I don’t do political commentary on Facebook for a number of reasons, but in this instance the entertainment industry has blatantly asserted itself into my realm as a former adjunct professor of literature. I simply can’t stay silent about this because I wouldn’t want anyone to be naïve or unaware of the clearly intentional hijacking of the theme of the classic book Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Orwell’s theme—as any discerning reader will admit—is the ironic corruption of power: Those who overturn debased leaders become equally debased, and the promise of a class system with complete fairness degenerates to manipulation and propaganda of the naïve and uneducated. The promised “utopia”? One form of oppression only leads to another. The book doesn’t end happily. Most importantly, symbolically, who was Orwell targeting? The Russian Revolution and Stalin, along with the promises of the utopia of socialism, AKA “progressivism” in our current society. There’s one whopper of a euphemism for you.
Enter Andy Serkis and the subtle message of his beautifully crafted The Sheep Detectives. With the popular Hugh Jackman, nonetheless, and a host of other stars lending their voices to what appears to be a delightful film for the entire family. But Moms and Dads, beware—beware of anything that the entertainment industry packages so carefully and passes off as “family fare.” Because Mr. Serkis has taken Orwell’s warnings about socialism…and transferred that to the horrors of capitalism. In other words, our governmental system in the United States is bad. But the ideals, goals, and treatment of people in a system of socialism are good. As officially practiced in countries like North Korea.
(First I need to add this about North Korea, as many of you are probably thinking, “That’s not a socialist country.” Officially, North Korea does indeed call itself socialist [in its constitution and state documents], but you’re correct in thinking that it followed the very pattern that Orwell argued for: Good intentions—were they truly ever, or were the corrupt leaders planning for a dictatorship all along?—deteriorated into the practiced reality: totalitarian socialist or realistically, pure dictatorship.)
Allow me to give you a glimpse into life in North Korea, because Craig has actually been there; he felt, heard and saw the reality of that form of government. After stepping off the plane, Craig experienced:
*The team was immediately assigned a “handler” who would watch them—24/7. Craig experienced that to be true when he left his hotel room very late one night to go down in the elevator. He was completely in the dark as no lights were working; evidently the elevator was operated by a generator at that time of night. Upon reaching the first floor, he was instantly met there by his handler.
*Up-to-date equipment? Pretty much non-existent. A snapshot forever in Craig’s memory: Across the tarmac he saw a 1940’s truck with the hand-crank starter on the front grille, clearly still in use.
*The hotel was sparse, to put it mildly, and it was the sole location where general visitors were permitted to stay. All electric was turned off every night (hence Craig’s trip in the dark that night), not just in the hotel, but across the city as far as Craig could see.
*Every other morning from his window in the hotel, Craig could see a truck delivering a portion of rice to homes. It was a meager amount. That was the general allotment of rice for the day, possibly supplemented with vegetables from gardens. Ask Craig sometime how that felt—to see how little those people lived on. The stark reality also was that the city dwellers were well fed in comparison to those who lived out in the countryside; no one knows the numbers there who are literally starving to death.
*Team members were “asked” (the understanding was that this would occur) to visit Kim Jong II’s body lying in state, bowing when they reached the point where his body resided. The team leader explained that they wouldn’t bow (because of obeisance to only the One God), but they would pray for the people of North Korea at that time.
*The long line moved slowly, and as the North Koreans approached the viewing casket, they would all sob and wail hysterically as they prostrated themselves on the ground before Kim Jong II’s body. A significant demonstration of grief was clearly expected, and the greater the wailing, the better they would be looked upon. (Note the considerable control of thought and expression here. And this is only one example.)
*The “internet” was one accessible cyberspace, made available and controlled by North Korea. Propaganda heavy, maybe? That was the information in its entirety, as the “thought police” government officials wrote every single word.
*“Free” speech was strictly controlled, even for the team members and the missions’ team there: Christian testimonies and anything about God could be shared only if a North Korean specifically asked for information about God.
*An incredibly heavy sense of oppression weighed on the team members the moment they entered North Korea….and didn’t lift until their plane left Korean air space. Only then did Craig feel like he could breathe deeply.
That, my friends, is the reality of what socialism/progressivism looks like. And that’s only the smallest glimpse of a land that keeps its darkest secrets of oppression hidden. Hence, the necessity of limited movement and activities and handlers.
This is what Andy Serkis and far too many in our entertainment industry (and government—we dare not omit those) are lobbying for? The ultimate irony, in my opinion? The very freedoms they enjoy under capitalism—to film this sort of propaganda and attempted manipulation—would be taken away by the dictators of a socialist regime. And if you think the utopia is truly possible—that there would be no dictators, we all will be “totally equal,” and most everything will be “free” (where all that money would come from is still a mystery to me; but then, I guess you could just print more?)—then you need to move posthaste into Disney’s Cinderella castle.
I guess another of those old adages is true: Be wary of what you ask for as you just might receive it. You could be in a government owned hovel with no electricity and no heat, Mr. Serkis, waiting for a truck to deliver your meager allotment of rice. Hope you’re not partial to a nice wine and steak.