MovieChat Forums > It's All About Love (2003) Discussion > Great film although Americans will not u...

Great film although Americans will not understand it.


I thought 'Its All About Love' was a great film but it was an exercise in putting a wolf in sheeps clothing. The film really is all about love and made with a great love of the traditions of cinema both American and European. It reminded me of films like Alphaville.

Its not really set in the future. Its just a polemic about the fact there isn't enough love in this world. What happens in the world outside ones doorstep is the result of this. I can't really argue with it, I just hope Americans can work out the message. I think however they will react badly with this film. They are too used to being drip fed their movie plots from Hollywood, and too used to having their egos massaged into being told that their illegal war with Iraq is actually a hard but right decision to make. It's not.

I think Vinterberg must be a Marxist, as he points out that it is better to dye freezing in the lost wastes, than take part of a society that uses you until you are left dying in the streets.

Give me a Vinterberg film everyday of the week. Its worth ten Hollywood films.

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not all americans are stupid.

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No, all Americans probably aren't stupid, but I think that you have a cultural problem that seems to infect the generel view on art in America.

When a movie is not featured with a Hollywood plot, the majority of the American writers on this site seem to just unleash a wrath greather than what God himself could pull of a hat.
The main difference in the American and the European (and the rest of the world for that matter) way of looking upon movies, is that Americans see movies just for the entertainment, while the Europeans see movies that make them think and has a message, WHILE they are entertained.

This is my theory, please don't get upset Americans, alot of you are pretty smart. You do make great movies every once in a while, and some of the American post's on this site is not all bad either.

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Thanks for you post - Im glad that you aren't mad that I think Americans are stupid. They aren't. They are often too literal because they worry if everyone GETS IT.

There are many great things about America. Herbert Selby Jr., F Scott Fitzgerald, Vincent Price. I could go on for a long long time...

Your friend hated the film because she doesn't expect films to 'lie' to her, to say one thing and actually be something else. Not all American movies are sugar coated or boring. Some are earnest and violent and clever. All are propaganda, though. Bigger cars, more money and bigger special FXs. Bless you. You are all so earnest, and I think it must really bother you lot that most of the world hates the way you treat them as second class citizens. That to me is what love is. Its not politics or anything else... its love for other people. After all, anybody would help someone if they were dying in the streets. WOULDN'T YOU???????

You might say yes in your mind but in 'reality'. Good solid American reality you are killing people and letting them die because it is easier to ignore it, than to do something about it.

America lets film directors make a couple of films and if they make money they let them make a few more. Lars Von Trier and Vinterberg know this so they use it to make films about America but from a different perspective. And most of you hate it, even if you can understand it.

It's a great idea that you listened to the small country called Denmark because they have a lot more culturally to offer the world than you do at the moment - even with Brokeback mountain and Crash. This year the market is for films about 'feelings' and 'issues'.

I know you just want to feel good about yourselves. That is fine. Just don't forget the people you tortured so that your cars had enough petrol.

People in America HATED DOGVILLE because it didn't have any sets. Its hillarious. Brecht was doing this over HALF a century ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When are you going to catch up with the world we live in.

You have problems with the church preaching that Darwin's evolution isn't true and it being taken SERIOUSLY. That is not just worrying - the fact that you let it happen is a joke.

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I think that one of the largest barriers to peace and understanding of other cultures is the use of generalizations. When you make generalizations about a group of people, you assume that they are all the same when in fact this is not true. Americans, for example, are one of the most diverse people in the world (if not the most diverse). By Americans, I mean people who live in the United States, as all peoples of the American continents are Americans. There are over 300 million of us in the United States, do you honestly think that we are all the same? We are diverse in many ways, including ideologically. There are many millions of Americans who have opposed the war since Bush first issued the ultimatum. It is offensive to me when people claim that we are allowing people to die when many of us dedicate our lives to peace and helping others. There are protests against the war every day, all over the country. Millions are contributing their time and money to political campaigns so that we can replace politicians who are corrupt, ignorant, and incompetent.

As for the movie, what prevented me from enjoying it was that it was trite and pretentious. The acting and directing were excellent for the most part; I look forward to seeing more of Vinterberg’s work in the future. My friends and I love watching movies that make us think. However, I think it is silly to suggest that there is not enough love in the world. I have lived in the United States, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Norway and have friends from every corner of the earth. I know from experience that there is love everywhere. To cite a lack of love as the source of our problems today is naive and overly simplistic. If there were a single source of our problems (although I believe that it is much more complicated than this), it would be fear.

For those of you who have been patient enough to read this post, thank you. I realize that I may not have changed anybody’s mind about Americans, but I hope that I have at least made you think. I believe that it is especially important that we don’t make generalizations and assumptions about other cultures; if everybody understood this, we would all be much better off. Now I shall step off of my soap box. Thank you for reading and I welcome responses.

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Are you saying that love actually is all around?

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"It is a shame that we do not have more leaders like Winston Churchill today."

What do you think that Winston Churchill would do if his country was attacked? He was one of the few who was able to recognize evil in his time and to deal with it aggressively (much like Tony Blair).

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Do you still welcome responses?
I thoroughly enjoyed your posting, actually the perspective and cultural understanding aspect of it. It also gave a voice to the "oh well" feeling I had when reading the posting(s) you replied to, the "ouch" of being confronted with single culture opinions and generalizations.
I don't share your opinion about the movie at all, but if I imagine a conversation about it, none of us could convince the other to like or dislike it , but I guess the point would be to catch a glimpse of what the other person might see in it.

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I'm not American either, but I must say, you seem like one pompous *beep* Talk about generalizing a whole nation. Most American's are not stupid nor do they all walk around talking on their cell with a hotdog sticking out the side of their mouths. Seriously. Get a grip.
It's a film. Some will get it, while some will not. Culture has nothing to do with it.

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thorwl^

Gladdens my heart a bit that you put in that disclaimer at the end of your post because the other remarks were rather stereotypical, don't apply just to 'Americans’ (I assume by that you mean USA-Americans), and appear to be based on a rather restricted demographic (posters on IMDB).

Many people who love other-than-Hollywood films do not post on IMDB.

Coming on IMDB and, frankly, bashing USA citizens as one homogenous group is unfairly biased.

To say that 'Americans' only appreciate 'entertainment' and not 'art' is quite the sweeping generalization.

And, what art is to one person is (?) to another, and visa-versa? Are you saying that there is only one art form or interpretation that is valid?

It doesn't take USA citizenship (and this country is quite multi-cultural by the way) to love Hollywood movies, nor does it take citizenship outside the USA to love other types of movies from other countries.




"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois

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Samayres, I don't know why you would bash American's about this film. You seem to have a one track ignorant mind. What a shame. Many great films came out of Hollywood. Mabe you need to step off your high horse.

That said, I think this film has little to do w/ love and alot to do with greed. So much greed in fact that family members are willing to clone loved ones and kill the family member that has a physical illness just to have the clones take over that persons life to keep the money coming in. Yes, John and Elena had true love. So did John's brother. But Elena's father and brother wanted her dead. Hmmmm..."It's All About Love"...no It's All About Greed and Stupidity!!!!

"Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts." -Jim Morrison

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I have actually said in my post that GREAT films have come out of America!!! I have said that there are too many great cultural things about America to mention!!!!!! How is that bashing America? That isn't the point.

The USA drew worldwide criticism for failing to adopt the greatest international agreement for the reduction of some greenhouse gases, The Kyoto Protocol, which has been accepted by nearly every other country. This is despite the fact that the USA is by a massive margin the world's biggest polluter and very disproportionately so. President bush has repeatedly stated that he will not adopt such protocols if they harm American economy. Commercialism and greed overcome all common sense and thought for the welfare of future generations. This failure causes hatred not only of the Bush administration, but of American commercialism in general.

This hatred (greed) on a social level is caused by an abscence of love and empathy with the world around you and to each other. I don't believe that is naive - I just think that is stating a simple fact.

I think fundamental policies such as owning a gun are representation of the sickness that America suffers from.

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P.S

pumkin_escobar - Churchill??? I wouldn't want more politicians like Churchill at all. Churchill was voted out of office as soon as the war ended. Churchill was responsible for the Dresden fire storm along with bomber Harris, causing the deaths of some 635,000 civilian people.

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Wow. I watched this movie a few nights ago was still thinking about it. I clicked on this link to hoping that some of the symbolism would be explained, like the flying Ugandans. Was it just supposed to be another example of the strange occurences happening on Earth, or was it symbolic that people were flying (something about freedom and the human spirit, and why was it Uganda?)

This American understood the message just fine and appreciated the movie for its artistic value and interesting ideas. I think the message of this movie would be clear to any American who views it. Bush's war in Iraq has nothing to do with the fact that people may not like this movie. It is reasonable for someone to understand something and not like it. I understand the attitudes and cultures that led to rap music, but that doesn't mean I like it.

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Vinterberg interview: “But of course, flying Ugandans is a comment on the absurdness of the amount of horror we watch on television screens without paying attention to it.”

Uganda suffered under Idi Amin and is only starting to recover. I should imagine its a poetic metaphor for the turn around of events.

Idi Amin was a complete war monger a bit like your president Bush.

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Anyone who reads your post will realise that your a little slow.
I can't believe how you can write such drivel???!!?? I can't really be bothered to corrected you - why not read a book.

I just think you ought to start seeing the world beyond your doorstep.



Communism is basically dead? Good point.

Have you heard of a country called China?

"We have approximately 15 years before China overtakes the US"

"Every man, woman and child in America imports approximately $16 worth of foreign product and they only export $9 so there's a gap of several dollars a day for every man, woman and child - multiplied by 282 million people, multiplied by 365 days a year, equals $US650 billion a year which is bigger than most countries GDP by a mile...that's how deficit is financed...by the Chinese and Japanese banks buying American government debt,"

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Can I get myself a cowboy hat too like you.

I didn't really give you my opion about what I think about Communism, cowboy.

I was just pointing out that world might not be how you see it... thats economics.

Can I get a gun and some stars too.


"We have approximately 15 years before China overtakes the US"

"Every man, woman and child in America imports approximately $16 worth of foreign product and they only export $9 so there's a gap of several dollars a day for every man, woman and child - multiplied by 282 million people, multiplied by 365 days a year, equals $US650 billion a year which is bigger than most countries GDP by a mile...that's how deficit is financed...by the Chinese and Japanese banks buying American government debt,"

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You win. I bow to your clearly superior knowledge of film and politics.

Communist guilt? Yes. That must be it. Damn commies. I thought McCarthy had got rid of 'em.


Which was your favourite scene in 'All about love', my cinephile friend?

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Thanks for your post.

To clear up a few points...

1. I described you in the following:
"The person who wrote the post (Jessica_Weasfoy) obviously has a more balanced understand of the situation than you. (SIGNORE)"

I suggest that you see DOGVILLE - Jessica_Weasfoy. As that too is a great film.

2. I have never described Americans as stupid. I just infered that the VAST majority of country would have a problem with the film (SIGNORE) and would not be comfortable with the metaphors. It is a proven fact that people from different cultures read information differently - Go and look at some Japanese art and you will realise they don't see the world the same as you.

3. "Great film although Americans will not understand it." Is a generalisation that is generally true. Are you telling me that SIGNORE understands it. I don't think he does.

4. Im not JUST calling anyone names. I am trying to point out that actually China will overtake USA as the leading superpower in just 15 years. Where as according to SIGNORE communism is DEAD! This isn't jealousy of your country, its just a fact.

4. I have "listened' to SIGNORE's point of view but all I can say is it ignorant. Yours isn't (because you have rationalised your arguement). SIGNORE is unable to express himself and when it does it is often just words he has picked up from the news media. There really isn't anything to listen to. He seems to think America didn't start the Iraq war and that Europe are just trouble makers. Both aren't statements are just factually wrong.

5. Americans are diverse etc. but how come nobody outside America can criticise your countries actions?

6. I loved the film and I will quite happily talk about it. This isn't an impossible arguement just because the other person I am talking to supports George Bush and is clearly unable to argue without insulting the other person. I think these things need to said.

You are actually commiting some really dark human rights abuses, right now. Torture sanctioned on a government level.

At least realise that your country is responsible for the killing and torturing of innocent people who haven't even been through a legal system.

I can't believe that a pro George Bush supporter says that it was Britain that started the war!! Its such a strange thing to say.



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I think it is fairly clear now, who is able to empathise and who isn't.

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Wow, i just finished 'It's all about love' and was quite perplexed by it. I just wanted to see what others had see throught it and found some of your observations quite interesting. I never thought i would see such a blatant display of human idiocy on a movie critic site. Really i must say i am impressed. Since the film talks so much about how there is not enough positive emotion in the world and how it will eventually become the most powerful reason behind earth destruction, i could not see a better fitting conversation or example of this (Thank you signore, i now see that inside us all lies a little frustrated Hitler) Oh! how the world could be a more beautiful place if we only felt a little more...

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As an American who thinks American foreign policy is down the chutes, I just want to mention that Americans do NOT get cheaper oil since the war on Iraq. As a matter of fact, the price has more than doubled since that war began.

This imperialism is not really the imperialism of Americans but of a global elite who will not even allow Americans to have their votes even count anymore. Diebold computers and others are KNOWN to be hackable, and counties in the presidential election where there were only 5,000 voters registered shows up with 7,000 votes (most for Bush of course).

I just want to say that just as you Europeans try to sell Americans not to believe everything they see in the U.S. media and press, (and yes, some Americans really do still believe that stuff but NOT more than half of us -- I really believe that!). I just want to point out that who is running the big guns in the U.S. is NOT representative of the majority here, and also that even the press you read about "us Americans" is only a reflection of the worst of us -- those who have indeed been manufactured and cloned by The System here via schools, media, government, etc.

Many people with the most money in U.S. are the more ignorant and uncaring types and it is their money that is felt most in consumerism. I am not saying that all well-to-do or wealthy Americans are bad people, but personally I have seen most of the higher consciousness among those who don't have the money to affect market trends as much. In the U.S. money is power -- over just about everything, including what movies we see.

But there are lots and lots and lots of us out here who are not American clones of idiocy.

However those of us in U.S. who are anti-war have been labeled by our own government as "domestic terrorists" ever since the late '80s / early '90s. It is basically illegal to be against the party line in America now, and the government is spying on its own people without warrants and without apology. There are even secret courts now, where no one has to know who was arrested, why or what happened to them.

Really we are in a very strange place. Please do not think that there are not MANY of us who realize this.

BTW I much prefer European movies to Hollywood formula movies and always have!

Cheers

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Sorry, I got as far as 'global elite'........

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The war in the Iraq is the opening guns of WW3, its 1933 and Hitler(Islamo-fascists) has just come to power except this time the U.S., Britain and a few others recognize the danger and our doing what we did not do in 1933...use military force.
Bush is one on the greatest presidents for foreign policy we have ever had. Much of his domestic policy leaves something to be desired but he realized his primary responsibility is to protect us. Europe, except for Britain, has turned into cowards waiting for the Muslim immigrants to overwhelm them with their numbers.
You should thank your lucky stars that the U.S. is willing to put its blood and treasure on the line to protect your ungrateful ass.

For you Americans who oppose the war...looks like the liberals have done a good job of brainwashing you. "Peace, Love, disarm" leads to many more 9/11's. Maybe an Iranian/terrorist atomic bomb going off in one of our cities will waken you up..or, more likely, you'll ask "what did we do wrong to get people so angry at us?" remember Pearl Harbor? I'm sure you have a justification for what the Japanese did there as well.

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"Bush is one on the greatest presidents for foreign policy we have ever had."

You must be out of your mind. Perhaps you COULD say he is the best president for CORPORATIONS in TEXAS.

What about Christian fascists? Your Christian fascists can't even except that Darwin was right.

Hitler wasn't dealt with? I think he was when he invaded Poland in 1940.

Protect my 'ass' from WHAT? Saddam Hussein was dictator who specialised in killing his own people.

Europe turned into cowards? I don't think that is actually true. I think they saw that it would be a bad idea to invade Iraq. I hardly would call Germany cowards? Would you.

Muslim immigrants to overwhelm them with their numbers? Yes, I am waiting for the tidal wave of Muslim surging into Europe. Get real.

"You should thank your lucky stars that the U.S. is willing to put its blood and treasure on the line to protect your ungrateful ass."

Ah! We are starting to get to the truth. The U.S are like the cavalry. John Wayne. Right. Its not to protect your fading 'empire'. Get off it. The only buildings you protect in Iraq is the American embassy and the oil fields.

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n13/harr04_.html

The American government is being investigated for torturing prisioners in countries with poor human rights records. IS THIS AN EXAMPLE OF FOREIGN POLICY?

You are sadly misguided and factually incorrect.

9/11 - when are you going to actually catch Osma Bin Laden?

I sadly don't remember Pearl Harbour. I do know about the atrocities the Japanese committed against China / Mongolia are probably worse.

Truth is though America dropped the atom bomb, which sadly means that you are unqualified to talk about 'love'. But your country is able to talk about dark acts against human rights.

EYE FOR AN EYE. Is that what you are suggesting? It is the forgien policy of a moron.


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As a sane American, I do beseech you, on behalf of the other sane Americans, to SHUT UP.

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Right on to Monkeythrowingfeces for pointing out the irony here (though I wouldn't have expected it from somebody with that handle). Maybe IMDb should prevent people from replying to a post until 24 hours after they've read it, as a cooling-off and _thinking_ period. Nobody should post on the internet when they're worked up, if only because we don't choose our words carefully enough when we're emotional.

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You are an idiot.

Tony Blair followed Bush (the Texan oil baron) into the war. There is a clue there. That is why in Britain they called him Bush's Poodle.

There isn't a coalation, its basically America and Britain.

Although Britain hasn't been torturing as many America has. Abu Greib? Heard of it numbskull.

It is also coming out that the CIA has been torturing people in countries with a bad human rights records - ie flying them in unmarked planes.

The person who wrote the post obviously has a more balanced understand of the situation than you.

Can I suggest you watch less America news media - could I suggest the BBC or even Al jazeera (yes - they are still around after TONY BLAIR persuaded your monkey of a president not to bomb them)

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I hate to break up the joyous party going on in this thread, but regardless of where he got the information, Bush was the one who led the way. It is not what we say or what we think but what we do that makes all the difference.

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What has the fact I speak English and not German got to do with anything?

The Iraq war is a corrupt war - like the Vietnam war. That doesn't make me a pacifist.

By the way, war with Germamy would have been unwinnable without 'commie' Russia.

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Wow...The theme of this movie becomes even more apparent to me as I read this thread. Sometimes it feels so cold and that's not because it's winter.

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Thanks Kreative.
Thats the point i was trying to exploit....i agree.
Alright maybe it`s time we put this discussion to silence, i think everything has been covered and someone needs to stop Signore`s useless drabble.

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I agree - I am totally fed up with it.
But I thinks its a case of Signore 'hanging himself on his own rope'.

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Does anyone have a job here?

Looks like a case of people pushing their opinions on each other to try and prove themselves superior or maybe just correct. I think it was best said earlier.....please, please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD put your energy and intelligence (or lack there of in some cases)towards something that is actually WORTH fighting for like extra vacation days!

Thanks,
the management

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Yeah because Americain imperialism is like, totally stupid, to even argue about.

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