I love Shin Godzilla! One of Anno's best, most politically charged works. His take on US Imperialism was really interesting.
Not all entertainment has to affirm your politics for it to be fun
Of course. What I'm taking issue with the person I'm replying to is their insistence that there aren't any politics present in the text we were discussing.
Edit: Also, it gets a bit harder to Death of the Author when you're the one on the receiving end of the author's political violence. Still possible, but still.
I'm just trying to have a discussion with you because your points are interesting, didn't even notice the ongoing replies.
For me, Shin Godzilla distills Japan's right wing political bent( on reaffirming japanese nationalism). The reccuring anti-American esp. in connection to anti-nuclear sentiment really seals the deal. It's a complex work.
Regarding on the Death of the Author: A fascist statement is still a fascist statement whether attributed or not. If a song sounds misogynist, it's probably misogynist. I don't derive enjoyment from misogyny. I take along the art based on my own valuations and interpretations.
Shit on the author as much as we can. They're the least of our consideration. In the turn of the capitalist condition, we can always repurpose and decontextualize their work. We should and we must separate the author and their work. We are at least entitled to that. Art are mere commodities and should be treated as such.
Really? For me the film's insistence that small technocratic expert committees that eschewed traditional ways of doing things were the only way to tackle crises (Godzilla is basically Fukushima in the movie), along with the tacit acknowledgement that international cooperation was necessary (even in the face of American imperialism) made the film seem very liberal, although I do see your point about edit: an overall Japanese nationalistic tone (didn't finish my sentence haha)
Art are mere commodities and should be treated as such.
I agree with everything else you said, except this. Yes, right now under capitalism the majority of art is mere commodity, but hopefully (eventually) it'll return to what it should be- communication.
It's not demeaning to talk about art as commodity. Just more practical for me to discuss films and art as such in a capitalist system in order to stop revolving the art around the artist as an auteur or singular idealogue.
Commodities are talked about as:
A product of labor and its usefulness. Since labor is already alienated under capitalism, we define art based on its usefulness. I place its spectacularity as its social use. In most cases, if the art doesn't please one's senses first, it's useless for me. Narratives and message come after and should correspond with the spectacular qualities.
Re: Shin Godzilla
It's interesting to note that the UN/USA will have tried help eliminate Godzilla via nuclear launch lol
Maybe the term right-wing is too old-fashioned.
The theme I saw in that film is that the faithful population must be taken care of in the danger of compromise of another nation’s agenda(America). It reaffirms the trust of the people to the government, and is welcoming to anyone who is willing to help their cause. International cooperation should not be conflated with internationalism, and is not rejected by right wing liberalism(Just look the UN and NATO). Liberalism is right-wing. To be Anti-American should also not be conflated with anti-imperialism, as interivalries happen with competing states(Russia and USA, USA and Japan).
The film was delivered void of any annoying political sentiments.
Incidentally, revered Japanese creatives have a far right-wing throughline, like Mishima, Abe and Shuuzo. But it's more likely that we can speculate that Anno is a liberal, although his military fascination disturbs me at times.
He directed my favorite Ghibli film, and favorite short about trains so there's that.
I love Shin Godzilla! One of Anno's best, most politically charged works. His take on US Imperialism was really interesting.
Of course. What I'm taking issue with the person I'm replying to is their insistence that there aren't any politics present in the text we were discussing.
Edit: Also, it gets a bit harder to Death of the Author when you're the one on the receiving end of the author's political violence. Still possible, but still.
I'm just trying to have a discussion with you because your points are interesting, didn't even notice the ongoing replies.
For me, Shin Godzilla distills Japan's right wing political bent( on reaffirming japanese nationalism). The reccuring anti-American esp. in connection to anti-nuclear sentiment really seals the deal. It's a complex work.
Regarding on the Death of the Author: A fascist statement is still a fascist statement whether attributed or not. If a song sounds misogynist, it's probably misogynist. I don't derive enjoyment from misogyny. I take along the art based on my own valuations and interpretations.
Shit on the author as much as we can. They're the least of our consideration. In the turn of the capitalist condition, we can always repurpose and decontextualize their work. We should and we must separate the author and their work. We are at least entitled to that. Art are mere commodities and should be treated as such.
Really? For me the film's insistence that small technocratic expert committees that eschewed traditional ways of doing things were the only way to tackle crises (Godzilla is basically Fukushima in the movie), along with the tacit acknowledgement that international cooperation was necessary (even in the face of American imperialism) made the film seem very liberal, although I do see your point about edit: an overall Japanese nationalistic tone (didn't finish my sentence haha)
I agree with everything else you said, except this. Yes, right now under capitalism the majority of art is mere commodity, but hopefully (eventually) it'll return to what it should be- communication.
It's not demeaning to talk about art as commodity. Just more practical for me to discuss films and art as such in a capitalist system in order to stop revolving the art around the artist as an auteur or singular idealogue.
Commodities are talked about as:
A product of labor and its usefulness. Since labor is already alienated under capitalism, we define art based on its usefulness. I place its spectacularity as its social use. In most cases, if the art doesn't please one's senses first, it's useless for me. Narratives and message come after and should correspond with the spectacular qualities.
Ah, fair enough. I see where you're coming from- strictly in a Marxist sense.
Re: Shin Godzilla It's interesting to note that the UN/USA will have tried help eliminate Godzilla via nuclear launch lol
Maybe the term right-wing is too old-fashioned.
The theme I saw in that film is that the faithful population must be taken care of in the danger of compromise of another nation’s agenda(America). It reaffirms the trust of the people to the government, and is welcoming to anyone who is willing to help their cause. International cooperation should not be conflated with internationalism, and is not rejected by right wing liberalism(Just look the UN and NATO). Liberalism is right-wing. To be Anti-American should also not be conflated with anti-imperialism, as interivalries happen with competing states(Russia and USA, USA and Japan).
The film was delivered void of any annoying political sentiments.
Incidentally, revered Japanese creatives have a far right-wing throughline, like Mishima, Abe and Shuuzo. But it's more likely that we can speculate that Anno is a liberal, although his military fascination disturbs me at times.
He directed my favorite Ghibli film, and favorite short about trains so there's that.