MovieChat Forums > Flood (2007) Discussion > Why the anti-American slant?

Why the anti-American slant?

posted 16 years ago by epergrem
31 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching the show on ION and was struck by the Anti-American sentiments.

The first occured when the Commissioner was told that the Americans had agreed to send 10 Chinook helicopters. She asked why is it was taking so long and the lack of comment that followed as well as the expression on the other actor's face was pretty revealing.

The question I have is that given the number of citizens that needed to be evacuated and the need for resources.. Why didn't COBRA contact the US military at the offset as well as any other military resources? So now it's America's fault that the civilian authority screwed up?

The other came when the Deputy was talking with the head of the US financial markets(?). Given the severity of the currency markets problems I doubt the two would be talking to each other and if even if they were, the US isn't going to kiss of their strongest ally with a 'you're on your own' attitude.

[–] crillemedk 16 years ago

You better get used to not being liked!
I´m glad there are movies that doesn´t have the american flag in almost every scene.

Go Europe!

[–] akridine1 16 years ago

It's anti-american because its wasn't made in america. When will americans relise the world hates them?

[–] rjb2112 16 years ago

The film wasn't anti-American. The scene in question showed a tension from a set of circumstances.

My wife lived in America for over over 40 years, and I have a lot of very good friends in America. So I feel I have a bit of an insight on the subject of America and anti-Americanism.

In America patriotism is very important to the people (on the whole). They carved their country on the principles of independence and freedom. They then went on to become the most powerful nation in the World, Although that probably will no longer be the case within the next 10-20 years.

Americans are proud of what they have achieved, but they have (as a rule) little idea of the World outside of America. You'd be surprised how many Americans were surprised that the UK is not a third World nation, including my wife's college professor daughter.

Anyway, it seems to me that a lot of people in the World have a lot of problems with the patriotism of America, especially when it is jingoistic. Also the current administration have alienated the American people even further. It is often conceived that The Americans do what they like and if you don't like it, then tough. This doesn't make many friends.

I personally have a great love of America and it's citizens. I understand why they are so patriotic and I accept it. It is indoctrinated into the population from a very young age. Starting the school day with the pledge of allegiance, and the media portrayal that the USA is always right. Fox news is a classic example of this.

But the unenlightened part of the American population would gain a lot from realising that the rest of the World is far more advanced than they realise.

For example: I have never seen such poverty in the Western World as I have seen in parts of the USA.

My wife is disabled and we have a far better quality of life in England than we could ever possibly have in the USA.

Now to balance things back the other way;

The American people are wonderful. I totally love them.

Never confuse American people with their countries politics.

Not all Americans are blinkered to the outside World.

American people are generally very polite.

The American people do not deserve the America bashing they receive, although I can't say the same for their politicians.

American food is great. I cook it at home a lot. Trust me it isn't just burgers and pizza, lol.

American culture is fantastic.

If you are American and feel this post is anti-American, then chances are you are jingoistic. If you are a non American and feel this post is too pro-American, then chances are you are an America basher.

One final point: The UK is not better or worse than the USA, it is just different. Some things we are better at, some America are better at. After all our nations do have a bond that is closer than our political alliance. Just remember, we are two nations separated by the same language! :p

The Movies On Air RadioKen & Roger Show Sun 2pm ET/7pm UK http://www.tmoaradio.com/news.php

[–] humphrey-2 16 years ago

It's not anti-American. It's just you are so used to seeing American movies.

Believe me, many many US movies have an undercurrent of mistrust of non-US people and ideas, even if that is not part of the movie. Look at how often a British or other European actor is cast as a villain. Their nationality is never mentioned, but somehow their foreignness is part of their character. Something sets them apart morally or ethically from the American characters. People outside the US are just used to this in American movies, but it does get very old.

[–] Ambrosia7 16 years ago

I dont see an anti American slant at all, the americans were not mentioned apart from the helicopter comment mentioned - which i didnt hear either, and the economy scenes. For the record the guy in the video call was NOT American, so thats hardly anti American. Oh not to mention the representitive from the Us side of the pond being the main character - YES I KNOW she is Canadian and not American but it still represents a similar accent and the section of the world. The same way NewZealanders and Australians boost the Polynesian and Australasian image.
Or is the fact that she is Canadian classed as an Anti American slur also??

And how many films have Anti English slurs, it is far more common place in American movies, i just wish i had time to list the many films i have seen that in! If its not a slur about bad teeth (only people who havent been to england say people have bad teeth, quite obvously not seen them in real life)its about being posh or uptight. There have been jokes made in 'Friends' on MANY occasions!

Get a grip, man, you can always find anti something in films. it could be classed as anti fat because everyone in the film was thin, anti smoking due to the statements about being in a no smoking area, anti age as the comments about the staff of a care home abandoning the residents and the old woman being the first to die at the beginning.....the list goes on......

Theres always something for someone to be offended at, lets get a grip on reality stop this overt P.C nonsense and talk about the things that are really important like global warming, the Tibetan crisis, poverty, the Burma cyclone deaths. The list can go on. I think in light of that, any minor slurs you feel were delivered can be brushed off

[–] amanda-friend 16 years ago

I thought it was slightly anti-American. Thre was the bit about the Americans not helping with the economy because they were too selfish, they dragged their heels with the helicopters and the only character with a North American accent went to great lengths to point out she was Canadian.

I'm English and don't give a stuff either way, but I got the feeling it was, so there! The whole film was a waste of four hours of my life anyway!

The Code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.

[–] ib011f9545i 16 years ago

I don't think it had a strong anti American slant,I did not see one anyway.
I think some people look for anti Americanism in everything.

If you are an American who has never been to Britain or mainland europe and you think we are all anti American please come to Britain and hopefully you will find that most people are not anti American.

The bit about the financial markets was confusing to me,don't we have a world financial system with London as a very important part of it,second only to wall street?,so the destruction of London and the disruption of the stock markets and the insurance business of Lloyds would be a huge blow to the world economy.
So America and the world bank and IMF would need to help.

As for the rescue help,Britain is part of NATO and France,Belgium and Holland are close to the south of England,sure they would send helicopters and medical units.

How many military units does America have in Western Europe nowadays anyway?
It is not the cold war when there were lots of air bases and ground troops.

American forces helped in 1953 when Britain and Holland were flooded,sure they would do so again if they could.

[–] mslade69 16 years ago

Not sure about the Anti American thing, but could be the USA does'nt know their arse from their elbow?
Not sure, what do yall think?

We're gonna find out who's the Thing!

R J MacReady

[–] xylophonefairy 16 years ago

I never notice Anti-Americanism. I rarely notice slurs against the British, the only one I ever notice was in Friends when Ross yells "We saved you ass in the WAR!" having just been totally thrashed at rugby.

There are some cultural differences where I kind of roll my eyes, like at American Football. But, y'know, I also roll m eyes at the French veteran soldiers I saw fighting and at Lederhosen. It's one of the things that makes the world interesting.

I'm going off on a tangent. I never notice these things any more. But if anyone was seriosuly offended by the supposed Anti-American slurs in this film then you kind of need to get out of yourself a bit, srsly.

[–] kitchenaut-1 12 years ago

Both the book and the film were written during the Bush administration, when anti-American sentiment in Europe was really very high, and the US was seen as thuggish and stupid in its foreign policy (and domestic with Katrina).

Still, if only Bono and Sean Penn had teamed up as an Irish-US alliance to save the old empire... I think that script was being offered about until people realised it wasn't the mid-nineties.

[–] ConnorWolf 12 years ago

I'm an American and who gives a crap about what direction this film took. I personally didn't see any Anti-American slant but still thought it was not the best movie. Can that be fair enough. Even if this film was indeed Anti-American, who cares. I would have still watched it because I like movies in this genre. I ask on behalf of all Americans who have better things to do then complain about something so trivial in a movie that you Brits should make a truly Anti-American film. Just to see what the response is. Bash the *beep* out of us cause many of us can take it. If you make it a comedy I will love it. Anti-American my ass who cares. Is Red Dawn Anti-American cause the Russians invaded and were successful? No!!!! It is just a drama with good guys and bad guys. I like the fact that you Brits are our allie but whats the point of friends if you can't poke fun at each other. Keep making your films cause there are a lot that I like (any from Danny Boyle)and please if it is good for the story, make fun of us Yankees cause at the end of the day I know any one of you would join us from a drink. Have a good day and as you Brits would say it, cheers!!!!

[Pro-American enough to not give a *beep*

[–] gtbarker 8 years ago

That's an 'anti-American' slant? You mustn't watch many US films where they trash just about any country that's not the US or Israel at will. It just amazes me you think those comments are anti-American and worth even mentioning.

'Well I've got two words for you - STFU'