July 13, 2003

Not-so-free speech

Brother Drudge indicates that "Disney/Miramax [are] set to release [a] film depicting [members of the] America[n] military as drug dealers; criminals..." According to the opus' Director, Gregor Jordan:

"Here in the UK no one gets upset, but over there, where the President is fighting these military campaigns in the name of democracy, the first casualty seems to be freedom of speech, the cornerstone of any democracy."

And, according to the film's star, Joaquin Phoenix:

"I don't know why anyone would be offended. It wasn't a movie that was intended to offend. And if we don't show things as they really happen, then what's that about? Censorship!"

I'm as high on free speech as the next blogger. And, I realize that the "free" part doesn't refer to the cost it takes to get that speech out amongst hoi polloi.

However, don't movies kinda blur the line between the already blurred line between commercial and non-commercial speech?

Isn't a movie that costs millions of dollars to make and advertise, and that is expected to earn a profit, much more of a commercial venture than an "artistic" one? Isn't it a bit like referring to the speech content of a line of breakfast cereals?

Just something for Joaquin to think about.

Posted to Celebrities at July 13, 2003 10:46 PM

Comments

And if we don't show things as they really happen, then what's that about? Censorship!"

Wasn't he in a movie about aliens and crop circles? THat's real life, ya know!

Posted by: Raymonda at July 16, 2003 11:01 PM

Whats up with affermative action? this is a "free country" right? To me affermative action is a buch of crap. How can people decide who gets the job or who gets into the school by what the color of your skin is.... so if your stupid you can get into a top university just because ur skin is a certin color... that sounds like discrimination to me!!!

Posted by: melissa at October 20, 2003 07:20 AM