EAST TO WEST. WEST TO EAST?

EAST TO WEST. WEST TO EAST?
by Andy Weddington
Tuesday, 07 January 2014

 "Government is a ruling structured thuggery." Toba Beta

With the goings on of the NSA eavesdropping and data collection, on all Americans (and foreigners, too) and blatant political corruption (yes, I understand the redundancy) in Washington, a couple of movie choices last week triggered a thought or two.

On consecutive evenings my wife and I watched the movies with some Canadian friends.

The first evening, at their recommendation, was the German (English subtitles - though after 15 or 20 minutes you don't need them the film so well made [like 'Das Boot']) film, 'The Lives of Others.'

In short, the story line was about sex and corruption and the GDR (German Democratic Republic - East Germany) watching, recording, and storing data (written records) on the citizenry. And government thuggery (exercised through the Stasi).

The film, from 2006 - categorized as 'political drama,' was based on fact - directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Ulrich Muhe (two dots over u); Martina Gedeck; Sebastian Koch; and Ulrich Tukur. All household names in Germany. But not so known in the United States (nor Canada). They should be.

I'll not further address the movie, so as not to spoil.

It is powerful. It is sobering. It is frightening.

As credits rolled, I thought. I thought more about it while laying abed before dozing off. And it's been on my mind since.

I did not look at the DVD case.

The following evening our same audience watched the American film, 'State of Play.'

In short, the story line was about sex and corruption - business as usual - in the hub of America's political arena. Surveillance, too. And government thuggery.

The film, from 2009 - categorized as 'political thriller,' was not necessarily based on fact but then again it was (surely it was) - directed by Kevin MacDonald and starring Russell Crowe; Ben Affleck; Rachel McAdams; and Helen Mirren. All household names in America and Canada and most likely Germany, too.

I'll not further address the movie, so as not to spoil.

It is powerful. It is sobering. It is frightening.

As credits rolled, I thought. I thought more about it while laying abed before dozing off. It's been on my mind since.

And so has 'The Lives of Others,' still.

The films are akin.

I did look at the DVD case for 'State of Play.'

There was a small boxed warning:

THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

Yes, seriously.

Unbelievable!

In late 1989 the Berlin Wall fell (Thank you, President Ronald Reagan!).

East to West.

In 2013 Americans learned they've been under surveillance - spied upon, monitored, data recorded (electronic records), etc. And government thuggery (exercised through The White House and the NSA and the IRS and the HHS and god knows what other agency(s) and what else is going on).

Not even three decades.

West to East?

The warning on 'The Lives of Others' (as I recall, there was depictions of tobacco consumption) DVD case should be:

THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF WHERE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS HEADING

The warning on 'State of Play' (I don't recall the depictions of tobacco consumption) DVD case should be:

THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN AMERICA

Thank you, Germany.

And thank you, Canadian friends.

Wake up, America!

Post Script

Recommendation: Watch the movies - in the order presented. Think about them and America today. And suggest to your friends, especially those who list to port, they watch. Maybe they'll think, too.