MovieChat Forums > Happiness Runs (2010) Discussion > propaganda

propaganda

posted 14 years ago by jordan-202
17 replies | jump to latest

another in a long line of anti counterculture movies designed to stop resistance to corporate capitalism.

while there are many many intentional communities and communities that have been started in recent years, there has not been a new community built around a guru in 30 years. look at the wonderful work of diana leif christian - her research on what has been learnd about effective community living is outstanding.

there are creaps in counterculture but just as many creeps in any living situation- this film makes it seem like anyone who grew up on a commune was exposed to horrible conditions. total bs

[–] wearyourlove 14 years ago

Uh, I don't think so. From the trailer it appears that the movie is just focusing on one specific commune and some kids from it who have grown up damaged and confused. It's not speaking for all countercultures, obviously, and to think that would be to think that, oh, all Italians are gangsters because of The Godfather.

The movie's not saying countercultures can't be good, it's just showing you one that had negative effects upon its participants. And I think that's a really interesting perspective, because we don't usually think of that.

[–] duvv 14 years ago

From the trailer and synopsis, it's quite clear the focus of this film is that the exposure to rampant drug use and choreographed sexual partnerships at too young an age to process such information is what's so damaging to young psyches, precisely what the filmmaker encountered in his own youth.

[–] vanillainflux 14 years ago

agreed. and to what extent are they providing a free counter society if simply a 'different' set of rules to that of 'normal' society are forced upon its citizens? how is that of any use?
the outbreak of such societies was to counteract the harsh years that preceded it. the concept has always existed of course, but there was a huge outbreak during the 70s. anything that springs from direct opposition has its limitations.

it's a dirty world Reich, say what you want

[–] jordan-111 14 years ago

I saw the film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and it was extraordinary. Very beautiful and very intense. It's dark and depressing and truly revealing about about the manner in which some of the utopian dreams of the 60s went bad. The film stayed with me for days after seeing it.

[–] starsykaaaa 14 years ago

I don't think the point is anti counterculture. especially since it was done by strand releasing,
take a look at the movies they've done: www.strandreleasing.com

anyway, i think like others said, it is specifically the experience in this specific community.
and although utopian ideals seem more pure to me, and to some,
it looks like this movie is trying to show the darkness that always rears it's head in any "perfect" situation.
like, no matter how perfect or evolved or enlightened you've become, there's this dark mess underneath...
and the only way to prevent that to an extent is to live the way you see fit, freely, and not under someone else's forced ideals. that only creates unhappiness and suffering.

that's how i took it anyway. :)

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[–] marymorrissey 14 years ago

I don't think strand "does" films, they are a distributor. and ... they'll take anything, actually, if they can cut a deal making it worth their while

[–] noahtenzin 14 years ago

http://shareddarkness.com/2010/05/14/happiness-runs.aspx

^ Sounds like *bad* propaganda...

[–] bangersuper 14 years ago

Oh, When will corporate America stop releasing all these independent low budget movies disparaging hippies!?! They are literally everywhere. Don't they know Hippie's don't just talk about changing the world and then sit around, complain, fornicate and dabble in drugs; they actually change the world for the better all the time. When will Americans learn that capitalism is useless and doing nothing will solve all their problems? Sad.

[–] kpassa 14 years ago

If you want to see a real film about real hippies look for a movie called Rainbow Bridge, which would have vanished from circulation ages ago if it didn't include a concert by Jimi Hendrix in it. It looks like a bad parody but it's real life. If any of them are still alive they probably shake their heads at how they could have been so stupid. Corporate America doesn't need to disparage hippies, hippies do a fine job all by themselves.

[–] MarcDom7 14 years ago

I think this film is pretty far from the work of "corporate America."

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pd-42 14 years ago

anyone who liked this film should also like a film about the brainwashing perpetrated by david coresh and the davidians in waco, right???

[–] AtheistRevolution 14 years ago

What resistance? Corporations own you. I think people just pretty much accept it.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.