Political Campaign Ads

In line with class discussions, I ran into a campaign ad for Rick Perry. Rick Perry is running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election.

 The campaign ad which is called "Rick Perry - Proven Leadership" was described by bloggers as a "advertisement of an apocalypse movie". Link is provided below (if you are a film maker, take notes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EL5Atp_vF0&feature=player_embedded 

Half of the video is aimed at pointing out Obama's current failures. But to be honest, this was a great ad, with great music and visuals I wonder who directed it. It sure cost a lot of money which is claimed to be paid by rickperry.org, but who pays rickperry.org? What astonished me the most is that I ran into a blog that claims that Obama is raising $30 million on his next campaign.


But check out who else is running for president, it is Marvin E. Quasniki! Who is Marvin? Here he is..

Here is Marvin's "vision"..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS6J_XXVst0

Machine Gun Preacher

Last weekend, I went to the movies and got into this film which I had no idea what it was about, except that it had Gerard Butler in it. It was called 'Machine Gun Preacher' and from the movie' name and poster, I thought this is going to be another violent Hollywood movie that is is going to entertain me and my friends on a Friday night. Looking at the movie poster found below, you cannot blame me!

We all love Gerard Butler, we've seen him in Law Abiding Citizen, Rock-n-Rolla, 300 and PS. I Love You and as you can see from the poster my pre-judgement was rightful. But from the opening 5 minutes of the film, I knew this was not another bloody movie meant for entertainment. Without giving so much away, it was based on the real story of Sam Childers an ex-con, drug addict, gun loving tough guy from Pennsylvania, USA who finds God and decides to help kids in South Sudan. These kids were terrorized and kidnapped, given guns to fight wars and put into sex slavery. Being Sudanese myself, the story of Sam had a major effect on me. This is because I was already aware of the situation in the Southern part of the country and the nightmare that its people go through everyday. But the fact that someone from half-way across the globe decides to make a difference by coming to one of the most dangerous parts of the world to protect kids physically, emotionally and financially leaving behind his family, friends and a safe place to sleep in made me rethink a lot about our luxurious everyday life. Sam took it to the extreme, but that is not how we all should make a difference, there are many ways in which we can help and there are many places to go to in order to do so. After I went home I read a lot about the real Sam Childers who published a book around a year ago called 'Another Man's World'. If you got to www.machinegunpreacher.org you can find more on the topic. Here are some real pictures from Sam's journey in South Sudan.

Sam collaborates with the Sudanese People Liberation Army

Gerard Butler portraying Sam Childers

Sam Childers now has book and a movie that tell his courageous Story

Gerard Butler and Sam Childers

Through out this course (MCM 102) I have been trying to pin point cases where the media was not doing its job or trying to manipulate me. But for the first time in a while I was actually proud of what Hollywood has done here. The movie has weak marketing and limited release which means the profit was not the primary objective here. Technically it was an excellent film directed by Marc Foster who directed blockbusters like Monster's Ball and Quantum of Solace. So money ($30 million budget) and effort were spent in this film and the results are astonishing. If you argue otherwise, that profit is always what the film industry is after or that people like Sam seek fame or fortune, then I would say that as long as a strong, truthful message is being put across then so be it. I highly recommend watching this film.



Movie Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eddnloOFjwY

Interview with Sam Childers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhq54tkNHXo

Sam Childers in Darfur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc1ETDwJ5I0&feature=related

Visit

http://www.machinegunpreacher.org

Homophobia in the Middle East

"In Baghdad a new series of murders began early this year, perpetrated against men suspected of being gay. Often they are raped, their genitals cut off, and their anuses sealed with glue. Their bodies are left at landfills or dumped in the streets. The nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch, which has documented many of these crimes, has spoken of a systematic campaign of violence involving hundreds of murders". This is an extract from www.salon.com reporting an incident in Iraq. It is an American online liberal magazine.


Homophobia in the Middle East has always been present, even in its media. Such reports would not be reported in Arab  print. Homosexuality is a topic that is generally avoided in the Middle East. Even in contemporary film and literature the topic is lightly touched upon, if addressed at all. Tt is not an 'attractive' subject to talk about.From an Islamic point of view, homosexuality is one of the greatest sins. Away from the religious, homosexuality is greatly shameful. Of course, this is unlike the global stance on the subject. Globally, homosexuality tends to fall under "freedom", but in the Middle East it is absolutely rejected.

In Saudi Arabia where Shari'a is applied, homosexuality is penalized and penalties can reach up to executions. So all these factors combined can explain this homophobic reaction of the people of the Middle East.

This is a youtube link to a stand-up comedy about the Iranian president's comments on homosexuality in Iran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDOY-LbHa2g&feature=fvsr

WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE USED

Media Bias

I would like to share and discuss with you some reasons behind media bias. A lot of us sense it and all of us have our different views. But when it comes to "news" I personally think that the media should not only report what the people want to hear or see. The motives behind media bias are plenty. Whatever the reasons are, a simple solution is that the audience should not limit themselves to only one source. Diversity is healthy and receiving different opinions raises awareness. Media bias is present everywhere, in the politics, business and even the sports section of the media. So what are the motives behind media bias? They are plenty. But the way I see it, is that if media gives the people what they want to hear, then to them, they are doing a good job. Media is business and in order to compete one has to please the "customers". The Youtube link below shows an interesting point too. It says that being biased actually makes media more successful. It sounds sad but it makes sense. If a news agency "pleases" a good portion of the people then, in way it guarantees its profit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVcvVL7pzc&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLA2817E0475A25CD2

Product placement in.. "James Bond"

Product placement in movies is a viscous battle between product companies. Movies are now one of the many examples that act as "advertising agencies". Let us look at the James Bond series as an example of these "advertising agencies". What makes Bond so popular that brands battle out in order to place their products in one of these movies? Women want Bond (at least he is portrayed that way), men want to be Bond and he is an action figure for the kids. He has been there for a long time so the age difference is also covered. Cars, mobile phones, cigarettes, watches, laptops, you name it! It is all in there. Aston Martin or the BMW? Mac or Vaio? Rolex or Omega? What will Bond choose? What will you choose?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naBRz1Y0cc8&feature=player_embedded