Hollywood uncensored
Campus Times
September 19, 1997
cartoon by Stephanie Lesniak
The movies are a window into our imagination, our world, our past and
our future. Movies are an expression from a writer who is trying to show
how he sees the world. But when a politician steps in, trying to boost his
own career, the expression becomes limited.
Vice President Al Gore has attacked movies such as "Get Shorty"
and "My Best Friend's Wedding" for having characters that do what
millions of Americans do everyday-they smoke. He stated that the image of
Julia Roberts or John Travolta as a chain smoker gives the impression that
smoking is the cool thing to do. But did Vice President Gore ever stop and
think that maybe, just maybe, the screenwriter needed to develop that character
or just show reality?
Well, the reality for Vice President Gore seems to be the need for a
springboard into his 2000 presidential campaign, since his career has been
in the shadow of President Bill Clinton, leaving some of America asking,
"Who is Al Gore?"
The freedom of the writers is protected in the Constitution. The men
and women who feel a need to express or display a situation in a manner
that calls for a smoker are free to do so. In this democratic society, is
not everyone, including those alienated screenwriters, protected under the
freedom of the press?
Vice President Gore says that smoking in movies is wrong. Here are a
few more things that could be interpreted as wrong, which may give bad ideas
to the inapt movie viewer, and thus writers should edit from their scripts:
1. Sex. Sometimes in a script for a plot to develop, some person may
have to commit adultery or premarital sex to create a story. But, under
the Gore philosophy, these are issues that are a problem with America, so
we should not promote them in the theater.
2. Violence. The killing, the bloodshed and whatever else comes across
as negative behavior should be banished also. If the audience sees a gang
member in a movie kill someone for the purpose of the story, then those
in attendance may be inspired to join a posse.
3. Drugs/Alcohol. These may fall in with smoking, but for a person to
take a drink on-screen, the results could make all of America become bar-hopping,
abusive drunks-and do not even think about portraying a drug addict on the
big screen.
These simple guidelines would make the movies much more enlightening
and educational. Why go to a movie to see a good shoot-out anyway? The writers
will create movie classics, such as "Bambi Goes to School" and
"Barney and Friends-The Movie," to make our trip to the Mann 12
a great experience for the entire family.
The elimination of key elements to a story cannot happen. For an informative,
entertaining or interesting movie, sex, violence, alcohol and smoking should
be allowed to be included in the script if the writer needs to use them
to show development and reality. If this censorship is not avoided, the
trickle-down effect may result in having not only a movie industry filled
with limitations, but also a society that limits the freedom given to us
by our forefathers.
