Very good


This was a perfect addition to the Children of Men DVD. I really enjoyed the short (half hour) documentary and all of the thinking that it forces you to do.

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True, a very nice special feature on the DVD of a great film.

"I can only wait for the final amnesia, the one that can erase an entire life." - Luis Buñuel

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Yes. It is excellent. Great to have it on the DVD of COM. Great critique of capitalism in the late stage we see now.

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I loved Children of Men. It was incredibly realistic and a great accuse to some of the Immigration policies accepted in the world today. Although, I think the documentary is the most partial, not objective film I've ever seen. He interviewed just anti-global advocates, giving the idea that anything America and the western world is doing today is wrong and dangerous. As an immigrant in the United States, I can say that it wouldn't be fair if all immigrants were considered criminals. But I am a legal immigrant, and there are rules to respect. However, I understand that some people, starving to death, move from their countries with reasons, and I respect their courage. Anyway, Naomi Klein, the great architect of the anti-globalization movement, should respect her country, and try to talk about inequality in Saudi Arabia and Cuba. She should go there, and say to the Saudi nobles to leave their posessions to the poor people. I don't think she would be listened. Capitalism is sure not the best political system, extreme capitalism is even worse. But saying that everything we have is wrong and bad for anyone else, is wrong as well. All extremes are WRONG, and dangerous. I've been in Cuba, a supposed wellfare state. It's not, and people don't have the right to talk. So extreme globalization is bad for all western economies and for people exploited in their countries, but anti-globalization is wrong as well. Also, gated communities are the only way to protect people in certain areas. Don't you think there are gated communities in China, Cuba, North Korea? Do you really think Fidel Castro doesn't have bodyguards and guards at the front-gates? I'm not going to talk about terrorism, I really don't want to. But the brain of all terrorist attacks are not poor people, but extremely rich people. As always, these people don't understand that the only ones who suffer from their speeches are the middle-class people. In America, poor people don't almost have to pay taxes, and rich people are rich enough to afford 40% of taxes they have to pay. In the end, who has problems and troubles paying mortgage, school and other things is always the middle-class. They want to talk about communism? Sure. A system in which everyone is enslaved by the state, in which people need to stay in line for hours for a loaf of bread and politicians are rich in their fancy houses, probably houses of someone who has been kicked out to let someone of the party to live in them (it happened all the time). There are a lot of inequalities in the capitalist system. A lot of flaws and mistakes have been done. That doesn't mean that we should turn to communist or anti-globalization ideologies, simply because communism has failed not just against the USA, but it failed towards its own people, because as it happened in Eastern Germany, people were tired of being enslaved by the party, they wanted food, wealth and at least the chance of a new and better life. Sure, I'd love a world without gates, walls and barriers. But with no rules, and uncontrolled migrations, we wouldn't know who, among the people come in the country, has bad intentions against the people living in that very country. As I said, all extremes are wrong and I am so sad, because I loved Children of Men and i didn't want to see it turned into an anti-global, anti-american, anti-democratic speech. Democracy has so many flaws and holes, but it's still better than a dictatorship. Don't forget that our companies exploit Chinese workers. But the Chinese government, still communist, allows that to happen. So, ok saying that America and the Western World are guilty of many mistakes, but don't forget other people's mistakes. To anti-globalization advocates I'd say: you don't like McDonald's, I know. I am Italian and a lot of people are anti-globalization. So what do they do? they destroys shops, McDonald's, bank, cars, and autos. That's not really fighting for an ideology. They don't like McDonald's? Ok. But poor people can at least afford a meal at McDonald's because Italian Panini are too expensive for poor people. Is it fair? Maybe not, but at least some people can eat. But let's say that there are non-violent, quiet anti-globalization people. Fair enough. What do they think we should do? They always blame, without giving any solution. Guess what, some people cannot afford an Armani or Prada dress, so they want chinese products, because they are cheaper. You don't want them to buy cheap clothes anymore? Just poor people in the third world count as poor? American or Italian or French poor ones don't count? Don't they have the right to wear something, and to eat something? And what if companies stopped producing their products in China or India? What would happen to Chinese and Indian people, jobless? In an hypothetical world, there wouldn't be gates, walls, borders, and inequality. But we don't live in 'should land' or in 'if world'. That's our world and we have to deal with it, even if it's not fair. Anti-globalization and communist ideologies wouldn't work for the simple fact that they don't consider human inner fears, human feelings and human desires. Bottomline: Children of Men is a GREAT MOVIE with the worst bonus material ever.

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Thank you ninja, a very well thought out post that asks the questions that should have been asked in the documentary. I'm interested to see what the anti-capitalist/anti-globalists can come up with to answer any of these.

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Okay a long post with a lot in it. Okay first off I don’t think anyone in the film were suggesting that a dictatorship is what we should strive for, and the umbrella term anti-globalisation does not mean against everything to do with globalisation but against the exploitation of third world nations and growth and power of multi-national corporations.

I disagree that Naomi Klein and other activists should shift their attention to troubles in other countries, as they are not their countries and can’t really do anything about them. Also a lot of dictatorships and oppressive governments are supported and kept in power by the U.S. and western nations.

I find Cuba very interesting and hope to go there next year to see it for myself. I would argue that the oppression on freedom of speech and actions would not be as harsh if the country wasn’t in such a delicate situation, with the soviet union gone the country’s economy is struggling and constant pressure from the U.S. leaves it very open to collapse. I am not defending the oppression but think about it if the U.S. capitalist system was at the same level of risk the country would be just as oppressive.

I would argue that there would be food just as affordable and healthier available in Italy than McDonalds in most parts of the world. But with clothes and other products it does make it hard for large amounts of the population, it isn’t financially viable to avoid sweatshop products for a lot of people. I would suggest opportunity shops selling second hand clothes and things like freecycle.org but I know that’s not very rational on a large scale.

I think people need change the way they live, realise the things they don’t need and see through the constant barrage encouraging people to buy more and more. As most of it relies on the exploitation of third world nations and limited resources. I think we need to realise that the currant economic growth of most developed nations relies of limited resources (many people argue we have passed or are at peak oil now). And think we need to work towards sustainable smaller economies.

I have only given my view on a few of the things you mentioned, but I would love to discuss things more with anyone.

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You didn't really address or dispute anything that ninja said with any real argument or substance.

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How so? Care to elaborate?

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How can one elaborate on an observation such as that? You are basically asking me to point out where you didn't do something, it doesn't make sense.

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