This was the beginning of the end for the Persian forces in the Greco-Persian wars. It was a long road to victory, but Leonidas lit the fuse.
Victor=Hero=Olive Wreathes, Songs, Epic Poems & hyberbole
Director Zack Snyder has said many times that 300 is supposed to have the feel of a storyteller telling the adventures of King Leonidas. That means Leonidas will be painted in epic hero strokes... not historical. Besides the filmmakers behind 300 lay no claims to historical accuracy.
Yes, Xerxes is depicted in the film as a sexually amibiguous fetish god. The rest of his forces also have some unrealistic, monstrous qualities. That is lamentable, but a by-product of a story based in the arena of good & evil. Evil will always be portrayed as ugly. It's not right. It just is and always has been (especially in the realm of legends and myth which 300 surely is - nobody has abs like the Spartans except in classical sculpture, the overzealous areas of the Bally's and the movies).
Iran shouldn't worry too much. Sadly, until Iran raised a stink, most American audiences probably didn't know that Persian and Iranian meant the same thing.
Also think of the fun the Iranian film community can have when they make their CG epic about the current Gulf War. I'd pay good money to see Dick Cheney depicted with body piercings and a harem of horrors. Wouldn't you?
The film 300 has caused a lot of ire in Iran. Essentially they feel the Persian forces in the fantasy re-enactment of the Battle of Thermopylae are depicted "as demons, without culture, feeling or humanity, who think of nothing except attacking other nations and killing people."
What's worse is Iran's Javad Shamghadri, cultural adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, feels the film is another attempt by the U.S. to humiliate Iran in order to "compensate for its wrongdoings in order to provoke American soldiers and warmongers" against Iran.
Okay, where should I begin this "get over yourself" rebuttal?
First, the 300 Spartans in the film that do battle against the Persians are... wait for it... GREEK! Not Americans! Greeks portrayed by British and Kiwi actors!!
Yes, the film was made by Hollywood, but let me tell you something. Hollywood filmmakers are not advancing any of George W. Bush's agenda in the Middle East. If 300 was released by Fox, then Iran might have grounds for a complaint.
Second, let's examine a little bit of history. Persians under the reign of Xerxes I did invade good portions of the world... way back in 480 B.C. The Persians may not be a people "who think of nothing except attacking other nations and killing people" today, but at one point in ancient history they had an inkling. So did many other forms of civilzation... Romans, Greeks, Ottoman, Chinese, Japanese, British, German.
Thirdly, 300 is based on a graphic novel (re: comic book) which was based on a legend which was based on ancient history. Usually in the process from history to comic book there's been some artistic license.
History is written from the point of view of the victorious and while King Leonidas was defeated at Thermopylae, he took a lot of Persians with him. This, in turn, empowered the Greeks against Xerxes and led to his defeat at the Battle of Salamis. This was the beginning of the end for the Persian forces in the Greco-Persian wars. It was a long road to victory, but Leonidas lit the fuse.Victor=Hero=Olive Wreathes, Songs, Epic Poems & hyberbole
Director Zack Snyder has said many times that 300 is supposed to have the feel of a storyteller telling the adventures of King Leonidas. That means Leonidas will be painted in epic hero strokes... not historical. Besides the filmmakers behind 300 lay no claims to historical accuracy.
Yes, Xerxes is depicted in the film as a sexually amibiguous fetish god. The rest of his forces also have some unrealistic, monstrous qualities. That is lamentable, but a by-product of a story based in the arena of good & evil. Evil will always be portrayed as ugly. It's not right. It just is and always has been (especially in the realm of legends and myth which 300 surely is - nobody has abs like the Spartans except in classical sculpture, the overzealous areas of the Bally's and the movies).
Iran shouldn't worry too much. Sadly, until Iran raised a stink, most American audiences probably didn't know that Persian and Iranian meant the same thing.
Also think of the fun the Iranian film community can have when they make their CG epic about the current Gulf War. I'd pay good money to see Dick Cheney depicted with body piercings and a harem of horrors. Wouldn't you?
posted by FHW | 2:43 PM
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