The America depicted in Civil War is not half as alarming as the real one | Emma Brockes
With Donald Trump and the Capitol Hill riots in court, the studiously apolitical vibe of this dystopia feels like a cop-out
As the supreme court heard arguments relating to the 6 January riot and Donald Trump sat in a criminal court in Manhattan, cinemas across America have been showing scenes from an imagined world after the end of democracy. The movie Civil War, written and directed by Alex Garland, depicts a conflict-ridden US in which rebel forces battle to overthrow the government. As a thought experiment, this would be a lot more fun in a year in which a man with 91 felony charges wasn’t standing for his second term as president. As it is, the film currently at No 1 at the US box office is under some pressure to say something meaningful about where we are now.
Civil War does have things to say: about how war is bad, and violence corrupts, and once things get under way people exploit the chaos for all sorts of reasons – which explains the presence of Florida in the film’s imagined secessionist uprising. It’s a gripping ride that, depending on your view, is either shrewdly non-partisan in a way that assumes the audience can fill in the gaps for themselves (the New York Times), an empty but entertaining romp with lots of explosions (the New Yorker) or a provocation to liberals who don’t understand what movies are for (the Hollywood Reporter). Meanwhile, in court this week, prospective jurors in the former president’s hush money trial were warned to keep details of themselves confidential, to preserve against the possibility of juror intimidation – the kind of deep background detail in which the film has no interest.
Continue reading...Date: |
Filter
-
Column: No one has more contempt for America than Donald Trump himself
Being found in contempt of court in his ongoing hush money trial is just the latest example: The former president has no respect for the country or citizens he's running to lead.Los Angeles Times - Entertainment - Donald Trump -
Russia is trying to exploit America’s divisions over the war in Gaza
In its information war against the U.S., Russia is seeking to exploit divisions over Israel’s offensive in Gaza to aggravate political tensions among Americans.NBC News - Top stories - Russia -
Apple working to fix alarming iPhone issue
Users have been reporting unexpected lie-ins after the alarms on their phones failed to go off.BBC News - Top stories - Apple -
Lufthansa Expects Second-Half Improvement
Lufthansa said it expects an improvement in its second-half operating result, with capacity seen at more than 95% of prepandemic levels in the third quarter, but cautioned that unit revenue will fall in the next three months.The Wall Street Journal - Business -
Civil servants in court challenge over Rwanda law
The government argues the act, passed last week, does not breach the law or the civil service code.BBC News - Top stories -
UNICEF alarmed at plight of children in conflict-hit southern Lebanon
Yahoo News - World -
These are the most dangerous jobs in America
Wyoming and North Dakota had the highest rate of employee fatalities, according to an analysis from labor union AFL-CIOCBS News - Top stories -
America's New Mob Rule
As on today’s college campuses, the left increasingly resorts to fomenting disorder to get its way.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Adults, not students, are America’s problem
Campus protests are being routinely mishandledFinancial Times - Business -
Wanted: Megabank Chief Willing to Work for Half Pay
HSBC, one of the world’s largest banks, is looking for a new CEO to run its sprawling operations at a fraction of the pay of a U.S. bank boss.The Wall Street Journal - World
More from The Guardian
-
Top New York prosecutor says 280 people arrested at campus protests; California governor condemns UCLA violence – live
Alvin Bragg says his office ‘will make decisions based on the facts and the law’; Gavin Newsom says, ‘The right to free speech does not extend to inciting violence’. Police clear encampments and arrest hundreds on campusesViolence erupts at UCLA ...The Guardian - World - California -
Arizona senate passes repeal of 1864 near-total abortion ban
Democrats pick up support of two Republicans to repeal 1864 law reinstated three weeks ago as governor is expected to ratify repeal. An effort to repeal Arizona’s 160-year-old statute banning nearly all abortions has received enough votes in the ...The Guardian - World - Abortion -
Israel under pressure to let more aid into Gaza as hostage talks continue
Antony Blinken holds two-hour meeting with Netanyahu while Hamas considers ceasefire proposal. Israel’s leaders were under renewed pressure to allow more aid into Gaza on Wednesday after the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, told Benjamin ...The Guardian - World - Israel -
Borussia Dortmund v PSG: Champions League semi-final, first leg – live
Minute-by-minute updates on the action at Signal Iduna ParkAny thoughts or comments? Feel free to email Scott5 min: Dortmund see plenty of the ball. Sancho popping up all over the place as well, already looking far more confident and assured when ...The Guardian - World - UEFA Champions League -
Canada: bitter clash in parliament over Trudeau ‘wacko’ jibe
Parliamentary questions dominated by partisan attacks a day after Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre ejected from chamber. Canada’s Liberal and Conservative parties have redoubled their parliamentary clash a day after the Tory leader was ejected ...The Guardian - World