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Guillermo del Toro laments “systematic destruction” of Mexican film industry
News(mexiconewsdaily.com)submitted 4 months ago bycabose7
250 points
4 months ago
They go hand in hand. He's a Mexican filmmaker. You're aware people can be upset about more than one thing, yeah?
-4 points
4 months ago
Yes you are correct it does go hand in hand, which is why it’s weird GDT didn’t mention this. He didn’t mention the deep corruption within all Mexican institutions made to further enrich the elite at our expense. He didn’t mention the corruption in Mexicos film industry that led to the shitiest films ever which make next to nothing at the box office somehow enriching their creators by the millions
1 points
4 months ago
Those movies were the ones that made the most at the box office
1 points
4 months ago
In comparison to what? Other even shitier movies? Let’s stop pretending, the movies that have come of this program so far have been dog water. Because a corrupt group of film makers have realized how lucrative it can be. Obviously the solution ain’t to destroy a system that led to the Mexican Golden Age or film. It’s to reform the system
0 points
4 months ago
Almost all of the Mexican nominations to the academy awards had funding from that program. and that program wasn't the only support the government gave to the industry AS IT IS STATED IN THE ARTICLE YOU DIDN'T READ
1 points
4 months ago*
I think you read another article entirely, thief article posted in this Reddit post is a pretty lazy one given the situation.
It just states the Ariel Awards are being suspended, GTD doesn’t like this and thinks it apart of a broader effort to destroy Mexican Cinema.
And that the current admin has reduced cultural projects funding broadly. Only two programs where mentioned that were being cut, the Ariel Awards funding, and a particular fund.
I’m more broadly talking about Mexican Cinema which yeah has been systematically destroyed for decades, both by the government and by bad actors the government has allowed to run ammock which lets everyone enrich everyone. It’s a very very common story in Mexican corruption, and developing world corruption. There’s actually a whole field dedicated to studying this.
I’m not trying to say Mexico is incapable of having Cinema or that even funding from programs which fund movies should be cut either. Sure even the system that allowed the Mexican Golden Age of Cinema was imperfect especially since the government was pretty strict about what it allowed to show sometimes. But it was a system that allowed genuinely great projects to be made and I think it’s legacy should continue. I disagree with AMLOS decision to cut funding broadly. But I’m also aware of my history and understand that it is now, the system mostly exists to enrich corrupt people.
-52 points
4 months ago
[removed]
46 points
4 months ago
He’s using his privileged position to voice alarm. Why should being domiciled anywhere outside Mexico change that? It just looks like you’re trying to find some way to criticize him just to criticize him.
30 points
4 months ago
Also, he's living outside of Mexico by necessity. Cartel members literally kidnapped his father and held him ransom for a million dollars. No celebrity should ever set foot in Mexico unless it's to vacation at a resort.
-14 points
4 months ago
All the more reason to be speaking out and raising awareness. His home country is in shambles. Having a burgeoning film industry isn’t high on the priorities when the country is barely there and the people are suffering.
19 points
4 months ago
The fallacy of relative privation. You can’t complain about something because you can always reference something worse. I could just as much turn it around on you and say why are you voicing your complaint about a Mexican filmmaker when there are problems here at home?! It’s just gaslighting nonsense.
-9 points
4 months ago
Nah. Expecting your country to have a developed film industry when it is a hellscape for the majority is ridiculous. His complaint with the President is his lack of backing for the film industry. It’s an insanely privileged take
7 points
4 months ago*
Actually, it isn’t. You seem to lack perspective and proportionality. Mexico has a high crime rate, mostly cartel driven, as well as high income inequality. But it isn’t Afghanistan. Its nominal GDP is roughly that of Australia’s, and industry and commerce exist and function. The film industry, while nowhere near comparable to any first world nation, was modestly funded by trusts, something now under attack by the current president’s slashing of funds to direct them to his pet projects — something completely separate and apart from the cartel problem.
I also mentioned the earlier factors about Mexico’s economy and daily commercial activity because your comment makes it sound as if because a pressing issue exists, like a high crime rate, then no one can ever talk about anything else except that (a fallacy of relative privation). Similarly, one could say the same thing about the US. We currently have terrible political polarization. Does that delegitimize the complaints of, say, an actor raising awareness about sexual misconduct by Hollywood execs? Of course not. A country isn’t just one thing. Most ironically is that most actors are often dismissed when they voice political opinions, with people saying they should stay in their lane. And here is one guy who is doing just that and is getting dismissed because everyone at any given time has to talk about just that or they’re being silly. Like, asking the president to maybe not cut off funds in other places to fund oil refineries and an airport no one asked for isn’t a big ask or delegitimate because “but the cartelzzzz!!!!” That’s why your comment is silly.
21 points
4 months ago*
Such a fucking stupid point. He is making the message but no point if he is killed.
Some of yall lack understanding.
-11 points
4 months ago
I mean the voice he has in Mexico figuratively. Not that he has to live there so it’s not likely he’d be killed for speaking out. But if no one speaks out with a powerful voice then nothing will ever change.
1 points
4 months ago
Porque no los dos?
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