Strange Culture (2007)

Must see film...especially now

At a time when the country stands at a crossroads, the more information
we have, the better. When I watched this movie, I took notes with the hopes
of doing a piece about it as a freelance writer. Editors thought the story had been sufficiently told. Ironically, I pitched it the week that CIA tapes mysteriously disappeared. One of the quotes from the movie is
"Freedom is knowledge." If we don't educate ourselves about
what is happening in our country, we are doomed. Luckily, we have courageous documentary film makers that are willing to put themselves on the line to
make sure that the rest of us know what is going on. March 1, 2008

artistic freedom and political urgency

Strange Culture
I've seen this docudrama twice now. It offers a penetrating yet quite understated commentary on the emergence of what author Bertram Gross once described as "friendly fascism" - not the jackboots, uniforms and screeching rhetoric, but our 'friendly protection' from terrorism, and at the same time our 'protection' from lingering anxieties concerning genetically modified foods. You wouldn't think all this would come together in a single FBI case, currently pending. But it has. In Buffalo, New York.

One of the poignant features of this film is the determinedly honest picture it paints of the warm but intermittently irritable relation between Steve Kurtz, the central surviving character in this tragedy, and his wife of many years (played by Tilda Swinton), the day before she suddenly died. So is the portrayal of the acute fears of a student of 'Middle Eastern' origin, as he decides whether or not to sign a petition of support for Kurtz, one of his most respected university instructors.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls... This film needs knowing. February 28, 2008

most moving film I've seen so far

I watched this film on IFC, and immediately ordered a copy. I plan on showing this movie in all ART classes and CRIMINAL JUSTICE classes at my university. This documentary tears the roof off our 'friendly loving' government and shows the reality of the situation. We're all 100% guilty until proven innocent. Even then, being proven innocent means nothing, just that they'll try to get you on a different more BS charge!

Buy it! Watch it! Join the mailing list- This is happening right now, and YOU can make a difference! Take a look at CAE_Defense (at) yahoogroups.com for the fastest and most current updates. February 23, 2008

A "MUST" BUY.

Strange Culture is, without a doubt, THE most important film about the horrendous, idiotic, policies of the current administration. The film chronicles the nightmare that is possible when an artist critiques our culture with thought and pointed commentary. On the other hand...essentially, this is a film about what FREEDOM means...FOR ALL OF US...not just artists...buy it...it will remind you of what can happen when politicians and their errant political power go "unchecked."

February 23, 2008

Compelling and with a lot of depth.

This film was excellent. It raises some very complex issues that are so pressing to contemporary society. In many ways this movie is extremely unnerving. Words such as democracy and freedom are tossed around so easily these days...often in the name of distorted political posturing. However, those words also carry with them very high ideals. After watching this film, how might you think about your rights and freedoms today? Don't take my word for it. See it for yourself and you decide what is most compelling about this film. February 23, 2008

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