Creation is a film based on the life of Charles Darwin. It was developed by the BBC, and has found distributors in almost every country around the globe EXCEPT the United States. The reason? Evolution theory is simply too controversial for US audiences.
Now I don't blame the distributors. They're businessmen, and they have to play to their audience. What saddens me is that the audience has to be played to in this way; that a film about an influential scientist is too controversial for a distributor to pick up, but a franchise about torture and murder can hit six-going-on-seven films and continue to rake in the cash.
From what I see in discussions from multiple sources, other largely (if not predominately) Christian nations do not suffer from this fanatical resistance to evolution theory (at least not on the same scale). Why is it that other nations have managed to reconcile the idea that their faith can coexist evolution theory, yet so many people here continue to rail against it?
To add to the absurdity, one site that was quoted in the article basically blamed Darwin for all of Hitler's atrocities. Are we to blame the inventor of the crowbar for all of the women Ted Bundy bludgeoned? Are we to blame the Wright brothers, or even da Vinci, for the WTC attacks? Is it not a testament to the absurdity of their stance that they must invoke the Holocaust to cast the opposing viewpoint in a sinister light?
What will it take for people like this to stop having to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future?
For pity's sake. The film's not even about evolution.
Yup, which makes the whole thing even more absurd. The film is more about his personal struggle with religion and science. It isn't a documentary on evolution theory. But since it doesn't demonize him for it, it's clearly too controversial for US audiences.:facepalm:
I do not believe this. I see your link and apparently it leads to a published article, but I just cannot believe this.
It does not jibe, at all, with the country I see around me every day.
We are not afraid of Darwin over here. The crackpots might be, but they are a (shrinking) minority. Textbooks talk about Darwin ad nauseam, and Creationists have to fight, tooth and nail, to get their viewpoint more than a few paragraphs worth of discussion.
This literally makes no sense to me.
I mean, it'd be like making a movie about the circumnavigation and saying it can be licensed everywhere but USA because of there's so many 'Flat Earthers' here. It just doesn't make ANY sense.
I do not believe this. I see your link and apparently it leads to a published article, but I just cannot believe this.
It does not jibe, at all, with the country I see around me every day.
We are not afraid of Darwin over here. The crackpots might be, but they are a (shrinking) minority.
This literally makes no sense to me.
I mean, it'd be like making a movie about the circumnavigation and saying it can be licensed everywhere but USA because of there's so many 'Flat Earthers' here. It just doesn't make ANY sense.
It makes sense to me. This is our country. Embrace it. This country is full of uneducated, over-religious people that are blinded by faith...and they are very loud about it.
We are not afraid of Darwin over here. The crackpots might be, but they are a (shrinking) minority.
Ehh... Fur would fly. As far as vocal minorities go, the religious right are right up there with the best of them. Of course, when they do stir up a controversy over a book or movie, it amounts to free publicity. Which makes this a bad business call, but doesn't mean it's not why it happened.
I mean, it'd be like making a movie about the circumnavigation and saying it can be licensed everywhere but USA because of there's so many 'Flat Earthers' here. It just doesn't make ANY sense.
The creationists have considerably more numbers, resources, and sheer volume than the Flat Earthers (who may or may not just be playing a big joke on all the rest of us).
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I mean, thats the first thing I'd think of, but I guess bashing the US is a close second
Not bashing the US (you'll notice I live here too, and for the record I love it here). But that doesn't mean there aren't things over here that could and should change. And one is the surprisingly prevelant disdain for evolution theory. Hell, here's a school that pulled evolution themed t-shirts because of fears of religious backlash.
EDIT: To be clarify, the official reason was "they had to remain religion neutral," which is of course silly since evolution has nothing to do with religion. The honest concern was that the parents would see evolution as a conflict with their religion and throw a fit.
I mean, thats the first thing I'd think of, but I guess bashing the US is a close second
This is what i was thinking... While i dont watch trash like Saw 1-20, I know why others do. Shows like this in america are generally relegated to history channels specials..In fact the amount of specials over it kind of points towards it simply being a boring thing.
It makes sense to me. This is our country. Embrace it. This country is full of uneducated, over-religious people that are blinded by faith...and they are very loud about it.
And its full of educated religious people that are "blinded" by faith. Just saying you might be making a boogeyman out of the opposition.
This is what i was thinking... While i dont watch trash like Saw 1-20, I know why others do. Shows like this in america are generally relegated to history channels specials..In fact the amount of specials over it kind of points towards it simply being a boring thing.
So we have an interesting dilemma. Did the American distributors reject "Creation" because:
a) They thought it would cause controversy among a vocal minority of American viewers, because of the subject matter;
b) Or, they thought it was "too boring" for the majority of American viewers, because of the subject matter?
Either one of these represents a sad state of affairs for American public perception of... well, things.
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I suspect it's falling into the valley of the dead movies, where it's got just enough negative vibe to turn away a segment (a small, stupid segment, of course, but theaters don't care about the IQ of the people buying popcorn) of the population, but not enough shock value to make it a must-see movie for the controversy alone.
He linked to an ebert "not a review" of the movie, where he mentions a gallup poll where only some 40% of american believe in evolution.
I mean, thats the first thing I'd think of, but I guess bashing the US is a close second
QFT. I'm sure it has nothing to do with being controversial and more to do with that fact that American moviegoers aren't going to pay $10 to see this.
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QFT. I'm sure it has nothing to do with being controversial and more to do with that fact that American moviegoers aren't going to pay $10 to see this.
To wit, Bill Maher's movie about religion was released, as was the 'satirical' Conservative Christmas Carol.
Neither did well, but Maher's movie made more...and cost considerably less to make.
But in general, this does sound like a history channel thing, rather than a movie movie.
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Glad that some people are looking at this reasonably, and not just using this as an excuse to hurl more insults at the average american *cough*voltiare*cough*.
This movie would just suck in the box office, hands down.
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I suspect it's falling into the valley of the dead movies, where it's got just enough negative vibe to turn away a segment (a small, stupid segment, of course, but theaters don't care about the IQ of the people buying popcorn) of the population, but not enough shock value to make it a must-see movie for the controversy alone.
He linked to an ebert "not a review" of the movie, where he mentions a gallup poll where only some 40% of american believe in evolution.
That quote about the "valley of the dead movies" is a good point. The thing that bothers me though is that there's enough negative vibe to keep the movie at bay. Even if the segment is smaller than a lot of sources would have us believe, the fact that the segment is a strong and vocal as it is is disturbing to me. The segment does exist, and it is larger than it should be and far larger than I could ever be comfortable with.
To wit, Bill Maher's movie about religion was released, as was the 'satirical' Conservative Christmas Carol.
Neither did well, but Maher's movie made more...and cost considerably less to make.
But in general, this does sound like a history channel thing, rather than a movie movie.
True, those movies did launch over here (though as you said, they did poorly). Though I think their shock factor helped them a lot in avoiding the "valley". And yes, it does seem a History Channel-ish movie, but plenty of movies of that kind do get distributed over here. That this one is seen negatively enough to not saddens me.
Yes, the segment that rails against this is not as large as a lot of sources would have us believe (the gallup poll mentioned drew criticism over the question wording, if I'm not mistaken). Yet the fact remains that the segment exists, is larger than it should be in a nation as scientifically advanced as ours, and has repeatedly shown itself to be loud enough and well-funded enough to effect change in the way businesses, schools, and even local governments handle the subject.
Creation is a film based on the life of Charles Darwin. It was developed by the BBC, and has found distributors in almost every country around the globe EXCEPT the United States. The reason? Evolution theory is simply too controversial for US audiences.
"according to its producer" is the key words here. According to the opinion of one man, that's why.
It could just be that the film either hasn't found someone who thinks it would sell, or that it's just in the limbo that many foreign films get in finding a US distributor. Knee-jerk assumption that it's because there's controversy over evolution is, though not without possibility of being true, not considering other possibilities.
It could just be that the potential for profit isn't high. Studios are hurting in the recession you know.
funny story, one of my managers at work super LDS (mormon), is always acting holy and would have negative things to say about this, but saw is one of his favorite movies lol.
I think this is sad people can't just watch this with an open mind and form their own oppinions. It is like they are afraid of learning more.
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funny story, one of my managers at work super LDS (mormon), is always acting holy and would have negative things to say about this, but saw is one of his favorite movies lol.
I think this is sad people can't just watch this with an open mind and form their own oppinions. It is like they are afraid of learning more.
Orrrrr Its just boring. >_>
I give up. People don't listen or read in this thread
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I've officially quit magic. Don't like the crap that WotC's been taking on us.
Count me among those who suspect that profitability was a bigger factor than controversy.
I mean, all sorts of movies do get released that give the religious right conniptions. And while I think Darwin's life was reasonably fascinating, I really would have no interest in watching a theatrical reconstruction of (some parts of) it. I could always read the books. As for movies, I prefer to send my hard-earned dollars the way of those that make me think by way of grim and gritty CGI allegory (Pan's Labyrinth, District 9, etc.).
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Is it supposed to be any GOOD? I'm pretty sure most people would ignore the fuss, and people that would boycott theaters don't really go to movies much to begin with. This seems like something that would be pretty successful in a limited release for a week or two, but doesn't have the audience for a major release.
Even Kids made it into the theater, but that wouldn't have been such a big deal if it wasn't good enough to generate some buzz.
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As a American, I am offended by the producer's comments. Evolution is already taught in public school so I wouldn't understand how a film on Darwin's life would be offensive. BBC's usage of American "stupidity" as a publicity stunt is low and I have loss a great amount of respect for the news network. Hopefully, people boycott this film for the producer's derogatory comments toward the United States.
As a American, I am offended by the producer's comments. Evolution is already taught in public school so I wouldn't understand how a film on Darwin's life would be offensive. BBC's usage of American "stupidity" as a publicity stunt is low and I have loss a great amount of respect for the news network. Hopefully, people boycott this film for the producer's derogatory comments toward the United States.
Maybe they'll "boycott" it because it belongs on The Discovery Channel and isn't worth the $10 ticket to see.
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Now I don't blame the distributors. They're businessmen, and they have to play to their audience. What saddens me is that the audience has to be played to in this way; that a film about an influential scientist is too controversial for a distributor to pick up, but a franchise about torture and murder can hit six-going-on-seven films and continue to rake in the cash.
From what I see in discussions from multiple sources, other largely (if not predominately) Christian nations do not suffer from this fanatical resistance to evolution theory (at least not on the same scale). Why is it that other nations have managed to reconcile the idea that their faith can coexist evolution theory, yet so many people here continue to rail against it?
To add to the absurdity, one site that was quoted in the article basically blamed Darwin for all of Hitler's atrocities. Are we to blame the inventor of the crowbar for all of the women Ted Bundy bludgeoned? Are we to blame the Wright brothers, or even da Vinci, for the WTC attacks? Is it not a testament to the absurdity of their stance that they must invoke the Holocaust to cast the opposing viewpoint in a sinister light?
What will it take for people like this to stop having to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future?
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Yup, which makes the whole thing even more absurd. The film is more about his personal struggle with religion and science. It isn't a documentary on evolution theory. But since it doesn't demonize him for it, it's clearly too controversial for US audiences.:facepalm:
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I mean, thats the first thing I'd think of, but I guess bashing the US is a close second
It does not jibe, at all, with the country I see around me every day.
We are not afraid of Darwin over here. The crackpots might be, but they are a (shrinking) minority. Textbooks talk about Darwin ad nauseam, and Creationists have to fight, tooth and nail, to get their viewpoint more than a few paragraphs worth of discussion.
This literally makes no sense to me.
I mean, it'd be like making a movie about the circumnavigation and saying it can be licensed everywhere but USA because of there's so many 'Flat Earthers' here. It just doesn't make ANY sense.
There HAS to be more to this story..
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Ehh... Fur would fly. As far as vocal minorities go, the religious right are right up there with the best of them. Of course, when they do stir up a controversy over a book or movie, it amounts to free publicity. Which makes this a bad business call, but doesn't mean it's not why it happened.
The creationists have considerably more numbers, resources, and sheer volume than the Flat Earthers (who may or may not just be playing a big joke on all the rest of us).
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
Not bashing the US (you'll notice I live here too, and for the record I love it here). But that doesn't mean there aren't things over here that could and should change. And one is the surprisingly prevelant disdain for evolution theory. Hell, here's a school that pulled evolution themed t-shirts because of fears of religious backlash.
EDIT: To be clarify, the official reason was "they had to remain religion neutral," which is of course silly since evolution has nothing to do with religion. The honest concern was that the parents would see evolution as a conflict with their religion and throw a fit.
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This is what i was thinking... While i dont watch trash like Saw 1-20, I know why others do. Shows like this in america are generally relegated to history channels specials..In fact the amount of specials over it kind of points towards it simply being a boring thing.
And its full of educated religious people that are "blinded" by faith. Just saying you might be making a boogeyman out of the opposition.
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
So we have an interesting dilemma. Did the American distributors reject "Creation" because:
a) They thought it would cause controversy among a vocal minority of American viewers, because of the subject matter;
b) Or, they thought it was "too boring" for the majority of American viewers, because of the subject matter?
Either one of these represents a sad state of affairs for American public perception of... well, things.
Very Well Then I Contradict Myself.
As PZ Meyers said
He linked to an ebert "not a review" of the movie, where he mentions a gallup poll where only some 40% of american believe in evolution.
QFT. I'm sure it has nothing to do with being controversial and more to do with that fact that American moviegoers aren't going to pay $10 to see this.
Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded.
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To wit, Bill Maher's movie about religion was released, as was the 'satirical' Conservative Christmas Carol.
Neither did well, but Maher's movie made more...and cost considerably less to make.
But in general, this does sound like a history channel thing, rather than a movie movie.
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This movie would just suck in the box office, hands down.
That quote about the "valley of the dead movies" is a good point. The thing that bothers me though is that there's enough negative vibe to keep the movie at bay. Even if the segment is smaller than a lot of sources would have us believe, the fact that the segment is a strong and vocal as it is is disturbing to me. The segment does exist, and it is larger than it should be and far larger than I could ever be comfortable with.
True, those movies did launch over here (though as you said, they did poorly). Though I think their shock factor helped them a lot in avoiding the "valley". And yes, it does seem a History Channel-ish movie, but plenty of movies of that kind do get distributed over here. That this one is seen negatively enough to not saddens me.
Yes, the segment that rails against this is not as large as a lot of sources would have us believe (the gallup poll mentioned drew criticism over the question wording, if I'm not mistaken). Yet the fact remains that the segment exists, is larger than it should be in a nation as scientifically advanced as ours, and has repeatedly shown itself to be loud enough and well-funded enough to effect change in the way businesses, schools, and even local governments handle the subject.
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"according to its producer" is the key words here. According to the opinion of one man, that's why.
It could just be that the film either hasn't found someone who thinks it would sell, or that it's just in the limbo that many foreign films get in finding a US distributor. Knee-jerk assumption that it's because there's controversy over evolution is, though not without possibility of being true, not considering other possibilities.
It could just be that the potential for profit isn't high. Studios are hurting in the recession you know.
I think this is sad people can't just watch this with an open mind and form their own oppinions. It is like they are afraid of learning more.
"We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are." Anias Nin
"The search for love is but the honest searching out of everything that interferes with love."
"When my heart is at peace, the world is at peace." Chinese proverb
Orrrrr Its just boring. >_>
I give up. People don't listen or read in this thread
I mean, all sorts of movies do get released that give the religious right conniptions. And while I think Darwin's life was reasonably fascinating, I really would have no interest in watching a theatrical reconstruction of (some parts of) it. I could always read the books. As for movies, I prefer to send my hard-earned dollars the way of those that make me think by way of grim and gritty CGI allegory (Pan's Labyrinth, District 9, etc.).
Even Kids made it into the theater, but that wouldn't have been such a big deal if it wasn't good enough to generate some buzz.
In some sense. The only good fnord is a dead fnord.
Here is the link.
This appears to have just been sensationalism, to drum up controversy about the movie. Seems to have worked pretty well, too.
Maybe they'll "boycott" it because it belongs on The Discovery Channel and isn't worth the $10 ticket to see.
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